Content on AC is submitted by a Content Producer (CP), and can be accessed through the CP's page, as well as through searches and directories. Content can refer to anything published on the Associated Content website, and can be about nearly any topic. Content may be submitted for upfront payment consideration, and can earn a performance bonus based on the number of views it received. AC can be used at no charge to submit fiction, poetry, and some other topics, providing an outlet for aspiring writers to create an online portfolio of their work.
Articles are often short, and even front page subjects tend to be only 400-500 words. Plagiarism is not tolerated by the site.
Associated Content guidelines and a group of vocal Content Producers direct new CPs to create keyword-heavy short articles that will rate high on Google searches and will attract Google Adsense advertisements. The focus of content-creation seemingly is on creating a medium for ads, with each article serving as a platform for specific ads appropriate to the subject. Articles that cannot prove effective as an ad-platform are discouraged, according to site participants, as they will not get cash payment offers or good placement on the site.
Payment
Immediately after registering, Content Producers on AC have the option of submitting their work for payment consideration to AC, which can opt to pay the CP for their Content if AC chooses. After an article, or other content is submitted, a Content Manager will email the CP either a payment offer or a rejection notice within whenever they decide. CPs are free to accept the offer, decline and resubmit improved Content, or resubmit with no changes or decline the offer entirely. Articles that a CM (Content Manager) rejects can also be published without pay (although CPs have the option of publishing immediately if no payment is desired). Articles are typically made payment offers based on quality and keyword optimization, and will usually be offered payment ranging from $3 to $10. Associated Content pays Content Producers via PayPal on various days of the week, although payments may occasionally be made on extra days when the volume of submissions is very high. Some content producers complain that they do not receive cash offers after their first few articles, and that some Content Managers are slow in reviewing articles.
Non-Text Content
In addition to text content (articles), Associated Content also has categories for video and audio content, and payment consideration for these types of content is also available to Content Producers.
Associated Content caters only to US citizens or permanent residents, who are the only users (Content Producers) who can receive payment for their Content due to tax law considerations. International Content Providers (non US citizens/residents) can provide content, but are eligible only for performance payments.
