Separate Link Function for Amazon needed?

1. 84

   Marisa Wrightposted 7 years ago

   We are being encouraged to use in-text links to Amazon rather than capsules, but it seems that some Hubbers are misunderstanding how to do that.
   
   It seems that some Hubbers think they can simply paste the straight URL of their chosen Amazon product into the URL box and it will become an affiliate link.
   
   I find that surprising because it's always been obvious to me that you use the bottom section and choose the product - but if otherwise savvy Hubbers like Will Apse can misunderstand, then it's a concern. It would mean that HubPages is missing out on significant income if others are doing the same. 
   
   Maybe there needs to be a separate link icon for Amazon so there's no confusion?
   
   http://hubpages.com/community/forum/137 … nk--please

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   1. 88

      Will Apseposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I've always been a trusting fool. I except software to understand what I am trying to do and help me do it. I don't expect to be obliged to give deep thought to what should be a simple task.

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   2. 94

      sallybeaposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Yes Please, or give us something which works.  I still can't get it to work.

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      1. 84

         Marisa Wrightposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         It does work perfectly, Sallybea.  There is either something wrong with the way you're following the instructions, or something wrong with the settings on your PC which are preventing the pop-up box displaying correctly.   
         
         It sounded to me as though you were pasting the product name in the search bar on your browser instead of in the search box inside the pop-up box?

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            sallybeaposted 7 years agoin reply to this

            No, I am not doing that, I am typing the 'Gertie Ball' in the pop-up box and doing a search and nothing happens.

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            1. 84

               Marisa Wrightposted 7 years agoin reply to this

               As I said on the other thread - if you are highlighting the words "Gertie ball" in your Hub correctly, then the words "Gertie ball" will already be in the pop-up box when it appears. So something is wrong at that very first step.

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               1. 94

                  sallybeaposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                  Yes, I understand that now but even if I click on the highlighted product and it goes orange I can't save it.  That is when I see that the Amazon Button I selected before revert back to the HubPages button.  I don't know if this is what should happen but I can't save the link.

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                  1. 84

                     Marisa Wrightposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                     No that's not what should happen.

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                  sallybeaposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                  I never see the word appear in the search box.  I get a blank page.  It is only when I type the words in the box that I see a history of my searches if I double click the box.  It is as I always thought it was, an unresponsive page.

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                  1. 84

                     Marisa Wrightposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                     I'm pretty sure it is something on your PC that is stopping this working.
                     
                     The search box in the HubPages pop-up box is an internal HubPages thing, so it should not be able to show you your past searches. 
                     
                     What browser are you using (Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer?).  Could you try using a different browser?

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                     1. 94

                        sallybeaposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                        I am using Chrome
                        I can see that I have done everything in your example.  The anchor link word never appears in the search box and neither do the Products at the bottom of the page, not even if I try to search for them.  That button does not work, it just shows the blue line around it.  I will try the other browsers.
                        
                        Just edited this Post.
                        
                        Marisa,
                        It works!  Thank you so much. I can't believe how patient you have been with me.  Without your help, I don't think I could have got there.
                        
                        To everyone else who came to the 'party'  I thank each one of you from the bottom of my heart.  You are what makes HubPages so Special
                        
                        I think we all learned a great deal and hopefully, some good will come out of this lesson.
                        
                        Sally.

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                        1. 88

                           lobobrandonposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                           Awesome! Congrats Was it a browser issue in the end? I use chrome and I have no problems, so I'm guessing it was something else.

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                              sallybeaposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                              lobobrandon, Yes, it was a Browser issue.   Not sure what I would have done without all the help I received:)  Thank you so much.

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                                 lobobrandonposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                                 Oh... Okay. That's crazy how small things cause large problems just because of some incompatibility. Glad that it's all taken care of now

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   3. 86

      TIMETRAVELER2posted 7 years agoin reply to this

      You have totally lost me!  I never use links.  I always use the capsule.  I would assume that if I choose to use a link I would name the product, find its URL on Amazon and then highlight the name of the product and link as normal...just like I do on my blog.  Is this not correct?

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      1. 88

         lobobrandonposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         Nope that's not how it works. If you look up Marisa's previous reply it explains the exact process.

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      2. 84

         Marisa Wrightposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         The only reason that works on your blog, TT2, is because you're using Skimlinks (which automatically creates an affiliate link for you).
         
         It does not work on HubPages.   If you create an ordinary link on HubPages, it's just an ordinary link and you won't get paid for it.
         
         To create a link that pays, you need to ignore the URL field and use the section below it.
         
         You'll see a Search box.  It will be showing the words you highlighted.  Now click on the Amazon button and you'll see a list of suggested products.  If the product you want isn't there, type the exact product name into the search box (or you can also use the product number).  The product should come up in the Amazon section.   Click on the product and the popup box will disappear.  Save your text capsule.

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2. 88

   lobobrandonposted 7 years ago

   Oh my... I just replied to this on the other thread.
   
   Rather than coding something totally different, it would also work to add a NOTE in the linking feature popup, I guess.
   
   Like something that says:
   
   For Amazon Links use the Amazon tab Below or The Search Box to search for your product using the Product Name or ISBN/ASIN.
   
   And where it says URL:
   
   Change it to something like:
   
   URL To link to external sites (Not for Amazon affiliate links)
   
   Won't take a lot of time to get this done. Will make it look a bit bulkier but would also prevent any kind of confusion.

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      makingamarkposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      ++++++

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