As most of you probably know, GrownUpGeek.com was published by Google as one of their Adsense Success Stories due to our success with Firefox w/Google Toolbar referrals.  Back when the success story was published we were generating a few thousand dollars per month in Adsense Firefox referrals and because of our success with FF referrals I was sometimes referred to as The Firefox Referral King – a nickname I often helped to perpetuate myself.

Since that time way back in 2006 our traffic sources had changed quite a bit, and Firefox was no longer earning what it was – but it was still bringing in $500 – $1,000 per month right up until Google put an end to the Firefox referral program (and all referrals) a few weeks ago.  There was some talk and speculation that Google might start paying for Firefox referrals again via their new acquisition of DoubleClick.com, but with the release of Google’s new “Firefox killer” – Chrome, I doubt they’ll want to pay people to use Firefox.

So what is a Firefox Referral King to do?

I’ve gotten several emails from people asking what money-making affilliate or product we were going to push instead of Firefox now that Google isnt paying anymore, and the simple answer is: None

We are still promoting Firefox, the very same way we have been for the last 2.5 years, only now we are doing it via the (non commercial – FREE) SpreadFireFox.com program.  We only signed up a week or two ago, and already we are #41 on the top affilliates list, so I guess we’re doing pretty good.   I think if we get 1,000,000 downloads I get a free T-Shirt or something.  Not quite as good as what Google was paying, but hey, it’s a product we really belive in so it’s worth it (almost).  Another nice thing is that I can say “hey, click on my Firefox button and download Firefox!” without fear of getting banned by Google – and the referral buttons are prettier too.