I realise this isn't important in the scheme of things, but given that you do have the referral codes and bargains forum, it must be something which is permitted.
Previously, users were able to share referral codes from a site called TopCashBack. I can see on old bargain threads that those links did work (and indeed, the few times I shared my links last year, I did have one or two users use them, so the links work)
Now when a user shares their link, the MN site wipes the info which makes it a referral link. It doesn't matter how we copy and paste it, it defaults back to the main site URL once the post goes public. This confused me a lot, but then I decided to use the preview feature and copy and paste my URL from that point into Notepad so I could see what was happening to my link.
I'm attaching an image of the stages:
First URL (which I can't type here for obvious reasons; it will reset. Which is why I'm using this image) is the one with my username at the end of it. That's the URL I'd like to share on the bargain board.
Except, after I have copied and pasted that URL exactly, when the post goes public it turns into that second URL, which is just the main website url.
The third URL with skim resources in the address is the URL which is showing some details of what's happening with that link in the preview screen, and what I assume your website is cleansing from the link (the aspect which makes it a referral).
So I guess my question is, is this a bug or a feature? Do you not want us to be able to share these links anymore (which is your prerogative; it's your website after all) or should we still be able to share these referrals, but they are getting caught up in your new software updates regarding advertisements etc?
Thanks for your time if you've read all this 😄