While more often than not, mergers are perceived as a really bad thing for consumers. It is just the way people perceive it I suppose. However, when I heard the news about LinkShare and WebSideStory, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that their coming together in a partnership will not hurt consumers so much as give them some options they might not have had otherwise. Sounds like a great move for all involved.

Internet affiliate marketing leader LinkShare and San Diego-based WebSideStory said this morning that the two companies have partnered to integrate their web analytics solutions. WebSideStory’s HBX web analytics solution will be integrated into LinkShare’s reporting environment, adding in-depth, channel specific data to LinkShare’s customers. The web analytics software allows companies to analyze their online visitors and tune their online marketing efforts. LinkShare’s customers use the service to manage their affiliate marketing efforts, where they pay a percentage of sales to affiliates who push traffic and sales to their stores.