Forum auto amazon affiliate link disclosure

[Syntaxvgm]

I just noticed when I put clean amazon links on here, like 

https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Ethernet-Cable-White-Connectors/dp/B00WD017GQ/

it's changed to 

https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Ethernet-Cable-White-Connectors/dp/B00WD017GQ/?tag=linus21-20

in the link location, but NOT link text. 

 

Why isn't this practice disclosed anywhere? I get it, but a little transparency would be nice, as it is it seems to be set up in a sneaky way. I mean, you basically are making money from users on here recommending stuff, not LMG itself. At least throw a mention somewhere in the forum information. This, coming from a guy who's always thrown money at the site monthly for no reason. 

[Enderman]

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B005FUHTDG

[Enderman]

Huh, and it doesn't show up in the posted link text, only in the URL when you click on it.

That's kinda shady.

[Syntaxvgm]

Just now, Enderman said:

Huh, and it doesn't show up in the posted link, only in the URL when you click on it.

That's kinda shady.

that's what I mean by link text. 

[Enderman]

7 minutes ago, Syntaxvgm said:

that's what I mean by link text. 

Yeah I just had to try it myself with an actual link....

I wonder if this violates the amazon agreement in some way like when they asked people to bookmark links?

[Syntaxvgm]

Just now, Enderman said:

Yeah I just had to try it myself with an actual link....

I wonder if this violates the amazon agreement in some way like when they asked people to bookmark links?

Possibly, I know they want you to disclose you are an affiliate, but a lot of blogs don't do that for example. 

[colonel_mortis]

I can't remember whether the hook point that is used to implement it actually supports updating the text of the link. However, the link is only updated after the post is submitted, so if it changed the text of the link it might, in some situations, not be desired behaviour by the poster (for example, the link might look much neater without the affiliate code), though I accept that in the majority of cases this isn't something that people will be particularly bothered by.

It is something that I will consider changing for the next update, subject to technical constraints, approval, etc.

 

Would it change anything to know that the link uses the LTT affiliate code though?

[Syntaxvgm]

Just now, colonel_mortis said:

I can't remember whether the hook point that is used to implement it actually supports updating the text of the link. However, the link is only updated after the post is submitted, so if it changed the text of the link it might, in some situations, not be desired behaviour by the poster (for example, the link might look much neater without the affiliate code), though I accept that in the majority of cases this isn't something that people will be particularly bothered by.

It is something that I will consider changing for the next update, subject to technical constraints, approval, etc.

Don't change it, just disclose it. Talk with luke about it maybe. As long as it's disclosed and it's not violating the amazon affiliate rules, seems like an easy harmless way to make money.

[Syntaxvgm]

4 minutes ago, colonel_mortis said:

Would it change anything to know that the link uses the LTT affiliate code though?

Yes. For one, I'm pretty sure the rules require it. Also it's just a general transparency thing. Doing anything in a 'hidden' way is not the way to do it, when throwing something about it somewhere is all you need to seem on the straight about things. In fact, I'm pretty sure a lot of people around here would be happy to know that. "Hey they're making money off of me, cool."

If it's disclosed, there's no reason for people like me to get butthurt about it. 

[Tsuki]

holy shit yea that super shady guys...

although mostly harmless, and it makes you guys money, even if it wasnt required to disclose it for affiliate reasons..

 

its an undisclosed link redirect, not okay

[vanished]

I never realized people didn't know about this, I've seen it happening for ages now...

[ItsMitch]

misread OP

[BuckGup]

Never had a clue and I agree with others. I am 100% ok with it just tell us about it

[vanished]

Well, I don't think it was ever a conscious effort to cover it up (I mean, it would be obvious to anyone who checks their links before clicking which you should be doing anyway), they just never made an official announcement about it when this was added.

[ItsMitch]

2 minutes ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

it would be obvious to anyone who checks their links before clicking

Why would anyone check the link for an affiliate code? It was pretty obvious that it was hiding in the affiliate code, like look at that, the URL looks fine to me. 

 

On 11/26/2017 at 12:28 AM, Enderman said:

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B005FUHTDG

 

[vanished]

6 minutes ago, SC2Mitch said:

Why would anyone check the link for an affiliate code? It was pretty obvious that it was hiding in the affiliate code, like look at that, the URL looks fine to me. 

 

 

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B005FUHTDG

 

Totally safe amazon link

[SansVarnic]

I am pretty sure Linus and Luke have mentioned multiple time that the link includes the affiliate and that they do get a small kickback. At least that I can recall from past videos.

I would have to go back a re-watch some videos.

[AMDNeko]

59 minutes ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B005FUHTDG

 

Totally safe amazon link

   Oh woe is me now I have a virus and need to format windows. Its even evolving! on that note even if its disclosed how many of us will take the time to find the disclosure in the tos? Running forums are not free and its better than serving ads for non FP members.

[vanished]

Just now, PPCs-Kat said:

   Oh woe is me now I have a virus and need to format windows. Its even evolving! on that note even if its disclosed how many of us will take the time to find the disclosure in the tos? Running forums are not free and its better than serving ads for non FP members.

You're probably right, even if it was mentioned in the FAQ or in the affiliates thread, which btw I agree with people here it really should be, few if any would read it or notice and there would probably still be complaints.

[WkdPaul]

4 hours ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

I never realized people didn't know about this, I've seen it happening for ages now...

Maybe it has to do with the fact that we're mods but I thought this was mentioned before and was a known behavior (it's been like this for a while now).

[vanished]

24 minutes ago, wkdpaul said:

Maybe it has to do with the fact that we're mods but I thought this was mentioned before and was a known behavior (it's been like this for a while now).

Idk, I can't say I recall hearing or seeing it explicitly mentioned at any point, but like I said I did notice a long time ago.

I've already said everything once but I'll repeat for clarity I guess in case anyone is confused

I do agree this should be mentioned somewhere

However, I don't expect many would notice or care, and moreover I'm surprised how it has gone unnoticed for so long, especially considering this is a tech forum

[Keystone Nyan Cat]

I agree that this should be disclosed somewhere, but cannot for the life of me figure out where in a way that's non-intrusive and scares people off. Rather- if it's not already done so- mention it during signup.

 

Also- I acknowledge that some people (including myself) may not want links changed in any way; even if it results in a direct monetary benefit to a creator we love- in this case Linus. Perhaps make the system an opt-out one (people are by default inside this program where their Amazon links have their endings changed to be affiliate codes for Linus, but can toggle a setting under their account information to disable this).

 

That way- those who can be bothered enough/ dislike the link manipulation can simply opt out, effectively solving this problem  

[GDRRiley]

2 minutes ago, Keystone Nyan Cat said:

I agree that this should be disclosed somewhere, but cannot for the life of me figure out where in a way that's non-intrusive and scares people off. Rather- if it's not already done so- mention it during signup.

 

Also- I acknowledge that some people (including myself) may not want links changed in any way; even if it results in a direct monetary benefit to a creator we love- in this case Linus. Perhaps make the system an opt-out one (people are by default inside this program where their Amazon links have their endings changed to be affiliate codes for Linus, but can toggle a setting under their account information to disable this).

 

That way- those who can be bothered enough/ dislike the link manipulation can simply opt out, effectively solving this problem  

it sounds like its embedded in the code and the devs aren't sure where it is. I find it fine as many amazon links are from PCpartpicker. Also would it be the poster or the link clicker?

[vanished]

36 minutes ago, Keystone Nyan Cat said:

I agree that this should be disclosed somewhere, but cannot for the life of me figure out where in a way that's non-intrusive and scares people off. Rather- if it's not already done so- mention it during signup.

 

Also- I acknowledge that some people (including myself) may not want links changed in any way; even if it results in a direct monetary benefit to a creator we love- in this case Linus. Perhaps make the system an opt-out one (people are by default inside this program where their Amazon links have their endings changed to be affiliate codes for Linus, but can toggle a setting under their account information to disable this).

 

That way- those who can be bothered enough/ dislike the link manipulation can simply opt out, effectively solving this problem  

 

33 minutes ago, GDRRiley said:

it sounds like its embedded in the code and the devs aren't sure where it is. I find it fine as many amazon links are from PCpartpicker. Also would it be the poster or the link clicker?

As a clicker, you can opt out by copying the link location, pasting it, deleting the end, and then continuing on to the location, if you really hate it so much that you want to go to that much extra effort just to deprive LTT of some free cash

[79wjd]

Wait, so what happens if someone pastes an affiliate link (which I know is against TOS), does it get redirected to LTT's referral link or does it not get attached to pasted referral links?