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Affiliate Link Disclaimers

by Killer Joe
8 replies
I was just reading one of Dan Thies' (really like that guy ) emails and noticed he is now strutting an Affiate Linking Policy.

It basically spells out that any link you click through his pages may be an affiliate link which he may receive compensation for.

Is this something we need to be paying more attention to?

I have read a lot of scuttlebutt about big brother coming down hard on compensated reviews, blogs, and the like and was just wondering what others thought about the practice of putting ALDs on their webpages.

Any thoughts?

KJ
#affiliate #disclaimers #link
  • Profile picture of the author Matt Gannon
    I have been adding a disclaimer as well that basically tells the people that I do have affiliate links they will add tracking cookies and that I will be compensated if they purchase threw the link, I think its important to do it. I have not done it to the one in my sig but I have to other sites I am running. Better safe then sorry you don't want to be shut down, how many people even read disclaimers anyways besides internet marketers and "big brother"!
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  • Profile picture of the author TheRichJerksNet
    Hey Joe,
    Well I have always said what many sites are missing is Terms Of Service, Privacy Policies, Disclaimers, Contact Us, and Faq's ....

    There are many many sites in IM that does not have these but they are very important to have. Terms, Privacy, and Disclaimers are designed to help protect you, your members, and your visitors. The Faq's will help those that may be on the fence and do not feel like emailing the site owner, the Contact Us - you would be surprised at how many may want to do a JV with you but they have no way to contact you...

    James
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    • Profile picture of the author Killer Joe
      Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet View Post

      Hey Joe,
      Well I have always said what many sites are missing is Terms Of Service, Privacy Policies, Disclaimers, Contact Us, and Faq's ....

      There are many many sites in IM that does not have these but they are very important to have. Terms, Privacy, and Disclaimers are designed to help protect you, your members, and your visitors. The Faq's will help those that may be on the fence and do not feel like emailing the site owner, the Contact Us - you would be surprised at how many may want to do a JV with you but they have no way to contact you...

      James
      Hi James,

      I totally agree that contact info is king. I have a 1-800 number plastered all over my physical products site along with a local number, mail-to addy, etc.

      What I'm asking, though, are we as a group heading towards putting ALDs on our websites that sell affiliate products (unlike my physical prods site).

      I'm just curious if this will become a defacto practice, and how widespread are these disaclaimers already. Dan's was the first one I saw, and that guy is always ahead of the curve.

      KJ
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      • Profile picture of the author TheRichJerksNet
        Originally Posted by Killer Joe View Post

        Hi James,

        I totally agree that contact info is king. I have a 1-800 number plastered all over my physical products site along with a local number, mail-to addy, etc.

        What I'm asking, though, are we as a group heading towards putting ALDs on our websites that sell affiliate products (unlike my physical prods site).

        I'm just curious if this will become a defacto practice, and how widespread are these disaclaimers already. Dan's was the first one I saw, and that guy is always ahead of the curve.

        KJ
        Joe,
        It's the same thing that you see in many terms or privacy policies that state leaving this website by clicking on a link you are taking full responsibility of visiting that site and x domain's terms does not cover the thrid party site.

        So it is a practice that has went on for a long time.. it is just many do not impliment these terms or privacy.

        James
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  • Profile picture of the author Matt Gannon
    Might be a good idea too add a small disclaimer in e-mails with affiliate links as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author Matt Gannon
    Like James said, it's there to protect you and your customers, won't hurt your site in any way so why not add it just to be safe!
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan.Thies
    Thanks, Bill - I've always tried to disclose the relationship when there's an affiliate link. Honestly, I don't think it makes much difference in what people decide to do - I've written negative reviews with an affiliate link and still made money. Sometimes the world is baffling.

    My "hidden point" in adding the disclaimer today was that everyone should always assume that reviews are paid, influenced, etc.

    For example, Robert Scoble is supposedly this big thought leader in tech, but he doesn't just repeat whatever BS hype he's given by the companies that give him "special access," he amplifies it. That's why they give him access - because he's a tool.

    (that was probably a little harsh but I had to read a big steaming pile of Scoble last week for a project...)

    (that was probably a little harsh too.)

    Ain't no such thing as objective opinions. ;-)
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    • Profile picture of the author geolt7
      Originally Posted by Dan.Thies View Post

      Thanks, Bill - I've always tried to disclose the relationship when there's an affiliate link. Honestly, I don't think it makes much difference in what people decide to do - I've written negative reviews with an affiliate link and still made money. Sometimes the world is baffling.

      My "hidden point" in adding the disclaimer today was that everyone should always assume that reviews are paid, influenced, etc.

      For example, Robert Scoble is supposedly this big thought leader in tech, but he doesn't just repeat whatever BS hype he's given by the companies that give him "special access," he amplifies it. That's why they give him access - because he's a tool.

      (that was probably a little harsh but I had to read a big steaming pile of Scoble last week for a project...)

      (that was probably a little harsh too.)

      Ain't no such thing as objective opinions. ;-)
      I guess this is true to a very large extend.
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