What do I mean? Well, sometimes, links can be more than just a link. They are “referral” or “affiliate” links. These links basically have some incentive offer given to the website owners, for example, a commission of sales, some dollar value per click, etc. These can be hidden.
For example, consider these two links: Link 1 and Link 2
Can you tell which one is the affiliate link? (Answer below and an explanation)
Granted, I am a personal finance blogger, so on occassion I’m tempted to slip in a referral link when I’m writing about certain topics and there happens to be one, but I usually don’t. I feel sort of like I’m trying to slip one by my readers. On one hand, I understand the argument that there’s nothing wrong, it’s just a link to the site…I’m suggesting they visit, so I should get credit. On the other hand, if the author is intentionally writing something to try and sneak a profit, that’s wrong.
I don’t think people really talk about it…but what’s your thoughts on this? Ethical? Non-ethical?
Loading ...
Answer below…
Link 1 is the affiliate link. If you watch your browser carefully as you put your mouse over the link, you’ll notice the address to where the link will take you. If you notice, one link has ‘?a=2989′ appended to it, while the other does not. The ‘?a=2989′ is the affiliate part of the link that identifies who the referrer is. In this case, 2989 = me!
BTW, don’t forget to vote on my last poll, What’s working from home worth?
Flexo
September 1, 2006 at 7:05 am
The best choice is for writers to be upfront and honest with their readers. Blogging shouldn’t be approached as a get rich quick scheme, but it takes all kinds…
Kira
September 1, 2006 at 7:47 am
I don’t like it when the links aren’t identified – but I do try, if I found out about something through a particular blogger, to go back and use their referral link. (for instance, when I signed up for DealBarbie, I knew I had found out about it through MoneyDummy, so I went back to her site and used her link.) I consider this both supporting them and as reward for finding me a great service. I also click on Adsense ads on bloggers I want to support. It’s free for me, and gets them a buck. However, I don’t think it’s cool to sign up with 40 different ad companies or referral services and plaster them all over your site – then you look like you are writing content just so people will visit your site and make a buck.
Financial Freedumb and Brownie - A PF Blog » Friday! Update: Stirfry Donkeys Succeed Podcasting How To Be Poor Diamond Highlights 09.01.2006
September 1, 2006 at 8:12 am
[...] Latest Comments Kira on Poll: Are You Offended By Non-Disclosed Referral Links? [...]
ETF Guy
September 1, 2006 at 8:26 am
I assume all links from a blog or web site are affiliate links. So they don’t bother me, but I do like being told upfront. If not, I’m often inclined to strip out the affiliate code just out of spite
freedumb
September 1, 2006 at 8:27 am
Flexo, I agree 100%. Honesty is the number one policy.
Kira, Yeah, I hear ya. I try to give credit where it’s due…sometimes I lose track though. I do feel more likely to try something when I know the author has disclosed everything.
freedumb
September 1, 2006 at 8:33 am
ETF Guy, Hah…That’s what I do sometimes too.
udandi
September 1, 2006 at 4:34 pm
Like ETF guy, I assume all company-like blog links are for referrals.
I am far more inclined to not visit a blog with tiny font than I am with too many referrals links (but it’s a vision thing)!
freedumb
September 1, 2006 at 9:55 pm
udandi, Interesting…maybe I’m overly sensitive to the whole thing…I’ve always felt a little bothered when links are not disclosed as referral links for some reason. Looks like so far, out of six votes
, it doesn’t bother anyone…I hope I get more input…I’m really curious how more readers react.
BTW, I’ve added you to my blogroll.
udandi
September 5, 2006 at 11:53 am
Well, I guess because so many of the PF blogs are trying to monetarize their blogs with ads, referrals and the like that any time a link looks like it is to a company, I figure it is a referral. Does that make me a glass half empty-type of person?!
I’m going to post about this…
Thanks for the add, I thought I had you on mine, but I will now!
Financial Freedumb and Brownie - A PF Blog » 2006 » September » 08
September 7, 2006 at 11:51 am
[...] VancouverGurl on Thank You: Best Friend Top 5 Posts Is Personal Finance Big Enough For So Many Bloggers? (163)Poll: Are You Offended By Non-Disclosed Referral Links? (98)Thank You: Best Friend (97)Net Worth 08.2006 [+$7,546.35, +3.65%] (91)Why Redeem My ThankYou Points For Amazon.com Gift Certificates? (88) Recent 10 Posts [...]