Considering Google’s move to re-launch DoubleClick’s Performics ad affiliate network under the title of Google Affiliate Network, it only makes sense that maintaining the Adsense Referrals Programme seems pointless. An official e-mail has been sent (it would be safe to say to all AdSense members) stating that as of the last week of August, Google will be retiring the Adsense Referrals Programme.

Google has also offered two alternatives for the Adsense publishers who are currently implementing the Adsense Referrals programme. They are:

1. Google Affiliate Network: This is perhaps an obvious option as the result of the deal between Google and DoubleClick- for the advertisers who are targeting users located in the US, the DoubleClick Performics Affiliate Network will now operate as the Google Affiliate Network. Publishers will be able to apply for advertiser programs and instead of clicks or impressions, get paid based on advertiser-defined actions, similar to the Adsense Referrals programme.
2. AdSense for content ads: The user may replace the referral ad units with the standard AFC ad unit if, they have less than three AdSense for content ad units on a page.