Affiliate networks are in a dilemma as what to do with the affiliates that are not performing at all or are inactive since they have joined.

As networks continue to embrace the affiliates, there is one problem that has been demanding attention for some time. Popular affiliate networks have several thousand registered affiliates, but out of them very few are responsible for productive work or generating the revenue.

Recently, it has been debated among the affiliates that the number of affiliates should be restricted and some system should be devised to put on board only the active affiliates. The ratio of active versus the inactive affiliates or web site publishers is considerably high. In most cases it is about 15 per cent affiliates who are responsible for much of the revenue generation for the advertisers as well as the networks.

Some networks have started to put restriction on the open registration process that allowed anyone to join as an affiliate. Also, networks and advertisers are finding it hard to go through affiliate resources and individual web sites.

Affiliate resources or web resources of a publisher may vary to a large extent. Some web site owners have sites with a score of pages and yet others have portals of several hundred pages. Because, both of them are well promoted, they have a chance to deliver. But when it comes to productivity few affiliate sites are responsible for most of the conversions.

Affiliate networks have made changes in their programs and have put minimum standards for an affiliate to avail the service. Also, merchants and networks have extended the services for a particular time span. If an affiliate remains inactive beyond the specified time, his registration gets cancelled and therefore is not liable for any services.

Still, the measures seem to fall short as hundreds and thousands of affiliates remain inactive and their accounts continue to be maintained and managed by the networks.

Affiliate networks are also focusing on the top marketers and have expressed their wish for more interactive sessions and better relations with them. In some instances the networks have pledged the advertisers and the best performers to come forward and put forth any issues or grievances they might be harboring.