To think Mumsnet doesn't hate Instagram influencers?

[jamoncrumpets]

And for prominent influencers who I will not name here for fear of them kicking off and getting the thread pulled to even hint that this might be the case is irresponsible on their part?

SO much gets discussed on MN every day. So much gets criticised. Social media influencers are a new and intriguing phenomenon - why wouldn't they be discussed here? For better or worse?

Many people have supported influencers for the way they earn money. That gets ignored. Many have politely criticised and pointed out ways it could be more ethical. This gets ignored. One or two have made comments that are personal or cross the line, these have been pounced on and discussed publicly.

The 'arguments' die down. People stop caring. Then prominent influencers go and start the whole thing up again.

Blaming MN is just lazy and irresponsible.

I'm so confused by swipe up links. Fod prefaced his story last night by saying his Father's Day recommendations were not ads, but then added a swipe up to clothing with the code 'FOD' for free shipping. Isn't that an ad?

www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/affiliate-marketing.html I've reported FOD's story, as I think it's in breach.

MP classy as ever with her latest #ad holiday post, even down to being explicit about the discount she got and what that covered and what wasn't discounted.

@ChocolateTea

If you click on a link, watch the address bar. If it takes you straight to the brand's page, it isn't an affiliate link.

If the the address bar diverts to something like awin, rstyle, shopstyle, linksynergy before landing on the brand's page, then it is an affiliate link. All of liketoknow.it is affiliate marketing.

A tracking cookie is put on your device which will earn the influencer a commission for anything you buy from that brand for a period of time - from a week to three months.

I've attached a couple of examples.

I don't have a problem with affiliate marketing if it is clearly disclosed at the top of blog posts and on swipe up instastories (which doesn't mean #aff in tiny white swirly font on a white background - you know who you are).

Only some links are affiliate ones which is why ASA say any affiliate ones need to be made clear.

I suppose whether using a code is an ad or not depends on whether the blogger is compensated by the brand for promoting the code or not. I couldn't see a FOD code being pushed when I saw the stories yesterday ?

"Glad we got that clear" 🙄. Thanks, Dad.

Thank you Madamegrizzly I'll be nosey now! Do they earn from the swipes or the purchases?

And yes, posting "not an ad" but then posting a linked discount, or an affiliate link which could earn money (though it may not be of course) is rather underhand

Myothername - original story was first in series with "use XXX for free postage" It's now been deleted and reuploaded without that text

They earn if you purchase from the swiped link.

If it's an affiliate link it has to be disclosed in some way. ASA aren't even ambiguous about this like they are about gifting and discounts etc.

Oh maybe he realised "not an ad" was in fact "actually an ad" then 🙄

They don't earn anything from you swiping up or clicking. They make a commission when you purchase that item (or any item!) from the brand.

I do hope whatrvkloveswore isn't selling #gifted items in her wardrobe clear out, as I'd have quite the ethical issue with that.

I do hope whatrvkloveswore isn't selling #gifted items in her wardrobe clear out, as I'd have quite the ethical issue with that

Why? Surely they'd be hers to do with as she sees fit? Wouldn't have a problem with that at all.

Then we can politely disagree, Cady.

I wouldn't sell a gift from friends or family and I wouldn't sell a gift or sample from a business associate.

I would donate such items or pass them on.

When did 'greed is good' become so acceptable?

Can't see how it'd be greedy. I'd probably pass on gifts too, but people do sometimes sell them instead as they don't want or need them anymore/have grown out of them.
See re clothes on Ebay - exact same principle if someone has outgrown a gifted item of clothing for example, they might try and sell it on.
Say sells a dress that doesn't fit anymore.
Not doing anything wrong there.

It makes me feel a bit uncomfortable, but it's an example of choices that people have different personal stances on I suppose. As long as she's putting the income from it on her return she's not breaking any rules as such I guess.

*tax return

Funny how NB was able to start posting again just in time for a teabag ad

Who is NB?

The selling of ‘gifted’ items seems like bad manners to me. I sell things on FB (for a pittance!) but only things I’ve bought. Unwanted gifts I give to the charity shop or give for free on FB. I absolutely agree that it feels greedy to sort of get a double profit from a gift by selling on (and rude to the giver).

It’s not against ASA etc to do this if you are an influencer but it feels grabby to me whoever you are. I hate the feeling that society is becoming more selfish and greedy and this just smacks of it to me.

Exactly that, Scipio.

If I was a brand manager and saw an influencer selling an item that cost them nothing as I gave it to them?

There'd sadly be no more #gifties from my brand.

Yes fod has removed the fod free p&p code from the story now. I wonder how he has time to follow these threads. The reactions are so swift.

I’m sure he gets called up plenty via DM on Ig too... seems there are plenty of people busily policing his every action...

Does anyone remember Fods plea for ‘advice’ regarding his skin? Looks like proverb heard this and gave him some ‘gifted’ items. Even though he hasn’t declared it, it’s obvious that his stories were Ads..

Surely not, babaloo. These are just things he loves that are definitely Not Ads that after lots of requests he is sharing so that you can indulge your own dad on Foddersday.

@fivelittleduckies Natalie ‘I’m just a girl sat on some gifted steps’ Braille