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We do use affiliate IDs but we don't ever redirect without user's explicit permission (user has to click a button). Is it really evil? why?

apgwoz 17y ago
I think some people perceive affiliate marketing as an evil practice because it's generally tied to spammy sites. However, in this case, the evilness comes from the fact that you have immense power. How do I know you're not linking me to a deal where you get a higher commission, instead of the deal that saves me a little extra money? Ultimately, a deal is a deal, and the maker of a product has the right to make some money. Put up a disclaimer, and if people find it valuable, which it sounds like they might, most ultimately won't even care.
- shadchnev 17y ago
  Yes, you're right, there is no way of knowing that we suggest the best bargain and not the most profitable affiliate link. However, we promise we are not doing this because we believe that the way to success is by providing the best service for the user, so irrespective of the commission, you'll always get the biggest price difference we have.
- sho 17y ago
  "the evilness comes from the fact that you have immense power" This is exactly right, IMO. If your product becomes successful, it will be incredibly tempting to tamper with the results to maximise your profits. You might think you are an honest person, and I'm sure you are, but what if one day you realise that just by making one little change, sending people to shop X instead of shop Y, you can make, say, $1000/day commission .. how many people wouldn't at least be tempted? Being put in this kind of situation corrupts almost everyone. Because of this, I think people are very suspicious of affiliate arrangements. I'd advise you to make it very clear that you're sending people to affiliate links - maybe even go over the top into radical transparency and explicitly give another link, the non-affiliate one. Put (Support this plugin!) and (Do not support this plugin.) after the links, give people the very clear option to choose one of the two. Make it clear that the non-affiliate link is exactly the same price as the affiliate one. If they feel like they are making the choice, many will no doubt opt to support you. But if they get the idea there is anything sneaky about it, they may get very hostile. I would really err on the side of transparency. Anyway, just some ideas ..

apgwoz 17y ago

I think some people perceive affiliate marketing as an evil practice because it's generally tied to spammy sites. However, in this case, the evilness comes from the fact that you have immense power. How do I know you're not linking me to a deal where you get a higher commission, instead of the deal that saves me a little extra money? Ultimately, a deal is a deal, and the maker of a product has the right to make some money. Put up a disclaimer, and if people find it valuable, which it sounds like they might, most ultimately won't even care.

shadchnev 17y ago
Yes, you're right, there is no way of knowing that we suggest the best bargain and not the most profitable affiliate link. However, we promise we are not doing this because we believe that the way to success is by providing the best service for the user, so irrespective of the commission, you'll always get the biggest price difference we have.
sho 17y ago
"the evilness comes from the fact that you have immense power" This is exactly right, IMO. If your product becomes successful, it will be incredibly tempting to tamper with the results to maximise your profits. You might think you are an honest person, and I'm sure you are, but what if one day you realise that just by making one little change, sending people to shop X instead of shop Y, you can make, say, $1000/day commission .. how many people wouldn't at least be tempted? Being put in this kind of situation corrupts almost everyone. Because of this, I think people are very suspicious of affiliate arrangements. I'd advise you to make it very clear that you're sending people to affiliate links - maybe even go over the top into radical transparency and explicitly give another link, the non-affiliate one. Put (Support this plugin!) and (Do not support this plugin.) after the links, give people the very clear option to choose one of the two. Make it clear that the non-affiliate link is exactly the same price as the affiliate one. If they feel like they are making the choice, many will no doubt opt to support you. But if they get the idea there is anything sneaky about it, they may get very hostile. I would really err on the side of transparency. Anyway, just some ideas ..