"This hub may be considered commercial..."?

1. 61

   Citizen of Earthposted 16 years ago

   Hello all!
   Being relatively new to HubPages (2 mo), I am wondering about the box marked "This hub may be considered commercial" that appears on the Edit screen for each hub.  I have read the "What is commercial?" section in the Help pages, so I understand what "commercial" refers to.  I haven't written any hubs that qualify as commercial according to HubPage's definition, but I'm wondering about the general significance of that box.  Does it affect the way search engines regard the hub?  Does anyone know what affect it has on potential adsense earnings?  Thanks in advance for your input!

   replyreport
   1. 58

      Mark Knowlesposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      I think you are obliged to say a hub is commercial if you have a link in it to any site that sells anything
      
      The sort of hub that might be considered non-commercial would be say, a haiku with no links.
      
      This also means you must have adsense turned on, but as you seem interested in adsense earnings, you are probably fine and will get the best results marking your hubs commercial and leaving the ad setting to high.
      
      Welcome

      replyreport
      1. 68

         Nickny79posted 16 years agoin reply to this

         This is the socialist version of hubpages.  You are permitted to have at least one or two links to a commercial site [not endorsed by hubpages].  I'm dumbfounded how links to Amazon or eBay somehow are excepted--yet buddy entrepreneurs are "too commercial".  Link it up and may you prosper!

         replyreport
         1. 58

            Mark Knowlesposted 16 years agoin reply to this

            
            
            Your incredible ignorance is showing.
            
            You cannot mark a hub non-commercial and thereby turn off the adsense if you have links to a commercial site in it. This is actually the conservative version of hubpages which stops people from earning money from hubpages while at the same time cutting hubpages off from a share of the income.
            
            Tricky concept to grasp I know, but eventually you will get it.
            
            And if you cannot see the difference between ebay and amazon capsules where the revenue is shared with hubpages, and other affiliate links which do not revenue share -  you are even more stupid than your comments on the forum would indicate.

            replyreport
            1. 0

               terrygposted 16 years agoin reply to this

               That's the spirit Mark, its disappointing to see senior hubpage members commenting in the forums at their very best to the junior members. 
               
               You represent the reputations of all hubbers with your own comments, seeing you are one of the senior members at the moment.
               
               Maybe you should take a break from the forum, or come here when your in a better state of mind.
               
               Not everyone likes your style of wit.

               replyreport
               1. 58

                  Mark Knowlesposted 16 years agoin reply to this

                  I represent no one's reputation but my own.
                  
                  Any one is quite capable of taking a look around the forums and making their own decision as to whether this person is a troll or not, or making stupid comments designed to elicit an argument or not.
                  
                  Quite apart from that, he was giving a new member false information. You cannot mark a hub non-commercial if you have affiliate links in it.
                  
                  This equates to being socialism as far as he is concerned.
                  
                  Sorry you don't like the style of my wit.

                  replyreport
               2. 68

                  Nickny79posted 16 years agoin reply to this

                  I appreciate your coming to my defense; I do confess that my comment was motivated more to provoke Mr. Knowles than to give anyone advice.  His nasty reply only demonstrates that I have succeeded.  There are a lot of reactive, self-righteous people on the fourms; I don't think its Mr. Knowles' place to be a self-appointed moderator of our sometimes stimulating discussions.  I strongly believe people should have every right to promote themselves, their products, ideas, political views or garbage, as the case may be--if people don't like it, they will ignore it or come up with something better.  Hubpages and Google Adsense have quite a racket going on this site--they profit handsomely from all this activity!  Yet, the little guy (whom Mr. Knowles apparently claims to champion) is chastised for trying to make a few cents with Adwords and a few bucks on his own website.  He's obviously a bitter, angry old man--you give him too much credit by even acknowledging him.

                  replyreport
2. 61

   Citizen of Earthposted 16 years ago

   My thanks to you both for the welcome and variety of advice.  I am indeed running adsense as well as Amazon, and while I enjoy writing about whatever grabs my interests, I certainly wouldn't mind seeing a little $$.  Thanks again, and all the best!

   replyreport
3. 77

   Uninvited Writerposted 16 years ago

   "Buddy Entrepreneurs" are the ones who are turning HubPages into a depository for a lot of crap...luckily some people actually write real articles and don't just point to squeeze pages and complain when they can only point to two.

   replyreport
4. 77

   Uninvited Writerposted 16 years ago

   And you are free to leave if you don't like the way HubPages operates. This is mainly a writing site...not a marketing site...that is something you fail to understand no matter how many people explain this to you.

   replyreport
5. 0

   Leta Sposted 16 years ago

   Sigh....
   
   As a marketing professional and an excellent copywriter (if I do have to say so myself) I would be remiss in not saying that both good writing and good marketing can go hand in hand.  The trick is in knowing what means and messages are appropriate, and what crosses the line into bad taste, bullying, or what have you....
   
   That is general in nature, but I intended it that way in order to not be controversial.

   replyreport
6. 69

   Peter Hogganposted 16 years ago

   Uninvited Writer, cant it be both. Sure, it can be a place where you simply post articles about topics that interest you if that’s what you want it to be. But, as soon as you permit Adsense or Amazon capsules on your hubs dont you enter the world of marketing?

   replyreport
   1. 77

      Uninvited Writerposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      I believe it can when it is quality articles. But a lot of the stuff being published on HubPages is pure crap, copied from elsewhere and pointing to squeeze pages. I have no problem with marketing as long as it features quality writing and proper use of links and revenue capsules.
      That means taking the time to proofread work, working with capsules to make it attractive, adding original content of your own. Not throwing something up in one minute and expecting to get rich from it.

      replyreport
7. 67

   Mishaposted 16 years ago

   LOL Guys, it is not about writing and marketing, it is about being a jerk and about not wanting to have a jerk around. That easy
   
   Terry, you are missing the point. This "N" guy openly admits to being jerk, and is proud of it.

   replyreport
8. 70

   lemarquis72posted 16 years ago

   Well said Peter.  I see no problem with writers self promoting while also providing useful content.  The two can be married and I think Hubpages recognizes and allows just that.  Otherwise, why would they allow adsense, amazon, and ebay affiliation (much less the addition of a couple of links in your hubs) if they didn't want any marketing going on?
   
   My very humble opinion...

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Leta Sposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Nice Romanesque arches.  Good phrasing!   lol...

      replyreport
      1. 70

         lemarquis72posted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Beautiful, aren't they?  They're from the cloister at Mont St. Michel, a wonderfully peaceful place.

         replyreport
9. 69

   Peter Hogganposted 16 years ago

   Uninvited Writer,
   Yes, I also have a hate of squeeze pages and there is a fair bit of crap here. Glad you are not completely anti marketing though, for some of us its our job!

   replyreport