Comments on: The affiliate links in blog posts debate

By: Kathy Pop

Kathy Pop — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:50:44 +0000

I don’t mind affiliaye links in posts, but it does affect how I judge the content that I read and am a little suspect if it’s “too good to be true” type of post.

One tip for those using affiliate links- create subdomains that redirect to the affiliate page, you could also register a domain for it and redirct or forward the domain to the affiliate page- no hosting needed. I do the first option for many of mine. I choose a main keyword as the subdomain name, then have it redirect to the affiliate site. The link is MUCH nicer and professional looking.Plus they get higher clickthrus

Anyone needing help w/ this, just contact me and I’ll be glad to show you how easy it really is. It only takes a min or two.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 02:17:43 +0000

(ulp) I just realized that the topic was affiliate links in blog POSTS, not blog COMMENTS.

I guess I was in "projecting" mode rather than listening mode that day.

DOH...!!!

By: Advice Network

Advice Network — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:17:15 +0000

Count me in as someone who thinks affiliate links in a blog are ok. I can’t see what the big deal is really. We aren’t talking about pop-ups here. It’s not like an affiliate link is annoying. If you point me to some book on Amazon, and I buy it, you deserve the money, and I’d rather you have that $1.00 (or whatever) than Jeff Bezos.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:56:56 +0000

I honestly don’t mind affiliate links in blogs, in fact I expect them most of the time. So long as the post holds true value in the content as well, I don\’t see what the issue is.

The same with AdSense, banners, etc. As long as the webmasters aren’t going nuts with it (your example of mesothelioma lawyers is a good one, unless of course, the entire blog IS about mesothelioma lawyers).

By: Wallace

Wallace — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 04:30:42 +0000

Problogger always insert affiliate links at his blog posts, such as seo book, amazon, tla etc…it is not a big issue for me.

By: Justin

Justin — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 04:30:41 +0000

I say do whatever you need to. If you need to put a link in an article to make some extra money go for it. If you want to write a post that makes certain adwords appear, do it. All I care about is that you can continue to write good content and I can easily read it. When you start putting flashing banners or other such distractions from the content then I might not read as much. But as long as the content is good and easy to read more power to you for making money at it!
p.s.
Many times the one person who speaks out about something is in the far minority of the issue. The vocal minority. Don’t assume that one comment is representative. If you get 50 comments all with the same slant you might start drawing some conclusions.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 04:20:05 +0000

I am a supporter of links in blog comments…in fact, of the whole No No-Follow concept. Personally, I’d like to see blog software rewritten so that we could use proper anchor text or at least a site title to be tied to the link instead of resorting to calling ourselves “Cheap Viagra” when we comment on a blog…which is somewhere beyond tacky…but happens ten thousand times a day.

However, in my mind, a link should go back to the commenter’s base of operations (i.e., a legitimate web site) instead of including an affiliate link in a blog comment space. I don’t care if the purpose of the site is mostly to sell some affiliate product. I still think it should be to a site, not someone else’s product. When I click on someone’s link, it’s because their comment interested me enough to want to know more about THEM…not the product they happen to be hawking at the moment.

So, while I didn’t read Dan’s original post, I’m at least partly in agreement with the sentiment. The other just looks like naked greed to me…which I don’t think helps anyone.

By: GnomeyNewt

GnomeyNewt — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 02:21:49 +0000

I have to agree that I don't mind and I thought that was normal for blogs even. If you are writing relevant content to your aff link, than why not include it?

I guess the main concern would be "You are only writing this great wonderful review to add your affiliate link". Certainly this could happen, but if the blog provides a lot of other useful information than probably they are just doing the same with the affiliate linked post as non-affiliate linked post.

On BlogStorm I've only felt that Patrick blogs about what he knows and what he has experienced, so if he recommends or affiliate links something it does not bother me a bit. He doesn't write to solely have a affiliate link displayed, clicked, and get a referral.

Also there are "click trackers" out there which I currently use to track clicks on all of my website for certain links, affiliate or not. Those might appear as affiliate links when they aren't. I think you should judge each blog and article you read, not just base one flat opinion on the entire subject.

By: SEO Optimization

SEO Optimization — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:19:34 +0000

I don’t care, and neither you should care. After all if someone does not want to click on a link because it is an affiliate reason, than PLEASE tell me why you would not click? And what if it was a random link, would you click?

I really can’t understand why people get criticized on what they are doing with their own blog? Okey, lets do it this way, Patrick will promise that he won’t be including affiliate links in his posts (links that maybe maintain the blog to remain live or even to upgrade to a better server) but every time we read Patricks blog we donate him $1 (it might not make sense to you, but if you think a bit on that you will understand what i mean).

By: DerekBeau

DerekBeau — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 23:29:41 +0000

I think if you write a post and link to a website that has an affiliate program, you have every write to use an affiliate link. If you feel uncomfortable about it just add some disclosure, such as “(aff)”, after the link. Those who care will know what it means.