**Guidelines** Posting Links to Other Sites
By GoAskAlice
@GoAskAlice (5808)
July 4, 2020 12:31pm CST
There seems to be some confusion about whether or not posting links to other sites is allowed, so I would like to make it quite clear, once and for all!
YOU MUST NOT POST A LINK when:
a) it is a referral or affiliate link of any kind
b) a link to your own blog, website, monetized YouTube video/channel &c.
c) the link has been shortened or obfuscated by any link shortening site so that it is not clear where the link leads. YouTube short links are acceptable: indeed, using the 'Share' button in YouTube to generate a link is the proper way to do it.
d) the link has nothing to do with the topic under discussion.
e) there is little or no descriptive text (i.e. 'discussion topic') about the link's contents.
YOU SHOULD POST A LINK when:
a) you are discussing a topic based on something you have read on the Internet. Rather than copying and pasting any more than a few sentences (which should always be clearly attributed, anyway) you should post a link to the article.
b) you are discussing a specific site, such as another writing or earning site. You should name the site clearly and post a link (NOT a referral link, of course) to the main page. You MUST NOT, of course, post a referral/affiliate code or indicate (either directly or indirectly) that you will supply one on request.
NOTE: If you do NOT name the site clearly and post the link to it, Admin is very likely to assume that you are planning to send a referral link to anyone who expresses interest and may well terminate your account..
******************************
I hope that everybody is now clear about when you should and when you should not post links. If you have any questions about this topic, I'll try and answer them in comments below.
114 people like this
66 responses
@Carmelanirel2 (8084)
• United States
5 Jul 20
It was suggested to me, but if I remember correctly, it is the same guidelines from before.
2 people like this
@Crazzydolphin2020 (59)
•
5 Jul 20
Seems like only a few so far but maybe others will see it throughout the discussion tomorrow when they are back like normal. One could only hope 
6 people like this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
4 Jul 20
also when discussing a site, don't "direct people to your profile or web page or encouraging people to message you for information" in your discussion, response or comment as mentioned in the community guidelines.
15 people like this
@GoAskAlice (5808)
•
4 Jul 20
I wasn't trying to rewrite the Guidelines or to give a complete run down. I'm just attempting to clarify some of the points which many people seem to get wrong.
8 people like this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
5 Jul 20
@GoAskAlice what i meant was, there have been posts that do mention the site, and don't put a link, but they mention those in their post or in the comments to check their profile or they will send the link even if the responder was just asking the name of the site. so it's not just about mentioning/not mentioning the site, putting/not putting a link. that's one more aspect that others forget.
also some posts have been deleted because they were milestone posts, not because they mention/did not mention the site, or that put/didn't put a link.
6 people like this
@Letranknight2015 (51531)
• Philippines
4 Jul 20
I guess no more YT videos for me, though it is related to post most of the time.
13 people like this
@GoAskAlice (5808)
•
4 Jul 20
If the video is relevant to the content of the discussion and, if it is your own video, it is not 'monetized' in any way - that is, you don't expect to profit from it, then it will usually be acceptable. If in doubt, ask me in a PM.
12 people like this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
4 Jul 20
@GoAskAlice What about songs using the share button on YouTube? If the post is about having a good day, or being happy, etc. Then you share a happy song, that is not yours. Is that acceptable?
12 people like this
@LadyDuck (458648)
• Switzerland
5 Jul 20
@GoAskAlice You are welcome, I suggested to all my followers... it was exhausting.
3 people like this
@porwest (78759)
• United States
4 Jul 20
I understand why this rule is in place. However, I have always said I think admin should have the wherewithal to be able to individually determine whether even a monetized link is relevant to the discussion. Not a complaint, just an observation. I think there is a determinable difference between spam and relevant linking, even if that link happens to be mine AND is monetized in some way. Either way, it's your site and these are your rules, and whether or not I agree with it 100%, of course I will abide.
12 people like this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
5 Jul 20
self-serving links can be put in your profile, but not allowed to direct people there.
6 people like this
@akalinus (40519)
• United States
6 Jul 20
@Mike197602 Now, I am more confused. If it is on youtube, we have to make sure it is not monetized before we can share it?
2 people like this
@GooglePlus (3807)
•
5 Jul 20
I am seeing it other way around. So if we are allowed to link, don't you think Mylot a discussion site will end up twitter.i.e. The essence will be gone.
2 people like this
@GoAskAlice (5808)
•
5 Jul 20
It's really very easy. You just copy the URL of the site you want to refer to by highlighting it in the address bar and pressing Ctrl+C, then paste it into your discussion/response/comment using Ctrl+V (and make sure there's a space either side of it). Try it some time, when it's appropriate to do so!
5 people like this
@gr8nana6 (6614)
• Conyers, Georgia
4 Jul 20
@GoAskAlice Thank you for the explanation, it is appreciated. While I am here I am not sure if we are allowed to post a recipe that is our own, not from the internet. Thanks in advance for your reply have a wonderful day.
10 people like this
@GoAskAlice (5808)
•
4 Jul 20
Yes, you can post your own recipes (written in your own words) but it should be worded in such a way as to make it a discussion. Just a list of ingredients and method would not do that.
@lovebuglena As you say, just posting a recipe on its own doesn't give much scope for discussion, does it?
9 people like this
@gr8nana6 (6614)
• Conyers, Georgia
4 Jul 20
@lovebuglena I did a discussion and added my cake recipe. Should I take it out?
6 people like this
@lovebuglena (43080)
• Staten Island, New York
4 Jul 20
Simply posting a recipe is not allowed here.
8 people like this
@lovebuglena (43080)
• Staten Island, New York
4 Jul 20
If I am writing a post about my experiences or a problem I encountered, etc. on writing & earning sites I a member of do I have to always include a link to the sites?
9 people like this
@GoAskAlice (5808)
•
5 Jul 20
No, a link is certainly not always necessary. Just giving the name of the site is usually sufficient, especially if it'a a site which you know is well-known. The main thing to remember is to always be open about the site you are discussing. If you are talking about Virily or HubPages or any other site, you should say so, otherwise some people will invariably ask in responses and that could lead to a suspicion that you are touting for referrals.
7 people like this
@akalinus (40519)
• United States
6 Jul 20
@GoAskAlice So if I want to discuss a problem on Swagbucks or Bing, I don't have to post a link for them?
2 people like this
@lovebuglena (43080)
• Staten Island, New York
5 Jul 20
@GoAskAlice Thanks for clarifying.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (94706)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
5 Jul 20
Thank you for sharing the information of what can be posted on this site.
9 people like this
@Butterfingers (66585)
• India
5 Jul 20
I have never posted any links just once I posted a discussion about a website of which am not a member and it was deleted and I was informed of sharing the website name completely of course not the referral link. I have understood it completely
9 people like this
@crossbones27 (48446)
• Mojave, California
5 Jul 20
Shrough was thinking every you tube video I posted was out of bounds. I never steer people wrong not intentionally anyway. Not to screw you over to get paid more or less. Which is what I am gathering. Its not hard people do not make it. It goes back to what your mamma taught treat people how you wanna be treated. Influx of lawyer responses now. 
8 people like this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
4 Jul 20
How about monetized Youtube videos we dont own because that video has a topic I wanna discuss.
8 people like this
@GoAskAlice (5808)
•
5 Jul 20
If you don't stand to benefit from it personally, that would be OK, of course.
5 people like this
@kobesbuddy (74663)
• East Tawas, Michigan
4 Jul 20
Thankyou, for making this very clear and easily understood.
7 people like this
@LindaOHio (156717)
• United States
4 Jul 20
Thank you for the info. Happy 4th of July!
8 people like this
