Amazon Capsule Troubles

1. 85

   DzyMsLizzyposted 9 years ago

   Ohhhh---kaaayyyyy....
   
   I have been gradually editing some hubs, and today ran into an odd and frustrating problem.
   
   On one of my hubs, the Amazon capsule was hidden, and upon clicking to edit, saw the "out of compliance" red type about the new guidelines, and too many items in one capsule.
   
   Fine.  No problem.  I set about copying out the information, deleting the entire capsule, and re-positioning the capsules, with just one item per, in relevant positions to my text.
   
   However, that did not work.  Upon selecting "preview results," nothing happened.  Nothing at all.
   Upon clicking "save." I was presented with nothing showing, either in the edit panel or in preview-the-hub mode.  100% Invisible.
   
   Next, I attempted to determine whether or not titling the capsule and/or adding a description made any difference.  It did not.
   
   What gives, here?  Is this a glitch/known issue?  Or do I have to contact Amazon to find out if I have been dumped or something because no one ever buys anything from my Amazon capsules anyway???

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   1. 95

      Glenn Stokposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You may have discovered another bug. I already found one that I reported about the new amazon capsule (Squidoo version) not counting text towards total text count of the hub.
      
      See http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/124217
      
      As for your experience, here are a few thoughts...
      
      If I understood you correctly, you had old amazon capsules that you never updated since HP changed the rules and only allowing one product per capsule now. I addition, you must have least 50 words in the hub per product.
      
      When you edit any of these old capsules, you will be forced to change it to conform to the new rules. It seems that is what was happening to you.
      
      As for the empty or invisible info, I have no idea what is causing that for you. I never had that problem. If you think it's an issue, report it in the Technical Problems forum thread.

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2. 60

   LindaSmith1posted 9 years ago

   I think the capsules are only for the HP Amazon program?  Don't hold me to that one, I might be wrong.  I went through Hubs the other day and found the old capsules that held multiple products, redid them with no problem, nor any problem in past few days

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   1. 85

      DzyMsLizzyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      "HP Amazon Program?"
      
      That's a new one to me. 
      
      There is the HP Ad program, for which you must also have a Google Ad Sense account, and I do have both of those.
      But to my knowledge, unless someone snuck in changes when I wasn't looking, and having some computer troubles, that bears no relation to Amazon.

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      1. 74

         Barbara Kayposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Yes you can belong to the Hubpages Amazon program now and earn a higher percentage of earnings. You have the choice of doing that or still using your old Amazon account.

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         Marisa Wrightposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Someone snuck in some changes!  You have a choice now - either continue using your own Amazon account, or switch to using the HubPages' Amazon account (which pays a higher commission). 
         
         However, that has nothing to do with your problems, because you should be able to  create Amazon capsules on your Hubs even if you haven't pasted your Amazon ID into your account - you just can't earn anything from them.
         
         I agree with Glenn that, although you've installed some virus software, it sounds like there is still something not quite right with your PC.    It may be an  Add-On which has been installed without your consent - in Firefox, go to Tools and look at Add-Ons, and see if there's anything there you didn't choose to install.

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   2. 95

      Glenn Stokposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      The Amazon capsules work for either program. If you use your own Amazon Affiliate code then it uses that automatically. If you signed up for the HP Amazon program then your capsules automatically will use that affiliate code.
      
      Either way, the same 40/60 ratio applies as always between HP and you.

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   LindaSmith1posted 9 years ago

   Barbara:  Is capsules just for HP Amazon program now?  Those who use their own affiliate account have to use text links now??

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      Greekgeekposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Linda, in the "Configure" section of our Earnings dashboard, there is a place where you can say you want to use your own Amazon Associates ID instead of Hubpages. (Although that means losing out on Hubpages' 8.5% commission.)
      
      If you were using your own AmazonAssociates ID, it stays there and is used on your capsules until/unless you opt into Hubpages' program instead.

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4. 60

   LindaSmith1posted 9 years ago

   I know hubbers can use HP program and their own affiliate account by using text links for personal account and capsule for HP program account. I am wondering if capsules are for HP program only now.

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5. 60

   LindaSmith1posted 9 years ago

   Thanks for clarifying Glenn.  Okay, if they have HP amazon program then the capsule is for that, but if they want to use affiliate account in same hub, they use text links for it.

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      Glenn Stokposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I guess that would work, but you are limited to two text links to the same domain.

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      Glenn Stokposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Why would you want to use both anyway? The HP Amazon program pays a higher percentage, unless you, alone, are already in the 8.5% tier already.

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6. 60

   LindaSmith1posted 9 years ago

   I read something the other day.  I have HP Amazon program.  I also am affiliate of Amazon.  The post I saw said that you can do both.  If you are with HP program, use the capsules.  If you also want to use affiliate account on top of HP program, you need to use text links.

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7. 85

   DzyMsLizzyposted 9 years ago

   OY!  It used to be so simple--it has now become the proverbial can of worms.....
   
   In this particular hub, in-text links would not be appropriate.
   
   As far as words...I have well more than 50 per product  (book) I want to mention.  The Hub stands at a word count of 1250; I'm only trying to insert Amazon capsule references for 4 books!  (4*50=200) so I have over 6 times the requisite number of words!
   
   I was not even aware HP had made its own Amazon program--as I mentioned--if that happened, it was while I was struggling with my stupid computer, and I missed it.
   I guess I'll have to look into that, now... **sigh**
   
   Thanks, all, for the info!
   
   **EDIT:  I checked those 'configure' settings, and this is what it says:
   "The Amazon Program (via the HubPages Earnings Program) is currently active for your account. If you would like to change this, please click the button below."
   So, that would seem to read that I AM in the HP/Amazon program???
   
   The options given are "deactivate" or "cancel."  ..the latter of which, I assume, would simply close the window, but I did not do that--I simply clicked off the page, just in case...

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   1. 95

      Glenn Stokposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You've got enough words for sure. All you have to do is make a separate capsule for each product. It will automatically use whatever affiliate account you specified in your settings. Either your own or the HP Amazon program. If you are not already getting 8.5% from Amazon, then it pays to sign up for the HP program. See the learning center if you missed it.

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      1. 85

         DzyMsLizzyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks, Glen...I did see an earnings percentage of 8.1%, not 8.5 ... ?? maybe it varies by product?
         Amazingly, I did see a report for one item sold..that astounded me, as it's a first!
         
         As far as putting just one item per capsule, that is exactly what I was trying to do when I ran into the difficulty I originally described.  It did not matter whether I typed in the ISBN number myself, or returned to the Amazon site and cut/pasted it.  No dice--no capsule or product appeared upon clicking 'save.'
         
         I guess I'll have to report this as a bug--but I've been a bit scared off of going to that forum, because every time I think there's a bug, I get a rather 'scolding' reply from Matthew, saying I should post elsewhere...  sigh... to me, it's ALL very technical...so how do I know what's a techincal glitch, and what just needs posting here, or an e-mail contact.
         (And, they've made the e-mail contact info quite hard to find...)

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            Glenn Stokposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            The percentage varies until we all reach the peak, but that happens within a few days of each new month. However, some items have a lower percentage. Since you mentioned using ISBN, are you listing a book?  If not, then it's the ASIN number you want to use. Are you putting it in the product field? If you put it in the keyword field, that may explain your problem.

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               paradigmsearchposted 9 years agoin reply to this

               How have you been?

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               1. 85

                  DzyMsLizzyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  Hanging in there, paradigm ... Hubby's health issues make life an adventure, that's for sure.  We go along on an even keel for a while, then it's two weeks in a row of calls to 911 because he has an issue and needs to get to the ER ASAP...
                  My back is not particularly happy with the latest round of sitting in ER chairs.... 
                  
                  Otherwise, I'd say your worst day on the sunny side of the grass is better than the alternative.
                  
                  Thanks for thinking of us and asking! Or--oops..were you asking Glen????

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               2. 95

                  Glenn Stokposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  I've been focused!

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            2. 85

               DzyMsLizzyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

               I most always list books...so yes, I use the ISBN number.
               And yes, I know the difference between the numbers; so use the AISN one for other-than-books.
               I've been using the capsules (however non-productively) for long enough that I know to put it in the product area, not the keyword area.  I most always select for "choose specific product.")
               
               Strangely, I guess people don't read off-line anymore--for the single time I referenced a product other than a book, was that single sale I've ever made.    Go figure.

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                  Glenn Stokposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  I've noticed the same thing. Paperback and hard copy books don't sell well. But some Kindle books do. Now that HP implemented the Squidoo version of the Amazon capsule, Kindle books can be listed again. In case you didn't see that thread, there was a bug that gave an error on ebooks in the old capsule. See http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/122035#post2627529

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                  1. 85

                     DzyMsLizzyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                     yeah--unfortunately, I usually put links for paperback/hardcover, as that is my preference.
                     I own a Nook, not a Kindle, so that format is irrelevant to me.
                     I guess more people own Kindles?  and I should switch to using that format?
                     Sigh

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                     1. 95

                        Glenn Stokposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                        What you use doesn't really matter. What your readers use is what counts. By the way, you can install a free Kindle app on your PC or tablet. Then you can download Kindle books too.
                        
                        I'm sorry to hear the problems you were having that you mentioned to paradigmsearch. I didn't know.  That's the problem with me being too focused I guess. Not always a good thing. You probably mentioned it somewhere and I missed it. Hope things get better for you and your hubby.

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                        1. 85

                           DzyMsLizzyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                           oh-thanks--did not know there was a Kindle app for PCs.  Good to know.
                           
                           I need to learn how to navigate better online.  I've never been very good at sensing what the trends are; what people want, and I do seem to be always out of step/out of the loop somehow. 
                           And thanks for the well-wishes.

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                              Glenn Stokposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                              You can find  the Kindle download on Amazon's site for the PC.  The app download you have to look for in your apps library, depending on what tablet you are using. I'm not sure if there is one for the nook. I would guess not  since B&N is a competes with Amazon.
                              
                              On the other issue, did you place the ISBN number in the product field to see if that fixes your issue with the product not showing? Don't use the keyword field.

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                              1. 85

                                 DzyMsLizzyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                 I never use the keywords field, anyway--I prefer to choose my own specific items.
                                 
                                 I don't have a tablet--but a desktop machine..plus the little laptop/notebook I was given by a very gracious and generous fellow Hubber to get my through my computer troubles. 
                                 
                                 and no, you cannot get it for Nook for the very reason you sated...they are rivals.
                                 
                                 ANYWAY...
                                 I guess this entire discussion can be disregarded--after much reading of posts, references to learning center items, HP blog articles, etc...I think I found the trouble.. They were there--just not showing to ME, on account of my AdBlock Plus utility...which it was strongly recommended that I install in order to keep my PC alive while continuing to use the no-longer-supported XP OS.  ...
                                 
                                 Sigh...so..I put HP on the "whitelisted" domains..and sure enough.the capsule is working fine...but...I'll have to take HP back OFF the list, and just trust that the capsules are working and visible to all others, because I cannot abide the huge numbers of ads, including pop-ups, that get in my face when trying to work, not to mention the auto-play audio ads that you canNOT silence, nor find the source on the page to 'x' out of the things.  Dammit!
                                 
                                 And the other supremely annoying thing is that random words are selected from ANY text written, (whether in hubs or in forums), to be placed in link-blue, ALL CAPS BOLDFACE, thereby interfering with smooth, uninterrupted reading. In the text above, for example, the words (spaces addded in the middle to prevent it happening again) "des k top ma-chine" "Lea r ning Cen ter" "In st all" and "Do ma in" have all been so treated!!! It drives me bonkers!
                                 I understand revenue-sharing, and I understand the ads...but IMO, it should be limited to side bar ads and top/bottom of page, and NOT intruding into the text of articles.
                                 Not to mention that waiting for all those ads to continually load and re-load every few seconds, slows down the com-pu-ter...and causes my typing to outpace the ma-chine...which then does not remember the correct sequence of letters I typed....
                                 
                                 OK--rant over, I guess..

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                                    Glenn Stokposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                    I'm glad you found the problem.  But I don't know why you have so many problems with ads, pop ups, auto play ads, etc. I don't have those problems and I am not using any special ad block utility. You may have a virus if  you are seeing additional ads beyond the common placement on webpages.
                                    
                                    It's true that once in a blue moon we get an auto-play ad on HubPages, but when that happens HP immediately shuts out that advertiser. Blocking pop-ups can be accomplished with a setting within your browser. There is no need for a special utility these days. Be careful with downloading utilities that are free. They may turn out to be a keystroke logger - nasty stuff. They can capture your personal information, logon info, Social Security numbers, etc., all without your knowledge.

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                                       DzyMsLizzyposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                       I've been all through this 'may be a virus' discussion before--have an anti-virus program which runs daily; also have malware bytes and the windows anti-malware utility.
                                       
                                       I have never been able to find the setting in my browser to block pop-ups;  Firefox does it automatically; Chrome does not..and of late, Firefox is being a S-L-O-W PITA, so I prefer Chrome.
                                       
                                       The programs I did download came at the advice of some of HP's most experienced and very tech-savvy Hubbers, such as Ron ElFran and perhaps paradigm...there were 2 or three, who all concurred to the specific and safe free programs to use.

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                                          Glenn Stokposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                          Nevertheless, the slow behavior of Firefox and your PC in general, and all that craziness you mentioned such as something placing spaces between letters of words, and something making words on your page into hyperlinks, does make me think of a virus or malware of some sort. I'm sure the others will agree. I'm going to sleep now, it's late. Feel better.

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         2. 60

            The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

            DzyMsLizzy,
            Go into edit and look to the right to see whether the "Do not show" box is checked.

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      Glenn Stokposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I just saw your addition to your comment. That is indicating that you already signed up for it. Clicking off the page is the same as clicking cancel. Cancel doesn't mean to cancel the account. It means to cancel the present operaton, which is the same as leaving the page - as you did. So that's okay. You definitely don't want to deactivate the new affiliate account you created. Keep it and enjoy the higher commission.

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   LindaSmith1posted 9 years ago

   I just went to one of  my very old hubs, deleted capsule and redid it. It worked fine.  Try cleaning your cache in computer, sign off of HP and reboot computer then sign in again.  See if that helps.  If not, contact HP because you must be dealing with some kind of glitch.

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