I Hope I Won't Get "Dinged"

1. 74

   DzyMsLizzyposted 7 years ago

   I know we are not supposed to shop/click on our own Amazon products. 
   
   However, I've been doing a lot of editing and updating of a good many of my articles, and in the process, switching to in-line anchor text links instead of Amazon capsules.
   
   In order to be sure I found the same exact original product, I was RIGHT-clicking on the link, to get to the page, where I could then copy the URL to paste into the linking box.  Because the existing 'link' is not a viable URL, given that it is usually a product code, ASIN number...
   
   Since I was doing this in edit mode, I'm hoping I haven't gotten myself in trouble....
   
   Signed,
   Quaking in My Boots

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   1. 77

      wildernessposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I click the links all the time to verify where they're going and that the product (I always specify) is still available.  Hasn't been a problem yet, and I click both the in-text links and the capsule links.

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2. 87

   Marisa Wrightposted 7 years ago

   I think you're confusing Amazon and eBay. When we had eBay capsules, we were all under strict orders NOT to click on our own ads, for fear of reprisals from eBay.   
   
   Amazon doesn't take the same attitude.  They don't care if you click on your ads, and they don't even care if you buy something through your own Hub - but they won't pay you any commission on the sale.

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   1. 74

      DzyMsLizzyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, I see... Whew!  Thanks for clearing that up, Marisa!

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3. 98

   Rochelle Frankposted 7 years ago

   Really? I didn't know that. I've always been careful not to click on  my or someone else's ad (Amazon or Adsense)-- even if it was something I might want to buy 'cause I thought that was taboo.

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   1. 87

      Marisa Wrightposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I should have said, Adsense also frowns on people clicking on their own ads (or their friends').  So I recommend continuing to avoid those.
      
      However, if I buy something from Amazon (which is rare), I usually pick another Hubber's Hub and click on one of their Amazon ads to make the purchase. Might as well let someone get the benefit of the commission.

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      1. 98

         Rochelle Frankposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         That's good to know. I buy a lot from Amazon. Living in a rural area, near a couple of small towns, we are a bit shopping deprived.

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      2. 74

         DzyMsLizzyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         Ah, so then; I may still have cause to be concerned.

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         1. 61

            paradigmsearchposted 7 years agoin reply to this

            No. Amazon does not pay for clicks or views.Thus, they couldn't care less how many times you click or view it.
            
            As for AdSense, yep that's generally considered a Google felony, otherwise known as click fraud.

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            1. 98

               Rochelle Frankposted 7 years agoin reply to this

               I was just viewing a thread on this subject from a year ago.
               As much as I would like to help a fellow hubber with commissions, I think the issue is too fuzzy to be certain. "Better safe than sorry."
               copy of posts below:
               
                
               
                   There's no financial reward for people clicking on Amazon links in the way as there is with AdSense. Income re. Amazon is directly related to sales only.
               
                   The problem arises is if people click on the link and then buy with a view to boosting the income of the Amazon Associate - that's not allowed. The Associate can't do it and neither can family or friends.
               
               Amazon's agreement states: "You may not purchase products during sessions initiated through your own Associates links and will not receive referral fees for such orders. This includes orders for customers, orders on behalf of customers, and orders for products to be used by you, your friends, your relatives, or your associates in any manner."
               
               HubPages interprets this to mean that it is both prohibited AND that violators will not be paid for purchases made this way. We are not willing to endanger our relationship with Amazon by permitting this in our own rules.

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               1. 87

                  Marisa Wrightposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                  What utter rubbish.  You'll notice the rule is "The Associate can't do it and neither can family or friends."
                  
                  That's true.  Don't buy from your own Amazon ad and don't let your family or friends buy through your own Amazon ad.
                  
                  There is nothing in that rule that says I can't go to another Hubber's account and buy through their ads.
                  
                  That's not fuzzy, that's perfectly clear.  It says nothing at all about clicks, and it doesn't threaten to penalize you even if you do it. It simply says you won't get your commission on those sales.
                  HubPages is just going overboard, as usual.

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                  1. 74

                     DzyMsLizzyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                     It seems, Marisa, that you have just contradicted your earlier reply, in which you state, "Amazon doesn't take the same attitude.  They don't care if you click on your ads, and they don't even care if you buy something through your own Hub - but they won't pay you any commission on the sale.
                     
                     So, I'm right back to being concerned...

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4. 81

   Thelma Albertsposted 7 years ago

   I see. I was always scared to click an Amazon ads and any other ads we have on HP. I know that Adsense don't allow us to click. Anyway,  thanks for asking the question and thanks for the heads up in these comments.

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5. 52

   livetechposted 7 years ago

   It's interesting to hear people commenting that clicking Amazon ads are inconsequential as I have always been careful not to click them...And I don't think I will start now!

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6. 87

   Marisa Wrightposted 7 years ago

   You're only clicking, not buying. The prohibition is on buying.
   
   Sorry, I was lazy in my choice of words in that post, I've fixed it now

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   1. 74

      DzyMsLizzyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      

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