What is classed as Advertising?

[StylesAfrik]

If you recommend something on this forum to a person asking for more advice, is that classed as advertising?

Its OK to recommend major high street brands, however you can't recommend a boutique retailer for fear of advertising.

I would say it is offering an opinion/advice, unless you personally stand to gain from it

But the opinion i am offering maybe linked to me, but why is that wrong. If someone says they are looking for a dress or a style and i so happen to have that dress or know where they can get it, why is that seen as advertising?

Because you're not independent. When people have asked about stuff that I sell, I normally say 'I sell X, PM me if you want a link to my website' - then people can directly ask me for details, I'm not advertising it (or getting a freebie link on here).

and you can't start a thread which obviously advertises your business as you just did

Your threads were adverts IME, but I guess you already knew that TBH.

Sorry, meant IMO.

I think you should be aware that trying to disguise adverts for your own wares by pretending you 'just happen to know where you can get something perfect' (or whatever - I haven't seen your other thread(s)) is hugely damaging for your credibility and doesn't reflect your brand or you as a person in a good light in my opinion.

plus nobody asked for a recommendation, nor were you replying to a question, you simply placed an ad disguised as a thread

This is my first time using mums net, i didn't think anything was wrong by telling people about what i do and i f they are interested. I soon received messages from 2 people saying it was not allowed.

However after that read through some other threads and realized that i could assist a lot of the people and also noticed that people made recommendation to major high street brands.

I guess i should have read the rules i didn't even know that IM was available.

Well its good to know that the user of this site are very passionate about the forum and i apologise to all who were offended by my post.

You weren't offering an opinion - you posted a link to your site which is advertising which is why I reported it.

What emsyj said