Does YouTube Truly Allow Affiliate Links?

13 years ago

I believe its okay to have affiliate links on your own videos, they just don't want you spamming the other members directly

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James Liberty

13 years ago

Originally Posted by chilidawg

I believe its okay to have affiliate links on your own videos, they just don't want you spamming the other members directly

From what I could tell, they also don't want spammy-looking videos on the site -- not just spammy e-mails.

In other words, if you create a 5-second video that does nothing but flash your website or affiliate link, they will probably remove it.

But what about simply adding an affiliate link in the description box beneath a high-quality video? This is what I am trying to find out.

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chilidawg

13 years ago

Originally Posted by James Liberty

From what I could tell, they also don't want spammy-looking videos on the site -- not just spammy e-mails.

In other words, if you create a 5-second video that does nothing but flash your website or affiliate link, they will probably remove it.

But what about simply adding an affiliate link in the description box beneath a high-quality video? This is what I am trying to find out.

That was my thought. Putting a link box on a good video. Seems like most have them and I think Youtube actually gives you the ability to add them.

I think you're probably right though about just putting one on a junk video.

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Fazal Mayar

13 years ago

i think you can have them but in your own vids and profiles not in others.

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SeoWizzard

13 years ago

many people use affiliate links in their videos and descriptions... I, for example, am using amazon affiliate links in some of my videos, and haven't had a problem in months

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vheissu28

13 years ago

Yeah, you can absolutely put affiliate links directly in Youtube videos as well as in the description.

A couple things to consider, though . . .

1. If you don't have a domain name to promote, I suggest using an URL shortener like Bit.ly

2. More importantly, remember to include very valuable content in your videos! Not only is it certainly more ethical, but it will also improve click thru and conversion rates. It's truly a win-win!

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steveo

13 years ago

There are definitely affiliate link videos and affiliate links on youtube. You might get in trouble private messaging youtube accounts with the link. Try friend adding, subscribing and having the link on your channel page or channel video that would be the best way to promote.

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Rashell 13 years ago

Was on YT this afternoon looking for a papier mache recipe. Landed on a video that had been viewed over 15,000 that had both a reference to a link in the video and the same in the description.

Was instructed to click the link to get patterns to make all sorts of goodies. So away I click only to end up on Amazon.com

The delivery needed a little work. I wasn't in buying mood so the click didn't earn her anything but a thought "well alrighty then... I'll bookmark that and think about it". Who knows if I'll ever make it back.

One thing I thought was cool... she used a domain name redirecting to the Amazon page. If you have a hosting account you might think of firing up WP and using the Pretty Link plugin to create a custom url shortener.

Rashell
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Themeplated

13 years ago

Affiliate links will be fine, so long as they're posted on your videos. If you spam them around other YouTube videos, then of course, they'll be classed as spam.

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aminur

13 years ago

yup, you can put straight affiliate links on your dscription box. I never had problem as youtube is 1 of my best money pulling method. I would suggest you to get a domain name and redirect it to your offer if possible. So it looks for legit and people will be happy to click on the link.

cheers

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ECS Dave

13 years ago

Originally Posted by James Liberty

After reading through YouTube's Terms of Service, I couldn't find anything that specifically said affiliate links are not allowed on their website. (This made me believe that affiliate links are OK to post on YouTube).

That said, YouTube's Terms of Service made it very clear that spam is not allowed.

Have any of you ever investigated thoroughly? Are affiliate links truly allowed on YouTube?

See the answer here: http://www.warriorforum.com/war-room...ml#post3564263

Be Well!
ECS Dave

P.S. And yes, as others have mentioned, DO "cloak" those affiliate links...
I even bought a domain just for that at EXCITIN' - Yes? xyt.in

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Adie

13 years ago

Just cloak your links. better is you ave a domain to redirect.. I have had good result before promoting CPA products on YT.

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Partner Guy

13 years ago

Sounds like you got all the information you need, but yes, you can post links in the description, but try to not to hype your videos up too much. Try to give away good content. It will be evident that you do if people start to view your videos a lot and liking them.

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markthompson

13 years ago

Yes you can add affiliate links to your description, however I would recommend sending them to a page on your site or blog that is relevant to the video and have your affiliate link on that page.

However you will have no problem (at least right now) adding your affiliate link.

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Damani Tabor 13 years ago

Not against TOS. Never had problems. Just make the links beautiful so as not to loose clickthrough.
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- Kvn 13 years ago
  
  Never had a problem using affiliate links on my videos. I usually shorten them using budurl, it gives a neat short url and easy for tracking.
  
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xxxJamesxxx

13 years ago

Do it all the time... Never been a problem

James

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awheeler

12 years ago

What are all of your thoughts as far as messaging other channel owners and making a deal, paying them for a link on their site.

Anything to be concerned about with this?

Thanks!
Andrew

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YasirYar

12 years ago

Affiliate links are allowed, but spammy videos are highly discouraged. If you make proper videos and put a link or two up, it's perfectly fine as far as I've seen. A lot of people are using YouTube successfully to get a large number of buyers for the products they are promoting.

As for paying other channel owners for links, I think it would generally be frowned upon unless your niche is relevant to the kind of videos they put up. It would be too spammy otherwise, in my opinion

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katnyc

12 years ago

I've seen a ton of affiliate links in the info box on youtube videos (not IM related).

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Trevor

12 years ago

If I'm direct linking from Youtube, I use a redirect service such as Bit.ly or Tinyurl.com. But more often that direct linking I'm linking to a lander, which usually produces a little better conversion rates.

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danlew

12 years ago

I think it does allow affiliate links, like Amazon and Clickbank. But if you are into the CPA marketing field, it's better that you should cloak it with any URL shortener or with your own domain name.

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Jon Patrick

12 years ago

YouTube allows affiliate links the same way they allow non-affiliate links... either way, whether you live or die on YouTube will depend on whether you follow the other policies they dictate (or, more accurately, whether they believe you're following the other policies they dictate).

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StevenJones

12 years ago

Your description box and profile is where these links can do no harm. Just don't spam your aff. link in the comment section of your own or other videos.

So yes, affiliate links are allowed as long as you limit yourself to the two sections 'approved' sections above.

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paul_1

12 years ago

Yes, affiliate links are allowed in your description

Goodluck!

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Nick F. Sanders

12 years ago

How many affiliate links are allowed these days?
I use to be able to put up to 10 links and descriptions and that was ok.
I have used 5 affiliate links and descriptions and YouTube video gets flagged now.

So what is the magic number ?
What filters does YouTube use now?

thanks

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richrowley

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Nick F. Sanders

How many affiliate links are allowed these days?
I use to be able to put up to 10 links and descriptions and that was ok.
I have used 5 affiliate links and descriptions and YouTube video gets flagged now.

So what is the magic number ?
What filters does YouTube use now?

thanks

Do you upload 5 videos with 5 links in one day? Interesting to know if there is a limit.

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Nick F. Sanders 12 years ago

Originally Posted by richrowley

Do you upload 5 videos with 5 links in one day? Interesting to know if there is a limit.

Nope .. One video 5 links and descriptions.
They don't like that anymore .. However, I have seen videos with 5 links and descriptions that are still on YouTube .. but I have not seen any that have 10 links. They seem to have been removed.

So if you have some ideas on how YouTube has changed it would be great to find out.
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Patrick Batty

12 years ago

I'm curious if anyone has an update on this these days.

Are cloaked affiliate links still ok in your youtube videos?

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Simple Marketing

12 years ago

I was just researching this over at the Amazon Forum and the feeling on the threads there is that Youtube no longer allow amazon affiliate links in the description box. I dont know if that refers to naked amazon aff links, or those cloaked with your domain or a url shortner?

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gforces

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Simple Marketing

I was just researching this over at the Amazon Forum and the feeling on the threads there is that Youtube no longer allow amazon affiliate links in the description box. I dont know if that refers to naked amazon aff links, or those cloaked with your domain or a url shortner?

Where is the Amazon forum discussing this? I have been wanting to get some clarification on this somewhere.... I guess YouTube sees Amazon as competition or something.... And then if we cloak Amazon links Amazon isn't happy.... or don't they mind? Thought I had seen something about that somewhere but could just be my mind going into overload confusion....

Anyway glad this thread is discussing it. All the big sites seem to ban money making on their sites if they are not benefiting somehow....

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bdurbin1

12 years ago

Affiliategroups.com domain for sale. Gotta sell today, no reasonable offer refused. It is currently appraised for $1750...i'll let it go for way cheaper. First reasonable offer takes it, registered at godaddy.com

facebook...beau durbin

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IMHunter

12 years ago

Yeah, you can put them in your Videos, Descriptions, and Channel but not on others.

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Andrei

12 years ago

I've always posted links on youtube threw my websites for masking and didn't had any problem. Maybe you could do the same...

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prasanth5

12 years ago

After creating videos with affiliate links the real challenge consists in driving quality traffic to your video. Therefore the video should be sent to your list. Wait for good results to follow.

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Smallwheels

12 years ago

I only use Youtube for ebay sales. I put the link to my auctions in the descriptions. Selling expensive used items is easier with a video. I put the link to the Youtube video in my ebay auctions.

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talfighel

12 years ago

If you are posting anything about income claims and have some sort of an affiliate link at the bottom, you may get that video deleted.

Other then that, I don't see why they would not allow an affiliate link. As long as that video is adding some value to the channel, why not.