What Are The Rules About Ordering From Amazon

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   LindaSmith1posted 10 years ago

   If you are an Amazon associate and order items for yourself, under your Associates ID, Amazon does not pay the commission and may even ban your account.
   
   I have found nothing here about those who order Amazon products for themselves, from their own hubs if they are part of the Hub Pages Amazon program.
   
   What is the rule about this, if any??

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      Matthew Meyerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Just to clarify some points made in this thread.
      
      For any of the eBay and Amazon program, you nor your friends, family, etc should click the ads in your content.  You can potentially put your account at risk for removal from one or all revenue programs and in some cases your account could be banned.
      
      Both Amazon and eBay say that purchasing items from your own affiliate links is against policy.

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         LindaSmith1posted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Matthew:  But on top of your own links, there are questions about if the same rule applies to those purchasing items from Amazon, Ebay from their hubs when they are in the Hub Pages Amazon and Ebay program?
         
         Would you clarify the rules for
         
         Clicking on your own hub pages Amazon capsules and ordering?
         
         Purchasing Amazon or Ebay products from Capsules on hubs of other hubbers?

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         1. 71

            Matthew Meyerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            This applies to any eBay and Amazon programs and the capsules for both as well as for other ad cotent.
            
            Don't click on your own ads or product capsules, don't ask people to click them either.
            Don't click any ads if someone asks you to.
            If you see something you want to buy in another author's Hub, by all means click it and buy it.

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               Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Great, so my original observation was right all along. Thanks for clearing this up Matthew.

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               aidenwposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Often times Amazon products become unavailable and need to be deleted or replaced. So my question is, how are we supposed to check if they are still available without clicking on the link in the capsule?
               
               Why is clicking a problem if we're not buying anything? It's not like Adsense where we get paid per click.

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            3. 84

               Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Matt, that was the rule when we all had our own separate Amazon and eBay affiliate accounts.
               
               What we're worried about is, now that most of us are using the same Amazon account - HubPages - is it still OK to buy from other author's Hubs?

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               Nancy Hardinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Thank you Matt. That should clear up any confusion! And that's the same way it was SUPPOSED to be at Squidoo. Thanks again!

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   Marisa Wrightposted 10 years ago

   Why risk it?

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   Jodahposted 10 years ago

   Ordering or even clicking on Amazon or eBay on your own hub is strictly prohibited and can result from you being banned from the programs.

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      makingamarkposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      ...and it says this where exactly in relation to the HubPages Earnings Program? (see my comment below)

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      vineliner57posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      You can click on the Amazon ads on your own hub. You just can't order from them.
      
      If you click on Adsense on your own hub you will most likely get banned for click fraud.

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         makingamarkposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         and it says this where?  (Sorry I am persisting because what is blatantly obvious to some is not so to others and we need to ensure that the obvious does get said!)

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            vineliner57posted 10 years agoin reply to this

            There was a thread discussing this a few days ago. I looked for it, but it seems to have dropped off the radar.
            
            I have been clicking on my own Amazon ads here, on Squidoo, and on my own blogs for several years with no problems. But don't take my word for it.
            
            As for ordering from Amazon on your own page, you can "get away with it" maybe once, but I would not recommend it. Unlike Adsense, Amazon realizes mistakes can and do happen. Sometimes people forget to clear their cookies and go shopping after looking at their own Amazon ads.
            
            The difference is that when you click on an Adsense ad, money changes hands whether something is ordered or not.
            
            I have even gone so far as to tell friends and family from my hometown NOT to click on any Adsense ads on my blogs. It may be on the paranoid side, but Google knows more about us than I care to discuss in this thread.

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   willvanderbergposted 10 years ago

   Does one really need a rule about this? Common sense. Don't do it.

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5. 61

   LindaSmith1posted 10 years ago

   I posted this after reading a forum post where a hubber admits to doing this!

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6. 69

   makingamarkposted 10 years ago

   I wouldn't do it myself - but I wouldn't criticise anybody who did because of what it does and doesn't say in the guidance notes.
   
   If you vary the way an affiliate scheme works then IMO you need to be explicit about ALL the rules that apply - and not leave any to guesswork!
   
   I've just reviewed the whole of the notes about participating in the Amazon part of the HubPages Earning program - and nowhere does it say "do not click on your links before ordering"
   
   If the rule is do not click your own links before ordering, then I really do think the guidance notes need to make this very explicit!
   
   Especially since they also say things like....
   Participation in the Amazon Program does not require a contractual relationship between you and Amazon. Your relationship is with HubPages.

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      Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      What do you mean by "before ordering"?
      
      There is no prohibition on clicking your own Amazon links on your own affiliate account.  I do it quite often to check the link is correct.
      
      You, your friends and family are not allowed to click on your own ads and order from them. If it happens once or twice, Amazon is not likely to ban you - as KnowWhatIMean found, they just won't pay the commission. 
      
      The question is, how "related" we are to the HubPages Amazon account?   As far as I'm aware, Amazon has NO record of who the individual members of that account are.

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7. 0

   bobtyndallposted 10 years ago

   Amazon rules say you cannot order from your own page. In fact no one can order off your hub from your computer. It is tracked by IP address I assume. I can order off your hub. You can order off my hub. Just not off our own.

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      Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      That's what I have always been led to believe too bobtyndall. I couldn't order off Amazon USA anyway...everything I have tried to order they don't ship to Australia.

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      makingamarkposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      But the guide says the contract is with HubPages not Amazon - and some people (particularly those with different experiences in other places) may therefore think that the Amazon rules do not apply here
      
      The rules need to be stated - very simply, very clearly and in places where people can't miss it.

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8. 0

   bobtyndallposted 10 years ago

   makingamark, it doesn't matter what Hubpage rules are. It's Amazon rules you need to look at. It is your tracking ID that is in the hubpages amazon program. Hubpage has their own tracking ID

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      makingamarkposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I know that, you know that - but it is self evident from some of the things reported above http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/125587#post2651370 in this thread that NOT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT!
      
      The issue is about good the guidance is that's being given about how the system works ON THIS SITE.

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         BigBlue54posted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Surely if you are signing up as an Amazon Associate it is their T&C you should be reading not Hubpages. It does not matter that you are doing it through Hubpages you still need to read Amazons T&C. It is the same when signing up through any third party.

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            makingamarkposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Does the HubPages site say "Do NOT order anything from Amazon via your hub or any other hub. You risk losing your account if you do.?
            
            Do you want HubPages to risk losing its relationship with Amazon because some people don't read all the small print?

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               BigBlue54posted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Maybe you should be telling HP this. Me I read the T&C

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9. 61

   LindaSmith1posted 10 years ago

   I believe that I asked Amazon a couple of years ago, before the HP Amazon program and asked about ordering products from other writers at HP.  I was told NO, if you want to order from Amazon, go to Amazon dot come to make your order.
   
   I tried to find the exact rule was broken, but couldn't.  Zujava had a Amazon Program like HP.  The keyword is HAD!!!  Zujava was banned from Amazon.

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      makingamarkposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      That's a really good point Linda - and underlines why it is so important to make instructions on matters like these ABSOLUTELY EXPLICIT!

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      colorfuloneposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Just for the record, Zujava did not brake any Amazon rules. Associates Program Participation Requirements #27 was cited as broken by Zujava.
      
      But, it was because of an old code being run by Amazon, at NO FAULT of Zujava.
      Once Amazon makes a ruling like this, they never (if rarely) reverse the decision.
      Although, there is a chance that ruling will be reversed by Amazon and should be.

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         makingamarkposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         For those who are none the wiser when informed that the Zujava infringement related to #27.......
         
         This is what it says on the Amazon Associates Program Participation Requirements https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/gp … icipation/
         
         "27. You will not artificially generate clicks or impressions on your site or create Sessions on the Amazon Site, whether by way of a robot or software program or otherwise."
         
         I seem to recall Squidoo also had problems with artificially inflated clicking.......
         
         I do hope HubPages has proper and rigorous controls on that sort of thing.

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10. 61

    LindaSmith1posted 10 years ago

    HERE IS THE ANSWER!
    
    
    Can I purchase Amazon products displayed on my own Hubs and earn a commission?
    
    No. Purchasing products using your own links is strictly prohibited and is grounds for expulsion from the Amazon Program as well as forfeiture of your entire HubPages Earnings Program balance.
    
    http://hubpages.com/faq/#amazon-qualifying-purchase
    
    #13   Hub Pages Amazon  Program

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       Jodahposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       thank you for clearing that up Linda.

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       Millionaire Tipsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       This is very helpful.  Thanks Linda.  So the question that remains is now that we are all (many of us anyway) a part of the same program, can we click on Amazon links from another Hubber to buy Amazon products?

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       makingamarkposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Well done Linda - I take back what I said because when I looked earlier I didn't see that.
       
       Maybe it needs to be higher in the Amazon section?

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11. 61

    LindaSmith1posted 10 years ago

    makingmark:  In HP FAQ, Number 13.  Scroll way down to Hub Pages Amazon Program.
    
    HP really needs to do better in providing clear and concise rules, and enforce them!
    
    The Learning Center does not address this issue at all!
    
    Violation of Amazon rules could cost HP plenty if Amazon shut down the program.  In fact, if Amazon did shut the HP program down, all  earnings up to that point from Amazon sales are "Poof! You are gone!" 
    
    It is bad enough that Amazon can shut your account down and ban you just on a whim, but violations according to their rules, can mean a big loss if and when they discover it. 
    
    I will repeat:  Zujava is now banned from Amazon.

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       makingamarkposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Well said Linda - this is crucial for both hubbers and for HubPages
       
       Plus some of the new people who have just joined HubPages include some who I know didn't always play by the Squidoo rules - never mind the HubPages rules!

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    KnowWhatImeanposted 10 years ago

    I am not sure about clicking on another hubber's amazon links, but I know from my personal amazon affiliate link that my friends and family cannot order off of my amazon links either.  A friend of mine across the country clicked on my amazon link and purchased.  I saw that there was an order, but I didnt get credit for it because the account was associated to mine.  How?  I had sent him things for christmas and the addresses were common.  This means that none of my family or friends that I have ever sent things to can order. Also - people in my office since I often have things sent here.

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       LindaSmith1posted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks!  It goes to show Amazon does monitor and does pick up these things. Not meaning that you guys did, but this goes to show that you  Can't game the system!

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13. 61

    LindaSmith1posted 10 years ago

    colorfulone:  Lets not get into a Zujava debate here.
    
    The point to be made was not only individuals Amazon bans entire sites where they make a lot more money than they do off of individuals. 
    
    Violate their terms and you are gone, whether it is on their end or your end.

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       colorfuloneposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       LindaSmith1 -  What debate? 
       
       I was only setting the record straight as to your comment about Zujave (above).

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    LindaSmith1posted 10 years ago

    I read Bills post about what  happened.  Amazon would  not discuss anything. From what he posted, Zujava has a better chance in building and igloo in 90 degree weather than Amazon changing their minds.
    
    As I said earlier, Zujava losing their account, shows that Amazon does not hesitate in banning accounts, no matter who they are, or who many sales are being produced.

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    Paul Wardposted 10 years ago

    Surely, basic commonsense tells you not to click your own affiliate links?  That extends to friends and family.
    
    There was much abuse of this sort on Squidoo, extending well beyond "doing a friend a favour."  I was surprised that Amazon didn't pick it up. Squidoo HQ wouldn't - they let the cheats run riot for far too long. If those games are being brought to Hubpages by the old lags who were kicked off Squidoo for other offences, I hope Hubpages is keeping an eye on them.

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       KathyMcGraw2posted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Well Paul....LMAO I would say that the old fox in the henhouse has resurfaced quite nicely here on HP's.

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       Nancy Hardinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       I wish there were "likes" on these comments...because I'd like Paul Ward's and Kathy McGraw's.

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       makingamarkposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Thumbs up to Paul and Kathy and the need to avoid some of the tricks which were played out at Squidoo from infiltrating HubPages.
       
       We all know what we are talking about and who we are talking about - shame we can't share.

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16. 61

    LindaSmith1posted 10 years ago

    For those who still want to debate this:  Matthew has responded on Page 2 and Page 3 to clarify ordering from your own hubs and ordering from other hubbers.

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    LindaSmith1posted 10 years ago

    aidenew:  Simple to do. Hover over the capsule information right click mouse to copy link, put link in browser and look up product.
    
    Or, you can simply open up amazon and put product name in their search bar, hit search to find out if item is still available.
    
    You can always go to the edit mode and get your information from your capsule there.
    
    I thought Amazon products in our hubs would appear as not available, but I really don't remember. I know Amazon updates products in my blogs, with their Associates program.
    
    Ebay is one that you have to really watch for items no longer available.

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       aidenwposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       "Simple to do. Hover over the capsule information right click mouse to copy link, put link in browser and look up product."
       
       But wouldn't the link still be our affiliate link? In other words, what's the difference between doing that and clicking on the link in the capsule directly?
       
       "Or, you can simply open up amazon and put product name in their search bar, hit search to find out if item is still available."
       
       This won't always work because I have seen the same product listed on different Amazon pages (perhaps by different sellers). Only the ASIN is different. In fact, this is how I usually replace an unavailable product with the exact same one by simply changing the ASIN. So I think a better solution would be to go to edit mode and get the ASIN.
       
       "I thought Amazon products in our hubs would appear as not available, but I really don't remember."
       
       Not always. Often times we won't know it's unavailable until we go to the actual Amazon page. There we will see a message printed in red saying the item is currently unavailable.
       
       I still would like to know why clicking is a problem if we don't buy anything.

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    julieannbradyposted 10 years ago

    I'm thinking back to something I thought somebody mentioned when lensmasters were working on their lenses at Squidoo. That if you were in the workshop mode and checked your links to Amazon there ... that it was OK?
    
    Is that the case in edit mode to check those links or is EDIT mode also a no-no?

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       Paul Wardposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       It's okay to click links on Amazon modules/capsules (workshop or live makes no difference). There's only a problem if you actually buy something.
       
       It's not okay to click AdSense ads on your own pages or to do it artificially, perhaps trying to benefit a friend. I think the reason has been mentioned above - advertisers are paying Google and don't appreciate their money being wasted by such clicks.

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