Expanding Securely: How AdPolice Helped Shopify and HubSpot Optimise Their Affiliate Programs

Introduction

Scaling an affiliate program is akin to walking a tightrope. Growth may be the ultimate objective, but without robust compliance measures, brands risk fraud, inefficiencies, and reputational damage. Shopify and HubSpot both found themselves at this critical juncture. As their affiliate programs expanded, so too did the risks.
That’s when they turned to AdPolice – a trusted partner that didn’t just identify compliance issues but revolutionised their affiliate management approach, transforming challenges into competitive advantages.

The Growth Dilemma: Challenges Faced by Shopify and HubSpot

For Shopify and HubSpot, success brought inevitable growing pains.
Shopify had to manage the complexity of an ever-expanding network of affiliates. As their program grew, so did the risks of fraudulent practices like ad-hijacking and brand bidding – issues that threatened the integrity of their entire affiliate channel.
HubSpot, on the other hand, faced a different challenge. Their emphasis on recruiting new partners and introducing innovative payout models such as “Leads” added layers of complexity to compliance. Striking a balance between growth and maintaining rigorous compliance demanded substantial resources and expertise.

As Mike from Shopify observed:

“Growth without compliance is unsustainable. You need the right guardrails in place.”

Recognising the need for a smarter approach, both brands sought a solution to scale safely and sustainably.

The AdPolice Solution: Turning Challenges into Opportunities

AdPolice entered the picture, bringing advanced tools and unparalleled expertise in affiliate compliance to the table.

For Shopify

AdPolice’s cutting-edge technology exposed fraudulent activities within Shopify’s affiliate program. Through detailed reporting, Shopify identified a network of affiliates exploiting a single Google Ads account for advanced ad-hijacking – manipulating performance metrics to their advantage. With the evidence provided, Shopify removed these bad actors, enhancing the overall quality and trustworthiness of their program.

For HubSpot

HubSpot faced a different issue but reaped equally transformative benefits. AdPolice streamlined what had been a labour-intensive, manual compliance process. By automating affiliate monitoring and flagging suspicious behaviour, AdPolice freed up HubSpot’s team to focus on strategic partner enablement and program growth.

Nancy from HubSpot shared her experience:

“AdPolice unmasked an organization using a single Google Ads account to run fraudulent campaigns. Removing them raised program quality overnight.”

Summing up the overall value, she added:
“We took a manual process and handed it to experts. It was a no-brainer.”

The Business Impact: Measurable Benefits

Partnering with AdPolice delivered results that extended well beyond fraud prevention. Shopify and HubSpot experienced a transformative impact across their affiliate programs:

• Enhanced Reputation: Rigorous compliance attracted serious, high-quality affiliates who aligned with their brand values.
• Improved Efficiency: By eliminating fraudulent affiliates, both brands reduced unnecessary ad spend and optimized resources.
• Empowered Partners: Legitimate affiliates thrived, driving sustainable and scalable program growth.

As Mike from Shopify put it:
“Compliance isn’t just about removing bad actors – it’s about empowering your best affiliates to thrive.”

Key Takeaways for Affiliate Managers

The journeys of Shopify and HubSpot offer invaluable lessons for affiliate managers:

1. Compliance Drives Growth: Rather than being a hindrance, compliance serves as the foundation for sustainable scaling.
2. Invest in the Right Tools: Leveraging solutions like AdPolice saves time, mitigates fraud, and enhances program quality.
3. Adopt a Proactive Stance: Fraud prevention and compliance demand ongoing vigilance. Reactive strategies alone aren’t sufficient in a competitive marketplace.

A Partnership Built for Success

AdPolice didn’t just address the compliance challenges faced by Shopify and HubSpot – it enabled them to transform their affiliate programs into benchmarks of integrity and growth. With fraud detection, automation, and expert support, both brands achieved superior performance, stronger partnerships, and long-term success.

Are you ready to scale your affiliate program while protecting your brand? Discover how AdPolice can help you achieve your goals.