The "Related Searches" Ad Income not Shared: Unethical and Illegal?

1. 51

   janderson99posted 11 years ago

   Interesting eHow has the same Ad units on its pages with blocks to the right and at the bottom.
   http://www.ehow.com/facts_5766101_nutri … rries.html
   
   Right Block Label  Related Ads
   
   Bottom Label Related Searches
   for the same ads with label "Sponsored Links" when you open the ad.

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2. 60

   God is in kitchn2posted 11 years ago

   I think I've got the answer to this issue. . .
   
   
   
   1) The "Related Searches" are links, and not ads.
   
   2) The 60/40 revenue split refers only to ads placed on a hub, not to revenue  collected from any links, so the "related searches" links do not break the contract between HubPages and its writers.
   
   3) However, the "related searches" are commercial links.
   
   4) How many commercial links are hubbers allowed to post per hub? The answer is: 2.
   
   5) The problem is here: Most hubbers do not use commercial links. Those who choose to do, can post maximum 2 links on a hub. But there are already 11 commercial links now on every hub, called "related searches". Two links versus eleven links.
   
   6) This current configuration is grossly unfair. HubPages administration has two solutions to correct the problem. Either they raise the maximum limit of commercial links allowed to hubbers, to 11; or they cut down the "related searches" links into 2.
   
   7) The "related seaches" links should be conditional. Only those hubs, which have commercial link(s) posted by hubbers, should be allowed to have "related searches" links. And the number of commercial links posted by hubbers, should determine the number of "related searches" links on those hubs.
   
   
   [Please post all your replies here- http://hubpages.com/forum/post/2428889 ]

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      Writer Foxposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The "related searches" are ads.  This is a Google ad unit.  The links are like any other Google AdWords links.  But they are definitely ads!

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3. 92

   Sue Adamsposted 11 years ago

   I wish people would stop bickering. Why not
   Vote about the issue here http://simeyc.hubpages.com/hub/Related-Searches

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   1. 80

      SimeyCposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      +1

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4. 58

   Dale Hydeposted 11 years ago

   I don't support the related links at all and never will.
   
   I also don't support, nor understand those who are so critical of what is posted in the forum threads here.  The complaint about being tired of drama and redundant topics.....well, as some point out, it is ALL voluntary....so stop reading the forum threads and responding if it creates so much havoc in your pitiful lives, lol.
   
   Personally I have seen some threads on the same topic go without any staff response, then out of the clear blue, the fifth or sixth post gets a staff response.  Sort of like tossing a baited hook into the lake over and over until you get a bite.
   
   
   

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   1. 0

      summerberrieposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Dale, you are so right! I remember hubbers expressing concern about seasonal hubs not having enough time to gain traction prior to becoming 'idle'.
      Many of the treads opened to express concerns were sabotaged by those saying stop your complaining (which becomes the catalyst for drama these types of  people seem to feed off of. There is no positive input just pretty much they go around the threads telling people to shut up they are tired of the complaining)  ....later on in one of the treads staff agreed they see the need to provide more time for seasonal hubs that two months was not enough and they are working on a solution.
      
      If a thread is opened to express concern about the actions of HPs or a policy change why not let that thread stand for those who want to add their concerns to hubpages. If you do not agree there is nothing wrong with the policy and no change is needed then state the reason clearly ..... Or if the change does not hurt you and you are indifferent don't read the thread~it is not meant for you anyway it is a public message for HPs ~or if you want to just say "shut up and stop complaining" then yes in a public forum you have the right to do so, but really, why? It will not stop those of us who want to articulate an argument for better policies that will improve our hubs.
      
      Personally, I've stopped writing hubs because of the 'related searches" . I do not like HP using key words from my hubs this way....I feel my name is on the article and I do not want to be associated with the deceptive practice. It would annoy me as a reader to be sent on this wild goose chase.
      
      So thanks for starting the thread on our behalf......hopefully, HP is thinking about the impact of the "related searches' and will answer in their own time. Sometimes a little noise is a necessity for change.

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      1. 58

         Dale Hydeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks and I do agree completely.

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      2. 94

         SmartAndFunposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         +1

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      3. 83

         gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         +1,000,000,000,000 !

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5. 72

   Reality Bytesposted 11 years ago

   

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   1. 72

      wildernessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      

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6. 92

   Sue Adamsposted 11 years ago

   " I've stopped writing hubs because of the 'related searches" . I do no like HP using key words from my hubs this way....I feel my name is on the article and I do not want to be associated with the deceptive practice. It would annoy me as a reader to be sent on this wild goose chase."
   
   That is exactly how I feel too summerberrie.

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   1. 58

      Dale Hydeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I certainly do feel the same as well!

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      1. 83

         gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         If HubPages continues on this pathway, they will create decrease in writers as they are going to leave the site. Many will cease to write for HubPages.  Eventually, if this issue is not positively resolved, the site will have its own demise.

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7. 92

   Sue Adamsposted 11 years ago

   Well said, I feel exactly the same.
   
   b.t.w. have you all voted on these issues on Simey's hub on Related Searches?
   http://simeyc.hubpages.com/hub/Related-Searches
   
   If enough of us voice our concerns we may win this battle.

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   1. 81

      HollieTposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I've voted, but in order to discern what is a majority ( or very large minority) we need to be able to discern what would be a substantial amount of voters. There are x- amounts of *account holders* many of them trolls, spammers, rejects from other sites. Then are us; some of us have multiple sub domains on which we write. Who are the real hubbers, and who are just time wasters but have an account?
      
      I suspect Relache's hub about real earnings at Hp will give some indication, and I mean indication that's all, regarding people who write here, or have written here. The troll accounts just skew everything.

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8. 92

   Sue Adamsposted 11 years ago

   Exactly, that is why it would be handy for us to have email lists of reliable hubbers during hickups like the Related Search saga.
   
   This question is somewhat related:
   http://toptendeals.hubpages.com/questio … blications

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