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Traffic Source, that was the buzz word of Adtech 2010. I heard it more than “Sustainable” in San Francisco and “let’s burn one” on 4-20.

With the nuances of Facebook and the total disregard for affiliates from Google, the affiliates in attendance there were looking for new traffic sources.

The pool of traffic online seems to be coming from the contextual market, in which there has been a huge resurgence of attention.  With InText.net coming out from DirectCPV and other contextual networks increasing their reach, hopefully affiliates are given options to generate traffic.

Of course, what really matters is ROI, in which further testing will prove if any of these will be profitable.

As always, I’m amazed at what you learn when you just shut your mouth and listen. When I walk through the aisles of Adtech, of course the exhibitors goal is to sell, sell, sell. But when you stop pitching and listen to where affiliates are coming from, you hear what they are saying.

From my experience, affiliates are some of the most innovative, intelligent and amazing people you’d ever meet.  And it’s always so cool just to hang out and listen to their concerns and what is really affecting them.

For me, this adtech was an excellent trip and I enjoyed seeing people I know and making some new contracts.

Good times!