Acknowledging Affiliate Links
I just got done reading Credibility and Affiliate Links over at Performancing and have to admit I have no idea where this guy is coming from. My confusion starts here:
And I still stopped using affiliate links after initial feedback. Thinking back on this issue, I wonder how I could ever feel like including them was OK. Credibility! You should never, ever mix ads and content. And affiliate links are a form of “sponsorship.” Never, ever. Even if Amazon would pay well, this isn’t worth it.
If I am writing a review of a videogame over at Insert 25 why would not disclosing that the Amazon link is an affiliate link going to ruin my credibility? As long as my review is honest and isn’t trying to convince someone to buy a crappy game then is there really any harm in not saying that I am using an affiliate link?
Better yet, does it ruin my chances of someone buying that game through my link if I don’t tell them it’s an affiliate link? I always thought that you need to only disclose affiliate links if you are being slimey, but then again if you are being slimey you would never disclose them in the first place.
I just don’t get it.
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POSTED IN: Affiliate Marketing
14 opinions for Acknowledging Affiliate Links
Sam
Nov 21, 2005 at 4:16 am
I saw this method once (can’t remember where) and like the idea. If you write a blog entry reviewing something and add the affiliate link at the bottom, label it as such. Then below it offer an affiliate-free link to the same page. Says the to reader “I’m not just linking to get the affiliate fee” but also “be nice and click the affiliate link, won’t you?”
Kyle
Nov 21, 2005 at 5:03 am
If users care more about how I link somewhere than what I’m writing about, I’m not sure I want them to be my readers. I think there’s a big line distingushing “advertising” and adding in completely non-obtrusive affiliate links.
Charles
Nov 21, 2005 at 5:13 am
I’m not one of these people who cares a great deal either way, but I think the point here is that if you are making money from affiliate links how does the reader know if you’re being honest in your review of the game (to use your example)…the problem being that you have an incentive to try and get people to buy the game.
You might know that you’re being honest, but how do the readers know that? I am pretty sure Jason Calacanis would echo these same thoughts.
Tom
Nov 21, 2005 at 7:49 am
Does the casual blog reader care that your using an affliate link? I think not. I link to things on amazon anyway, why not make some money from it.
Mike
Nov 21, 2005 at 9:58 am
Those that think this way are a very vocal minority, much like Al Sharpton is.
Here’s a very simple thought on them, ” Who cares what they think ?”
Just because Paris Hilton opens her mouth doesn’t mean what comes out is worth hearing.
Opinions are like a**holes…we all got one. I just proved it.
Really…are you gonna not have links because a reader said they don’t like ‘em ?
Well, I don’t like photos on blogs. Take it off. It ruins credibility when I see you’re a pencil necked geek.
What if a reader tells you to go jump off a bridge..are you gonna do that, too.
When the inmates start running the asylum, I’m leaving.
Jonathan Snook
Nov 21, 2005 at 10:13 am
Think back to the whole Marqui fiasco where bloggers were paid to talk about a product. (http://www.molly.com/2005/01/28/marqui-challenging-the-model/) There were all sorts of ethical issues that were raised and I see them as no different than affiliate links. In either case, the author receives a financial reward for talking about a product or service. How do I know that your discussion of a topic isn’t JUST to create affiliate links and to drive up your revenue? There’s a trust issue at play here.
It’s the same thing in the print business. Magazines and newspapers walk that line and have to be very careful about what advertising they take on and any reviews of that product.
People had issue with the pre-release buzz of Mint because you had a group of people all praising a product. Their financial reward being a free copy of the software. It raises doubt. In this case, the reviewers really did seem to enjoy the product and were initially unaware they would receive a free copy but the reviews were all praise and one-sided and no disclosure was provided.
blogging.wurk.net » Blog Archive » Once upon a time, blogging was about writing.
Nov 21, 2005 at 10:40 am
[…] Just caught this post on Performancing.com about credibility and affiliate links, via Scrivs. […]
Nick Wilson
Nov 21, 2005 at 10:48 am
Hi,
FWIW, i believe Philipp qualified his statements by saying it depends on the type of site. I *think* his point was more geared toward news sites.
I countered some of that argument (ie. i agree with you in general) here: http://performancing.com/node/170
Thanks for noticing the article!
Chris
Nov 21, 2005 at 12:43 pm
I think that by now, most savvy readers understand that you are probably attempting to monetize your site. I don’t have ANY problems with that whatsoever, and frankly, what’s the harm in friends clicking on your ads/affiliate links to help you out. I look at it like an e-tip jar.
And I think readers ought to want to help you fill it up.
Michael Cohen
Nov 21, 2005 at 3:40 pm
At this point I just automatically assume the link will be an affiliate link and if the site from which I came is the reason I buy, why should I care?
melody
Nov 21, 2005 at 6:25 pm
God. I must be Satan in that guy’s book. I have an amazon link to almost every movie I review on Hollyshow. I don’t expect to make any money from it, just wanted to like to the option to purchase each movie. If I do get some commision from it, then oh well, right?
Matt Brett
Nov 21, 2005 at 11:41 pm
I agree that there’s no harm in affiliate or sponsorship links within content - hidden or not, as long as they are practicable.
I recently started adding Amazon products (boxes and all) on my game reviews. Mainly because I want to bulk up my reviews with as many useful extras I can. Since I tend to review brand new games, there’s a good chance people might buy them. So why not give them a direct avenue to do so - and hey, if I make a couple bucks on the side from it, all the better. However, I would never slant my review in order to try and sell the product.
City SEO/M
Jun 20, 2006 at 9:52 pm
I’m leaving space to get attention…
The simple reason you should disclose that something is a part of an affiliate program (be it a text link, banner, button, etc.) is to make clear that there could be a conflict of interest, so that your readers can take what you say and assess it critically.
It’s kind of a “buyer beware, there may be a conflict of interest” sign.
Snabblänkar 14/9 - 2006
Sep 14, 2006 at 6:41 pm
[…] Acknowledging Affiliate Links “ I just got done reading Credibility and Affiliate Links over at Performancing and have to admit I have no idea where this guy is coming from… ” [WorkBoxers] […]
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