MLM Hubs are now verboten, says Team Hubpages

1. 87

   kschangposted 12 years ago

   Apparently all hubs that promote MLM will be unpublished as they are found. It's okay to review the PRODUCT. Here are the actual quotes:
   
   "Hubs that promote the products sold by a well-known MLMs are permitted, but Hubs that promote the use of MLMs are no longer allowed."
   
   "... hubs [that] ...offers advice on how to pick legitimate [MLMs]... is considered promotion of dubious offers, and is not permitted on HubPages."
   
   Feel free to flag the hubs that you find that touts any MLM for removal.

   replyreport
2. 68

   goldenpathposted 12 years ago

   I'm good with this move!  We're in a global down economy and vices of all kinds are out there to prey on victims who want to get ahead.  MLM, envelope stuffing and even network marketing is designed to take advantage of such an economy and of such a person.
   
   In my opinion this is HubPages' way of quality assurance.

   replyreport
   1. 71

      thisisoliposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Down With Avon!

      replyreport
   2. 70

      Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      An uninformed post. But, I'm not surprised.
      
      I am surprised by this move by HP and think it's foolish/wrong.

      replyreport
      1. 87

         kschangposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Yeah, I got a hub that explained what separates pseudo-MLM scams from legitimate MLMs, and it got banned too.   Had to repub it on my blog.
         
         I don't mind. They don't generate much traffic for me any way.

         replyreport
3. 76

   Lissieposted 12 years ago

   And this sort of crap is why I wrote my most recent hub. I justed searched avon on hubpages -there are legit hubs from top hubbers over 2 years old - which will presumably now be banned - who does that help?
   
   Changing the rules retrospectively is why many hubbers don't trust HP anymore.
   
   BTW I think MLM is pretty crap myself too - but that is hardly the point here

   replyreport
   1. 70

      Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      MLM offer products. The how-to of matrices are an option for those who want to take part. They don't have to take part and can just sell the products. A common misconception about the MLM industry.
      
      I spent 10+ years in the MLM industry, did a little recruiting and did some sales. Sales don't mean recruiting.

      replyreport
      1. 87

         kschangposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         The problem is all those pseudo-MLM scams claiming to be MLM muddying up the waters.   And some people honestly can't tell the difference.
         
         I mean, if you ask a MLMer, what is a pyramid scheme? They'll probably reply "it's illegal, and my MLM is not!"  If you ask them why, they start to stutter and hem/haw. Most of them don't really know the answer. They can't name the cases that defined the MLM industry today. Somehow, this was NEVER covered, so most MLMers have NO IDEA what's legal, and what's not. Add to that no uniform education standard on MLM (most just say sell stuff... AND recruit people) and you end up with scammy and scary high-pressure sales tactics.

         replyreport
   2. 59

      recommend1posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      And this is EXACTLY the point - when hubs are written in accordance with a current TOS it is not acceptable to retrospectively change the rules and dump all that work and the accumulated online juice of time.

      replyreport
4. 73

   Richieb799posted 12 years ago

   A lot of MLM's do make big promises though, a lot of internet MLM websites never take of and its only those at the top that benefit

   replyreport
5. 80

   QuestionMasterposted 12 years ago

   This has actually been around since, I believe, approximately March. It only applies to hubs that actively promote MLMs - if you write a hub giving all the facts, especially if it shows their faults, you may get an automatic warning on the hub but it won't be unpublished. I know, I've got a couple.
   
   I think it's a fair rule (unlike many of the other HP rule changes) because it's impossible for HP to personally check out each MLM and decide whether it was legitimate or not. And, if they allowed people to promote one, but not another, then they'd face accusations of being partial to a particular MLM. A blanket ban on promotion makes more sense.

   replyreport
   1. 87

      kschangposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Add to that the reverse-psychology spammers... They put "Is X a scam?" as the title then proceed to explain why X is NOT a scam... using all the bogus reasons. And yes, they're here on HP. Tons of them, who thought this is like those article spam farms.

      replyreport
6. 73

   brakel2posted 12 years ago

   So if you wrote an article reviewing an MLM and another non MLM (home based business and national chain) how does that count?

   replyreport
7. 83

   Maralexaposted 12 years ago

   Where did this quote come from, kschang?  The reason I ask is because what you have in quotes is written very bady.  I have not yet seen HubPages write this poorly.  So I wonder where you got this edict. 
   
   This has nothing to do with brake12's latest hub where she is 'promoting' the use of aroma therapy and in particular, safe candles, as a wonderful way to relax, rejuvenate, calm down, etc.  She shows where one can purchase these types of candles and also mentions Amazon as a supplier. 
   
   Also, how can you ban anything written about Avon??  Taking on the Avon products has helped many, many, many stay at home moms and others trying to make a few extra dollars in a classy way, stay alive.  These are legitimate ways of earning an extra income from product sales and are NOT in the class of scams!
   
   MLM, network marketing, and "envelope stuffing" are in no way similar.  "Envelope Stuffing" is attractive to greedy people who want to make money quickly and find that they are sold a scam.  The scam is the envelop stuffing.  Then they have to send out multiple letters, emails (spam) to suck others in.  MLM and network marketing are both legitimate ways of doing business.
   
   So before we all make comments we may regret later, how about finding out what HubPages' rules are first!
   
   This is not a thread about MLMs and whether they are good or 'bad'.  This is about whether or not hubs can be written about generic products and pointing to some ways of purchasing the products. 
   
   What brake12 wrote in her hub is EXACTLY what I want to read.  It was beautiful and helpful.  Sorry for utilizing your hub as an example, brake12.  I think it deserves being a hub of the day!

   replyreport
   1. 73

      brakel2posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Maralexa - I wish I could read the rules. Maybe this info has come from hubbers who have unpublished their hubs per instructions. Someone has a bunch of hubs with links to what may be a specific home based product. Maybe that is one example. Hopefully, someone can clarify this issue.

      replyreport
   2. 87

      kschangposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Came straight via e-mail, no editing was involved.
      
      I'll post the entire e-mail if you wish.

      replyreport
   3. 87

      kschangposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Here's the actual e-mail in question, I've removed my e-mail address
      
      
      Team HubPages to me
      show details Sep 6 (5 days ago)
      
      team@hubpages.com
      Hello,
      
      Hubs that promote the products sold by a well-known MLMs are permitted, but Hubs that promote the use of MLMs are no longer allowed.
      
      Please feel free to flag any content you believe is in violation of this rule.
      - Hide quoted text -
      
      
      On Tue, Sep 6, 2011 at 6:12 PM, Kasey Chang <XXXXXXXX@gmail.com> wrote:
      I have revised the hubs. They now no longer suggest ANY sort of legitimacy on MLM at all.
      
      http://kschang.hubpages.com/hub/Network … efore-You- Join
      This one lists 7 ways how MLM takes advantage of vulnerable people.
      
      http://kschang.hubpages.com/hub/How-to- … a-Network- Marketing-Opportunity
      This is purely a research article on what sort of information can you rely on when it comes to Network Marketing. Most info must be taken with a truckload of salt. It has no endorsements. It is basically "how to parse Internet research".
      
      http://kschang.hubpages.com/hub/9-signs … lly-a-scam
      This one is obvious: 9 signs that shows you for sure you're in a scam
      
      http://kschang.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-distinguish-a- Legitimate-MLM-from-a-Fake-MLM
      This one I will delete myself.
      
      However, I would suggest you review this policy. Is it HP policy now that NO MLM hubs are allowed? Should members start flagging all MLM promo hubs or even hubs that claim MLM is a great income opportunity?
      
      --KC
      
      
      On Tue, Sep 6, 2011 at 4:54 PM, Team HubPages <team@hubpages.com> wrote:
      Hello KC,
      
      As you have stated, these hubs not only criticize MLMs but "...offers advice on how to pick legitimate ones." This is considered promotion of dubious offers, and is not permitted on HubPages. Let us know if you have any questions.
      
      
      On Mon, Sep 5, 2011 at 7:29 PM, Kasey Chang <XXXXXXXX@gmail.com> wrote:
      Dear HP,
      
      I am kschang on HP. Several of my MLM criticism hubs were moderated on
      as "dubious offers", and I don't know why. There was not a SINGLE link
      to an existing MLM in these hubs! In fact, all of them are CRITICAL of
      such programs, and urges caution, and offers advice on how to pick
      legitimate ones! Just look at the URLs!
      
      http://kschang.hubpages.com/hub/Network … e-You-Join
      http://kschang.hubpages.com/hub/How-to- … a-Fake-MLM
      http://kschang.hubpages.com/hub/How-to- … pportunity
      http://kschang.hubpages.com/hub/9-signs … lly-a-scam
      
      What do I have to do specifically to bring these hubs into compliance?
      
      --KC
      --
      Thanks,
      Team HubPages

      replyreport
8. 73

   brakel2posted 12 years ago

   Thanks kschang. Still a little confusing. I guess it says you can review a product but not evaluate the Mlm co as good or bad

   replyreport
9. 83

   Maralexaposted 12 years ago

   I thank you too, kschang.  It is still not clear if HP hubs can or can not mention products sold by MLMs.  "...offers advice on how to pick legitimate ones." This is considered promotion of dubious offers, and is not permitted on HubPages. Let us know if you have any questions.
   
   If the above quote comes from HP, what is HP saying about MLMs?  Can we get a clarification on this, please?
   
   Not only would I like to share info on products from one or two MLMs, I would also like to discuss how joining the program allows a person to get product for fewer dollars.  Surely there can't be anything wrong with that?

   replyreport
   1. 77

      Sally's Troveposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      MLM is a viable business model. It works well for many, both those at the top and those at the bottom. It should not be a topic that is banned.

      replyreport
      1. 70

         Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Agreed.

         replyreport
   2. 87

      kschangposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It came from HP. See my "entire email".
      
      One of my hubs offers advice on what separates a legitimate MLM vs. a scam. It was unpub'ed.
      
      "Joining the program allows a person to get product for fewer dollars"... are you aware that the case "FTC vs. Omnitrition" established that "self-consumption" is NOT a valid method to comply with the "70% sales to ultimate user" Amway rules, and thus, would make the company liable to be considered an illegal pyramid scheme?

      replyreport
10. 78

    skyfireposted 12 years ago

    I don't think it is a bad move at all. Try to put yourself in paul's shoes and think about it. I agree that some of the changes in past were not good at all but if they're cracking down on adult and MLM niche hubs then it's perfectly fine with me. None of the top content farms are allowing MLM on their website, so why should HP ? We're talking about content network with VC investment and not solo funded wordpress built revenue sharing site.

    replyreport
    1. 77

       Sally's Troveposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       No topic should be excluded from being published on HP, including erectile dysfunction, pedophilia, masturbation, penises, Forex and MLM. Many people write informative articles on these topics without promoting them. The problem is that HP has no screening system to separate the promotional from the informational.
       
       Then there's the Google crap, what you can and can't write about in order to see Google ads on your page or in order to not get banned from Google.
       
       I have no interest in putting my feet in Paul's or any other HP owner's shoes. It is what it is, and I know the rules. But, IMO, the rules need considered revision.

       replyreport