I think many readers are savvy enough to realize what links are affiliate links and those that aren’t. The ones who can’t tell the difference probably don’t care.

The only situation in which I see disclosure being important and absolutely necessary is when you review a product and strongly advocate for it, such as your recent reviews of Chitika’s eMiniMalls.

My blogs on niche marketing I don’t worry about it. My readers know I include affiliate links.

It get more interesting when you use a registered domain name to redirect a link in a frame, even more so when you include it in an article bio that is submitted to article directories.

Then the windfall when the article gets picked up by a mailing list….

It is nice when you receive an email from the owner of a product or service asking “what did you do?” as your sales just explode for a day or so, especially when the article was actually published 2 months previously.

It’s true. The “new breed” of bloggers out there are really just discovering the power of a rev-share relationship. They have become spoiled by the contextual model and are only just beginning to see that performance based marketing techniques, espe…

Here’s the deal. If you have an affiliate link within the text of your article, without any identification as such, I’ll tolerate it because you’ve already won my trust through your valuable and useful content.

At this point, I don’t care if they’re affiliate links. I trust that you’re not trying to take advantage of anyone. So, it’s not disclosure that matters. It’s the trust.

Clearly there are a number of points of view on this topic. I think that much of this largely depends on the nature of the blog. As a small business advisor, I offer a healthy mix of business start up advice. Some of the advice or recommendations I give , I would like to monetize. I have spent years researching and appling much of what I know. Therefore, I do place a monetary value on my time.

David

There is nothing remotely deceptive to sending people to a site where they can buy something I’m talking about. They don’t have to follow the link, they don’t have to buy the product. There is no deception involved.

It would be deceptive if I was hyping up products to encourage people to buy them. But I don’t, I give my opinions (some good, some bad) and then provide a link where they can buy. I see no need to pat myself on the back and tell people who wonderfully honest I’m being. If they care they can see it. Most won’t care.

Here’s the heart of my message: “The bottom line for me is that I love to see a small business owner get a commission for recommending a good tool that I can use. After all, the responsibility for deciding to purchase is still on my shoulders whether I’ve gone to a site via a direct or affiliate link.”

If you’re interested in the entire post, Affiliate Marketing Is Not A Dirty Word, you can read it here — http://www.allbusiness.com/blog/JustForSmallBusiness/3357/003185.html

Thanks for the opportunity to see others opinions on this topic!

It’s no secret that SOMEBODY benefits from every product or service sold on the internet. It’s not really important who sells it – people KNOW that and (i.m.h.o.) appreciate when we do this because they become more informed at what the real price or value on something is and can comparison shop. So, if I happen to casually mention something in my blog I will just try to offer an affiliate link if I can – if that’s what they are looking for – better through me (if I can compete)

however, if I mention that a particular product is BETTER than others or recommend that people try or buy something – I will go out of my way to mention that I am affiliated and do get a commission. I also mention that it is a very small commission because its true …

I also think what “james” said is true .. if you recommend something and people like and appreciate what you recommend, I think they might be loyal and click on your link BECAUSE you recommended it and they want to support you either as a reward or thank-you for the ‘heads up’.

I LOVE that! heh…

I think it’s deceptive to send people to a link if you are going to gain from it without letting them know before hand. These days i put my cursor over links before clicking them and if there is no disclaimer I avoid clicking them. If there is a disclaimer and I’m interested in the product I will click them.

In fact I have had readers go out of their way to buy products from my affiliate links from time to time just because they want to support me. So transparency can actually pay off.

Whether I loved it, hated it or could care less about it, if they have an affiliate program then it is probably an affiliate link.

It gives me a place to point, should anyone question my affiliate linking policy.

Im curious as to how Darren can do it, and I cant. And I wonder if actually, I can heh..

Perhaps its just the different nature of the sites.

I agree. I find that bloggers are more sensitive to this issue because of the history of blogs – they were originally a purely non commerical medium and some in the blogosphere are purists who still want it to be this way. I’ve been doing affiliate marketing for two years and none of the affiliate marketers I know creating websites use disclaimers near affiliate links.

Personally I think sometimes it good to identify that you are sending visitors to another site and the nature of that relationship, but it should be brief. Something such as “Products are offered by partner merchants” or having a separate page that lists all of the partner merchants, and then within posts do not identify the links as affiliate links.

In regard to Chitika, most web surfers assume images and banners are some kind of advertisement so there’s no reason IMO to label them as ads. Text links in a sidebar can be labeled as sponsored links or partner merchants and that should suffice.

Affiliate programs are the best way to monetize repeat visitors. Frequents are usually aware of affiliate programs and therefore disclaimers tend to carry a holier-than-thou image.

I recommend dropping either affiliate links or disclaimers. Please don’t make this kind of a number out of them, just focus on helping likeminded and optimize revenue.

They simply don’t care.

This is still true even today, however I’m sure a lesser majority of them who don’t have a clue.

It’s your personal preference Darren, but in my opinion, why should you care if nobody else does?

Deep down, do you spend time writing this blog to be a good person who needs to share with others, or is it simply because you want to make money? Decide that and you’ll know the answer to your problem.

I feel better doing it that way, thus people know I am not pulling something over on them. Also my site is primarily info and based on my readership they are trying to NOT spend money- so a very difficult fence to walk.

I have a loosely based criteria for using ads, most have to provide something to the clicker at little or no cost. But I still would like to get some money for the time I put into my site. Anyway, that is how it stands now… who knows how it will evolve.