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AutomaticApple

AutomaticApple

Suspended
Original poster
Nov 28, 2018
7,401
3,378
Massachusetts
Ive noticed that whenever a MacRumors member attaches an Amazon link to a post, a MacRumors affiliate tag is automatically applied to the end. Why is this the case?
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I first noticed this in one of my own posts.
Screenshot 2021-06-15 6.12.44 PM.png
 
Macrumors is affiliated with Amazon?
they probably get a small percentage of items sold like PCWorld
well to clear up anything:
"MacRumors.com is a website that aggregates Mac and Apple related news, rumors, and reports. The site was launched February 24, 2000, in Richmond, Virginia, and is owned by Arnold Kim" from wiki
 
Apple_Robert said:
I didn't know it did that until you brought it up. I don't have a problem with it. If it was taking money away from me and others, I would think differently. They do make a point to state such in articles they create.
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Yes, but they never stated that tags are automatically added to the end of amazon.com links on the forums.
 
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AutomaticApple said:
Care to elaborate? 🤔
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There is no law (I am aware of) against making money from me and others posting public sale links from Amazon and other established affiliates. I believe both entities are making money with the links posted. I also don't think Arn has been deceitful about it. If MR wasn't an affiliate already, I think there could be a problem with MR doing what they do.

Like I said, I didn't know about it until you spotted it. You have a right to question what you saw.
 
Apple_Robert said:
There is no law (I am aware of) against making money from me and others posting public sale links from Amazon and other established affiliates. I believe both entities are making money with the links posted. I also don't think Arn has been deceitful about it. If MR wasn't an affiliate already, I think there could be a problem with MR doing what they do.

Like I said, I didn't know about it until you spotted it. You have a right to question what you saw.
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I would like to see what everybody else thinks then.
 
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I have no problem with it. If MacRumors can make some money off a recommendation I make. More power to them.

In fact we should start an Amazon thread. Where anytime we plan on making a purchase off Amazon we're willing to make public. We should post the link there before adding it to our carts. Then click it to add to the cart. Rather than simply adding it to the cart.

That way Macrumors can bilk Amazon for money and drop all the site ads.

I'm just kidding folks. They'd probably lose affiliate status. But I still don't care if MacRumors can make a little off the recommendations.
 
AutomaticApple said:
Ive noticed that whenever a MacRumors member attaches an Amazon link to a post, a MacRumors affiliate tag is automatically applied to the end. Why is this the case?
View attachment 1793777
I first noticed this in one of my own posts.
View attachment 1793802
Click to expand...

Yes, we automatically affiliate link out links such as Amazon on the forums. It's a revenue driver to support the forums. We don't call it out specifically at registration, but it's disclosed here: https://www.macrumors.com/privacydmca.html which is linked out on footers and registration.

Affiliate / Monetization / FTC Disclosure

Links on this site are processed by Skimlinks to automatically add referrals to outcoming store/vendor links. MacRumors.com, LLC may sometimes get paid if you click one of those links and purchase a product or service. In the case of our forums, any links or recommendations are being posted by our community and do not represent endorsements by this site. In the case of our news stories, we may offer direct links to stores and vendors for the convenience of our readers, but unless otherwise stated, do not necessarily represent endoresements to those products.
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AutomaticApple said:
I would like to see what everybody else thinks then.
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I don't have a problem with MR using affiliate links to generate revenue. However, I think there could be more transparency, especially for people who follow these links.

Specifically, I think it would be better if:
  1. Web page footers contained a clear disclosure that affiliate links are used and automatically added by an outside vendor to hyperlinks in forum posts.
  2. When an affiliate link is clicked, the fact that MR receives a fee from the merchant is disclosed and, I think most important, that a third party (Skimlinks) is involved and receiving information.
  3. In the site FAQs, a disclosure of what information is provided to merchants and third parties when affiliate links are created and clicked.
 
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arn said:
Yes, we automatically affiliate link out links such as Amazon on the forums. It's a revenue driver to support the forums. We don't call it out specifically at registration, but it's disclosed here: https://www.macrumors.com/privacydmca.html which is linked out on footers and registration.
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Interesting.

My position would be much the same as that outlined by @KaliYoni, quoted below.

I don't mind the links per se, but would appreciate greater transparency, such as one finds in the British newspaper, the Guardian, where such affiliate links are explicitly stated.
KaliYoni said:
I don't have a problem with MR using affiliate links to generate revenue. However, I think there could be more transparency, especially for people who follow these links.

Specifically, I think it would be better if:
  1. Web page footers contained a clear disclosure that affiliate links are used and automatically added by an outside vendor to hyperlinks in forum posts.
  2. When an affiliate link is clicked, the fact that MR receives a fee from the merchant is disclosed and, I think most important, that a third party (Skimlinks) is involved and receiving information.
  3. In the site FAQs, a disclosure of what information is provided to merchants and third parties when affiliate links are created and clicked.
Click to expand...
 
I find it odd when anyone raises concerns or a dislike for people posting affiliate links.

What exactly is the contention?

- They don't cost you anything
- you're posting the link, so you're not being coerced into buying something you otherwise would not
- They support a free service/community that you're enjoying

The only reason I can fathom for not approving of this practice, is that people would post affiliated links for their own benefit, and are missing out on clicks themselves.

Very strange.
 
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mlamb64150 said:
I find it odd when anyone raises concerns or a dislike for people posting affiliate links.

What exactly is the contention?

- They don't cost you anything
- you're posting the link, so you're not being coerced into buying something you otherwise would not
- They support a free service/community that you're enjoying

The only reason I can fathom for not approving of this practice, is that people would post affiliated links for their own benefit, and are missing out on clicks themselves.

Very strange.
Click to expand...

My concerns are over the transparency of how this is practiced on MR.

Personally, I'd prefer if the site was clearer about where and how such links were used, and that this was made abundantly clear both in the T&C when joining MR, and when one encounters the links.

@KaliYoni expresses it well in the following (excellent) post.

KaliYoni said:
I don't have a problem with MR using affiliate links to generate revenue. However, I think there could be more transparency, especially for people who follow these links.

Specifically, I think it would be better if:
  1. Web page footers contained a clear disclosure that affiliate links are used and automatically added by an outside vendor to hyperlinks in forum posts.
  2. When an affiliate link is clicked, the fact that MR receives a fee from the merchant is disclosed and, I think most important, that a third party (Skimlinks) is involved and receiving information.
  3. In the site FAQs, a disclosure of what information is provided to merchants and third parties when affiliate links are created and clicked.
Click to expand...

An excellent post, one well worth noting.
 
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mlamb64150 said:
I find it odd when anyone raises concerns or a dislike for people posting affiliate links.

What exactly is the contention?

- They don't cost you anything
- you're posting the link, so you're not being coerced into buying something you otherwise would not
- They support a free service/community that you're enjoying

The only reason I can fathom for not approving of this practice, is that people would post affiliated links for their own benefit, and are missing out on clicks themselves.

Very strange.
Click to expand...
Maybe greater transparency would be better, but I'm with your rational as stated above.
 
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