By heine on
As a sister topic of http://drupal.org/node/166331 :
I've noticed a large number of affiliate links in this forum. I see those links as ads, spam and, when in reply to a question, as lying to the OP. While such links are often treated as spam atm, a clear statement might be in order.
What is your opinion?
Comments
in general - no - for the association, ok
My feeling is that in general people posting affiliate links is bad - certainly bad if they don't disclose the fact that the link is an affiliate link.
On the other hand, my understanding is that drupalbook.com and the drupal books page both use affiliate links that benefit the Drupal association. So, affiliate links might be an option for the association to explore at some point in the future (though maybe not). But that's a totally different discussion. I just don't want a blanket "no affiliate links" since we already have them in some parts of Drupal.org
If it were up to me: No affiliate links on Drupal.org with the reservation that Drupal Association can decide to add links that benefit them later if they want.
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Morris Animal Foundation
IMO, affiliate links in
IMO, affiliate links in signature should be okay.... but such links shouldn't be used as part of the message posting.
I agree with greggles
+1 to that idea...
Yes, affiliate links are indeed a part of the world of hosting (as others have said), but that doesn't mean that we have to turn this/these forums into a marketing playground like the rest of the internet.
I think that only affiliate links (and advertising) which directly benefit the Association should be tolerated. That is a very clear policy, and doesn't really harm anyone (and it potentially helps the D.A), and it removes any incentive for shady linking/advertising/spam practices in this forum.
stop the spammers
I have no problem with affiliate links, they're part of life in the modern internet economy, and generally don't hurt anyone. Most affiliates are good people. In my opinion, if you're giving out solid advice, there's no issue.
What I don't like is spammers starting new topics just to advertise a hosting company, or bumping 3 month old threads with nothing except spam. That's abusive. And from what I've seen it's not usually affiliates doing this, but rather SEO/marketing types/hired guns working directly for the ISP (this thread, for example).
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John Forsythe
Blamcast - Custom theme design and more...
The problem is that lends to
The problem is that lends to a gray area. I don't like affiliate links, but I also don't like thinking of people policing them when they could be perhaps doing more productive things.
By making it impossible (or
By making it impossible (or at the very least, frowned upon) to post affiliate links, people are unable to show support for a particular product or service while at the same time reaping a small reward for their service in doing so. Now it is true that some people use affiliate links incorrectly, but thats no excuse for an outright ban. Thats like saying that people should not be able to own guns since, in the wrong hands, they are dangerous. So are cars...
I dont agree in posting links for the sake of posting links. Thats not right and is spam, however, I DO believe that my hosting provider SimpleHost is a great fit for people using Drupal and with a tight buget. They are cheap, reliable, and can help diagnose problems (they understand Drupal).
Best regards, Derek Webb
http://makefunds.com
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Ads and affiliate links
Considering this post and a similar post ( http://drupal.org/node/166331 ) have been up for some time, there really hasn't been a groundswell of replies. Although, some clearer guidelines might be in order...I'm going to argue that due to the lack of responses to this question...this really seems to be a non-issue.
Personally, I don't see it as a problem to put an affiliate link in your signature. I also don't see it as a problem, when asked for, to promote a service or product you are associated with as a possible solution. As long as the replies are helpful, unobtrusive, and within context of the discussion it appears to me that most visitors to Drupal.org don't have a problem. We all know comment spam when we see it and comment spam can be dealt with without a complete ban on affiliate links. Perhaps it's time to close out: http://drupal.org/node/166209 ?
Bryan
CMSReport
I am strictly against ads
I am strictly against ads and affiliate links in Hosting Companies topic. The value of this topic is that Drupal users, as independent customers, share their experience about using different hosters. I came about a year ago here and found a great hosting plan. And probably many people did the same. If we allow this topic to be swamped by ads, and affiliate links, it will become useless.
Hi, I am new to this forum,
Hi, I am new to this forum, but the personal rule I follow in other forums is that I add a "attention-referral link ;-)" when I post one. That makes things clearer, just my 2c, SY
I can't really say that I'm
I can't really say that I'm completely against affiliate links in posts. Most of the time I just consider them bad form and put a mental sad face around the user that posted it. If I do want to follow a link with an affiliate code, I usually just copy/paste the link and delete the code.
What I do prefer is that if people do post an affiliate link, they announce that fact and then leave a non-affiliated link to the site. In cases like that, I'm more willing to click the affiliate link.
Now if a person consistently uses affiliate links - over and over - they should be considered spammers and dealt with appropriately.
But I haven't seen all to many of the affiliate links here, and I don't see it as a major problem.
~silverwing
___________________________
MisguidedThoughts | tvTonight
Worse than Direct Affiliate Links
Affiliate links may or may not be considered spam, but one thing is sure people who use hidden affiliate links.
e.g. Url redirectors from their site which redirect to the affiliate link.
For example look at this guy (JohnForsythe):
http://drupal.org/user/101901
And here are some of his posts:
http://drupal.org/node/205195
http://drupal.org/node/201606#comment-689542
The choice should be given to the forum members to decide whether to follow the affiliate links or not.
But if used in such a devious manner.. it misleads and takes away that choice as well..
Steve
Misleading?
All your links amount to affiliate links, considering you work there. You're virtually a walking ad. Even your user name spouts "Drupal Value Hosting!". Not to mention you've already been warned for spamming the forum.
No one has ever complained to me about my links. You're the first. But that couldn't possibly be because you work for a competitor, right?
PS: Have you done anything except promote your services since you signed up? I write tutorials, release themes, report critical security issues, and help in the support forum. Furthermore, I donate to Drupal and I'm a member of the Drupal Association.
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John Forsythe
I agree there, [quote]What I
I agree there,
[quote]What I do prefer is that if people do post an affiliate link, they announce that fact[/quote]
If someone posts an affiliate link, it should be stated that it is an affiliated link or it would be taking advantage of users (If I knew there were stealthed links of any kind lying around drupal.org, I'd probably not have ever joined or returned.)
I certainly am not happy to find that out and am now less likely to click links of any kind (for security reasons) no matter who posted them or what they lead to.
In my opinion it's ok
Hello, I am new to the site,
But in my opinion it's ok to use afiliate likes, it's not like someone is taking money from you. they are just getting extra bonus for referring you to a certian services.
It used to bother me but i reliazed it wasn't a big deal.
-- Motti
Afordable Hosting and Design Solutions - Horesh Studios
NO affiliate links because
NO affiliate links because the people who are putting the link looses there credibility. Most of the reviews are biased and people just put them to drop there links. Just see the hostgator reviews in all respective forums for example :sigh:
Stop those
Stop those things!
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I'm Ok with...
Paid advertising as long as it's clearly stated; which it is. As for affiliate links in a post, personally I think they should either be part of the signature, or clearly stated as an affiliate link. I don't mind using affiliate links and actually like to support people & organization that help me by using them. Drupal should have an Amazon affiliate and I'd add them to my start from rotation ;-)
Shari