For attn of HP staff: Close Down Referral Scheme

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   Beth Eaglescliffeposted 4 years ago

   For attn of HP staff.
   
   There are regular waves of spam in the forums from people who have little interest (or ability) in writing for HP. They post affiliate links and other rubbish. It is a major disincentive for established Hubbers to get involved in helping genuine newbies.
   
   It has been suggested that the referral scheme is responsible for generating much of this spam. I suggest it is closed down. I don't think its passing will be mourned (or even noticed) by most Hubbers.

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      DzyMsLizzyposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      +1

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      Marketing Meritposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Totally agree with you about the spam Beth, but not convinced that the referral scheme is entirely to blame.
      
      I believe it is primarily due to the internet being far more accessible across the globe. There is a 'time-lag' factor whereby individuals from these newer countries are now absorbing outdated 'get rich quick using the internet' schemes, that were so prevalent a decade or so ago.
      
      You only have to compare the article standards that HP accepted at that time, with today, to see that they are miles apart.
      
      I do genuinely believe that many of the new writers are simply looking for a way to improve their standard of living. Unfortunately, English is not their first language and many are at the beginning of a steep learning curve.
      
      Nonetheless, I don't believe that the referral scheme is to blame for this influx. It is more than likely due to a myriad of ebooks claiming that individuals can become millionaires by blogging/writing on platforms such as HP.

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   wildernessposted 4 years ago

   I'm a little confused.  The only referral program I can think of is the one where we can earn from the hubs of someone that signed up via our referral link and number.  I don't see how that program could ever be accused of promoting the spammers that simply post their junk on the forums and disappear.
   
   I'm also not real sure how HP could suddenly decide that they would no longer pay the hubber for the people they signed up.  Seems like violating the "contract" between HP and the hubber, although it could have been written to give that option - I'm not sure if it was or not.

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      paradigmsearchposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      "written to give that option"
      
      Yep, it was. Years ago.

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3. 93

   Beth Eaglescliffeposted 4 years ago

   The number of spam threads you see depends on when you view the forum and how quickly HP staff delete them. Staff hope that Hubbers will use the spam report button to help them (and many do.)
   
   Sometimes literally more than half the threads are spam, but if an HP staff member is around they get deleted within half an hour or so of appearing. So not all Hubbers are aware of how bad the problem has become.

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   TessSchlesingerposted 4 years ago

   I don't think this has anything to do with referral scheme. It's just that spammers will place spam anywhere and everywhere to earn a buck. Hubpages, comparatively to other sites, has very little spam.
   
   As for the wannabe writers, hell, in my humble opinion, only about 5% of the populace has the skill to write. Unfortunately there are a million people out there telling people (and charging money) to teach wannabe writers how to earn money by their writing - big money.
   
   There is one helluve difference between being literate (or semi-literate) and creative writing or writing to a publishable standard.

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