Well it certainly took long enough. eBay is making what is expected to be an important move to boost, or at least support, profits while the economy slows.  In short, eBay will now move the 100,000+ eBay affiliates which earn income by helping the site generate sales, under an eBay-administered affiliate program. This is in contrast to what they have done in the past, which was to rely on ValueClick to handle the programs administration. That relationship has had an effect on eBay earnings and the company is now hoping to get a few extra dollars per transaction by moving it under the eBay umbrella.

What this also will do, is create a lot of work for all the eBay affiliates out there. As of May 1st, all eBay affiliates will have to update their affiliate links in order to be credited with affiliate sales.  Also note that this will not affect any of the other eBay properties like StubHub which up to this point are going to still use Commission Junction for their affiliate program administration.