IMPORTANT: Rules for posting affiliate links in this forum - Page 20

koland · 10-14-2011, 09:42 PM

Bump to thread - new rule #6 added.

DuskyRose · 10-15-2011, 10:42 AM

6. Affiliate links within posts are only allowed for ebook deals.

What does that even mean?

BearMountainBooks · 10-15-2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuskyRose

6. Affiliate links within posts are only allowed for ebook deals.

What does that even mean?

It means I can't link to the Kindle with an affiliate link--so for example if I wanted to talk about the shiny new kindle 3g I just got for my birthday I can't use my associate code to link to it. (or Tea or makeup or anything like that.)

Personally I find all this gestapo-ism distasteful and disheartening. But it is what it is.

HarryT · 10-15-2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuskyRose

6. Affiliate links within posts are only allowed for ebook deals.

What does that even mean?

It means precisely what it says: that you can only post affiliate links for eBooks, and not for washing machines, toasters, or exercise bikes. What did you think it meant?

koland · 10-15-2011, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It means precisely what it says: that you can only post affiliate links for eBooks, and not for washing machines, toasters, or exercise bikes. What did you think it meant?

Harry,

I would like to suggest that you reconsider and allow ereader devices (again, only in the actual affiliate thread). I doubt they would get posted often.

Also, digital downloads (or, at least links to the actual deal codes) might be allowed: for example, links to Amazon for the various free music and instant video deals are not ebook deals, but I suspect several have taken advantage of them. Again, they don't occur often.

One question: are the KSO deals "ebook deals" or only if the deal itself involves an ebook? These do occur more often (every four days).

And, I'll assume that Kindle (or nook) games/apps are allowed (at least, the ones that are ereader specific, not general android apps). I actually appreciate that Arcdata finds those and posts them in her thread (not that I buy all of them).

I do see the need to keep washing machines and things you can't do on your ereader out of the threads and forum. Otherwise, you'll end up with groupon deals being posted, etc (of course, we would also learn which thread to ignore quite quickly, I'd assume).

It's easy enough to skip someone's affiliate thread, usually, just by going to the individual store and searching (although there are times this doesn't work, it usually suffices) or by lopping the affiliate signature off the link.

WT Sharpe · 10-15-2011, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuskyRose

6. Affiliate links within posts are only allowed for ebook deals.

What does that even mean?

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It means precisely what it says: that you can only post affiliate links for eBooks, and not for washing machines, toasters, or exercise bikes. What did you think it meant?

Like Harry says, it means that affiliate posts for items other than ebooks aren't allowed in the body of posts. You can, however, use affiliate links for "washing machines, toasters, or exercise bikes" in your signature, if you so desire.

DuskyRose · 10-15-2011, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It means precisely what it says: that you can only post affiliate links for eBooks, and not for washing machines, toasters, or exercise bikes. What did you think it meant?

I didn't have a clue what it meant, which is why I asked.

DuskyRose · 10-15-2011, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koland

One question: are the KSO deals "ebook deals" or only if the deal itself involves an ebook? These do occur more often (every four days).

Thanks for the answers, everyone.

And the answer for above would be helpful. Since I have several devices holding different libraries, I sometimes don't check my KSO for a week or more. I have been relying on posts here to let me know what offers are up and live so I don't miss anything good.

BearMountainBooks · 10-15-2011, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuskyRose

Thanks for the answers, everyone.

And the answer for above would be helpful. Since I have several devices holding different libraries, I sometimes don't check my KSO for a week or more. I have been relying on posts here to let me know what offers are up and live so I don't miss anything good.

Just sign up for Koland's site via email or go directly to the blog. She has a GREAT column on the right that tells you what the deals are and when they expire. I know this because I don't keep track either. So when I want to know if a new deal is out, I go to her site (there's a link in her sig line to Books on the Knob). Check the deals and go on about business. I get her email sent to my box daily and she tends to remind subscribers when a new deal is available and when one is about to expire.

DuskyRose · 10-15-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

Just sign up for Koland's site via email or go directly to the blog. She has a GREAT column on the right that tells you what the deals are and when they expire. I know this because I don't keep track either. So when I want to know if a new deal is out, I go to her site (there's a link in her sig line to Books on the Knob). Check the deals and go on about business. I get her email sent to my box daily and she tends to remind subscribers when a new deal is available and when one is about to expire.

Thanks, I'll have to look into that.

Blossom · 10-15-2011, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

Just sign up for Koland's site via email or go directly to the blog. She has a GREAT column on the right that tells you what the deals are and when they expire. I know this because I don't keep track either. So when I want to know if a new deal is out, I go to her site (there's a link in her sig line to Books on the Knob). Check the deals and go on about business. I get her email sent to my box daily and she tends to remind subscribers when a new deal is available and when one is about to expire.

We also have a thread for Kindle Special Offers in the Kindle forum.

petercreasey · 10-16-2011, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It means precisely what it says: that you can only post affiliate links for eBooks, and not for washing machines, toasters, or exercise bikes. What did you think it meant?

Harry, Its meaning is totally elusive...even after your "precise" explanation.

This place is getting difficult to understand/enjoy.

HarryT · 10-16-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petercreasey

Harry, Its meaning is totally elusive...even after your "precise" explanation.

This place is getting difficult to understand/enjoy.

I'm sorry to be dense, but I honestly don't see what's difficult to understand about it.

You CAN post affiliate links to eBooks.

You CANNOT post affiliate links to other things.

sufue · 10-16-2011, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koland

Harry,

I would like to suggest that you reconsider and allow ereader devices (again, only in the actual affiliate thread). I doubt they would get posted often.

Also, digital downloads (or, at least links to the actual deal codes) might be allowed: for example, links to Amazon for the various free music and instant video deals are not ebook deals, but I suspect several have taken advantage of them. Again, they don't occur often.

One question: are the KSO deals "ebook deals" or only if the deal itself involves an ebook? These do occur more often (every four days).

And, I'll assume that Kindle (or nook) games/apps are allowed (at least, the ones that are ereader specific, not general android apps). I actually appreciate that Arcdata finds those and posts them in her thread (not that I buy all of them).

I do see the need to keep washing machines and things you can't do on your ereader out of the threads and forum. Otherwise, you'll end up with groupon deals being posted, etc (of course, we would also learn which thread to ignore quite quickly, I'd assume).

It's easy enough to skip someone's affiliate thread, usually, just by going to the individual store and searching (although there are times this doesn't work, it usually suffices) or by lopping the affiliate signature off the link.

I agree completely with koland that it is pretty easy to learn which affiliate thread(s) to ignore, and would prefer things to stay the same and not have yet another rule. But, I can also understand a desire on the part of the moderators not to have to take up their time with wildly unrelated affiliate threads.

So, if the rules have to be expanded again (SIGH), moderators, please please please at least allow affiliate tags for e-book deals AND these other specific types that koland mentions. I have availed myself of e-reader deals, music/mp3 deal codes, and a couple of nook games/apps from this forum in the past, and if I had a KSO would almost certainly have used those too. I have not been offended at all by giving a "tip" to the affiliate poster, and suspect a lot of other folks have used similar links too, and not been offended either. In fact, I have a $1.99 mp3 compilation sitting hopefully on my wait list right now, waiting for the next little $1 or $2 mp3 Amazon code.

And yes, I know that strictly speaking these aren't books, but folks have seemed to use them without being upset in the past - no major "you're off topic" posts in the threads. And yes, I know there are other places to find these, but it was really nice to just get them as a "bonus" here, without having to look elsewhere. Eventually, if I keep having to look elsewhere and look elsewhere and look elsewhere, there won't be much point to looking here, and that would be really sad.

HarryT · 10-16-2011, 04:19 PM

We have changed the wording to "ebooks and ebook-related deals". Please note that this is not an additional rule - it simply codifies the description of this forum, which is "Find hot e-book deals and freebies, and other noteworthy e-books resources". The purpose of this forum has only ever been for deals and resources which are at least vaguely connected to ebooks and ebook readers. Yes, that would include such things as MP3 downloads, since many reading devices can play audiobooks and MP3s.

Hope that clarifies the situation.

10-14-2011, 09:42 PM	#286
koland Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,563 Karma: 8033155 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: TN, USA Device: kindle(all), nook, nookcolor, Sony, Kobo, epic, iphone, iPad, pc	Bump to thread - new rule #6 added.

10-15-2011, 10:42 AM	#287
DuskyRose Guru Posts: 756 Karma: 9209502 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Device: Boox Note Air3, Palma, K-Scribe, Eclipsa 2e, & Libra 2, Ipads	6. Affiliate links within posts are only allowed for ebook deals. What does that even mean?

10-16-2011, 04:19 PM	#300
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	We have changed the wording to "ebooks and ebook-related deals". Please note that this is not an additional rule - it simply codifies the description of this forum, which is "Find hot e-book deals and freebies, and other noteworthy e-books resources". The purpose of this forum has only ever been for deals and resources which are at least vaguely connected to ebooks and ebook readers. Yes, that would include such things as MP3 downloads, since many reading devices can play audiobooks and MP3s. Hope that clarifies the situation.