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Original poster

Affiliate links

26 replies

UponTheRoof · 01/11/2013 14:56

Has anyone else noticed that sometimes when posters link to items that they seem to be doing so using affiliate links? This means that if you then buy something from the website linked to, the person who posted the link will make a percentage of your spend. You may or may not mind this. I personally think it goes against the ethos of the site a bit, which is about offering advice without expecting any personal gain. What do others think?

OP posts:
WildThongsHeartString · 01/11/2013 15:22

I haven't noticed that. What would I look out for?

MrsCampbellBlack · 01/11/2013 15:29

Really? I've never noticed this but anyway most affiliate links pay peanuts don't they?

Original poster
UponTheRoof · 01/11/2013 15:33

When you click the link you you will see the address bar go through a redirect and then through the name of an affiliate marketing site before arriving at the site with the item on. The amount that sites will pay varies, but it could be 5-10%. The affiliate sites use cookies which stay active for a number of days or weeks, so if you go back to say, Topshop, on another day and buy something then the affiliate will still receive the commission if they were the last link you used.

OP posts:
lurkingaround · 01/11/2013 15:34

How do you know that they're using affiliate links?

lurkingaround · 01/11/2013 15:35

Sorry x post, you've answered my question.

lurkingaround · 01/11/2013 15:48

But would the links not have to come from Mumsnet itself, and not the poster?

Original poster
UponTheRoof · 01/11/2013 15:50

No it's possible to do affiliate links from forum posts.

OP posts:
lurkingaround · 01/11/2013 16:01

I'm inclined to agree with you, goes against the ethos a bit.
And possibly not the most unbiased advice.

lurkingaround · 01/11/2013 16:02

I hope I recognise an affiliate link. I won't be buying via one.

peasypeeler · 01/11/2013 16:07

All the links go through a redirect site don't they?

www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-imogen-riding-jacket-grey/p618188

Just testing...

Original poster
UponTheRoof · 01/11/2013 16:08

That's exactly what I think lurking. This is not something I know about personally, I just noticed the links and did a bit of reading around. I know it's how fashion blogs make money and I recognised the names of the sites coming up in the address bar.

OP posts:
peasypeeler · 01/11/2013 16:08

Yep that one did too - can assure you I wouldn't know how to be an affiliate - I just tick the box that says 'convert links automatically'

Shame on you OP!

Original poster
UponTheRoof · 01/11/2013 16:10

I don't know. Some seem to go direct to the website in question. But when I clicked on the link you just made it did go through a redirect. Is it possible then that it is Mumsnet doing it and not individual posters?

OP posts:
peasypeeler · 01/11/2013 16:12

I'm definitely not! You make it sound like we're doing something underhand by posting links - very misleading.

JennySense · 01/11/2013 16:12

I always assumed that mumsnet used affiliate links so any attempts by posters to do the same would mean those would be cancelled out?

Original poster
UponTheRoof · 01/11/2013 16:14

Sorry peasy. It's totally possible that I am wrong here. I know some of the names that come up are sites that will pay you for links, but I don't know who is getting paid. I should have been more careful because I don't know the facts here, only what is sometimes possible.

OP posts:
MrsCampbellBlack · 01/11/2013 16:19

Upontheroof - you don't get paid every time someone links only if they purchase and its hardly anything at all.

I just can't see anyone faffing to do it on here to be honest.

MrsCampbellBlack · 01/11/2013 16:20

I've blogged in the past and was even too lazy to do the affiliate stuff on that as was too much hassle. And the % of people who will actually purchase is so tiny.

babybarrister · 01/11/2013 20:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FracturedViewOfLife · 01/11/2013 20:36

I do affiliate amazon links but only on my FB fan page, not on here or any other forum. I usually get about $2/300 a month from them.

lurkingaround · 01/11/2013 20:55

$200 or $300??!!
Nice pocket money.

If I had a Facebook page I would do it. Fractured, have you a million friends or so?

FracturedViewOfLife · 01/11/2013 21:04

It's actually a fan page that has 5.2 million fans. My personal facebook has about 15 people on it Grin

lurkingaround · 01/11/2013 21:08

Ooh interesting....

Who are you Fractured???? Go on, tell me. Promise, I won't tell anyone else.

Although on a more thread-centred note, if you need 5.2 million fans to make $200 /month, seems I won't be making much money from my imaginary FB page yet....

FracturedViewOfLife · 01/11/2013 21:19

It's a fan page for a product (like whistles or poi) that I made accidentally when I first joined and sort of grew. Sorry don't want to say exactly what it is as it would definitely out me if people I know IRL saw.

Ha, yes you do need a lot of click throughs to make any money.

lurkingaround · 01/11/2013 21:41

Ah I see. Still, not bad money for an accidental page! Am a sneaky bit envious, truth be told.