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Ask HN: Do you knowingly avoid affiliate links?
I recently noticed a behavior that I am actively trying to change: I used to avoid clicking on affiliate links, even if I wanted to get to the provider in the end (I'd strip it out or type it in myself). I don't know why I did this, but I've talked with others who've done the same. Realizing that this does no harm to me but benefits others, I always click through affiliate links now.
Have you done the same? Any reason for why we do this? Are affiliate links a sleazy way to get in on something or a legitimate way to earn a buck for sending people somewhere useful? (Okay, not so much that last question, but the previous two.)
- jayhuang 13y agoAbsolutely. If you point out that it's an affiliate link, I'm perfectly fine with letting you get the upside. Otherwise I look at the anchor URL and get rid of the ref code. It's not a big deal but it's annoying seeing people use blog posts or forum comments to post stuff they normally wouldn't if they weren't incentivized.
- krrishd 13y agoI click them knowingly. Personally, if they have provided a resource that is of value to me, and I am not losing anything in the process, then fine, let them have their incentive. I win a good resource, they get a few dollars, no one is losing here.
- TheLoneWolfling 13y agoIf the person posting the link mentions that it is an affiliate link, I follow it. Otherwise, I'll strip it out. Same with ad.fly etc. etc. If they provide an alternative, I'll generally follow the link. Otherwise I won't.
- ScottWhigham 13y agoIt depends. I like to support blogs/etc that are free to use and, if they suggest something I like/want, I will click it. If it's just some random person in a forum/facebook/search result, yes I'd avoid it.
- t_s 13y agoThis is my usual behavior as well - if it looks like an advertisement or low-quality post to show something off, I wont. If it's someone I follow and they occasionally share something that is genuinely helpful I will click through.