How are so many people getting away with posting spam affiliate links?

United States
June 13, 2008 2:02pm CST
So,here's my question. If affiliate links and spam links aren't allowed, then why are there literally thousands of spam links on Mylot? If we're not supposed to post affiliate links, then why are so many people getting away with it? Decent and worthy discussions are being deleted daily. I hear complaints all the time. But these spam affiliate links (bux whoever) discussions are still up. Check it out for yourself. Hop on over to the Money making or business forums and you see them everywhere. If they were so "illegal" or against the rules, wouldn't those discussions have already been deleted. I've seen some discussions with affiliate links dating back over a year and they're still up. What's your thoughts on this? Is it possible that "in context" of the discussion the affiliate links are allowable. For example, if someone asks the question, "What's the best online money making program. Post your link." Would it be considered "in context" or allowable to post an affiliate link or link to a business website that would answer the person's question? Is that why there are so many spam links, because the person simply asked for them? What's your thoughts on this?
1 person likes this
4 responses
chrislotz
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
14 Jun 08
I don't understand it anymore either. I see referral links all over this site and they don't get deleted. I see discussions that in my opinion, aren't against any rules and they get deleted. That is one of the reasons I stay behind in mylot. By the time I get to the discussion from my email, if it is going to be deleted, it is by then. So I am not wasting any time posting to it and then getting deleted. I think the only way that a referral link posting gets deleted is if someone reports it as abusive. I don't think mylot people can look at every thing posted here, they would only look at the ones reported, is what I think. Or they may only look at discussions at random. Whatever way they do it, it is not possible for them to look at every posting.
beautyqueen26
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
14 Jun 08
I believe you are right. I think that Mylot only deletes a discussion when it is blatantly offensive as in hatred. Or, if a person reports that discussion, then it gets deleted even if it's not offensive. A lot of people don't know that also takes away money from every person who has posted a response on that discussion. It's ironic, because sometimes the person who has spitefully reported a discussion for no good reason, ends up losing points on their star and losing money too. They have just hurt themselves over petty behavior! Be well. Thanks for adding a wonderful insight to the discussion.
chrislotz
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
14 Jun 08
Thanks, you are right about the money part. I never report anyone for abuse, except once I had no choice because I had a stalker and I had to get rid of her.
Marsha Cooper
@marsha32 (6631)
• United States
16 Jun 08
I apparently need to read up on what it's ok to post about and not post about... but if ppl can just come in and post pretty much needless stuff, then why can't we try to get ourselves some referrals in programs that we are in. I don't consider posting a referral link as spam...after all, just move on if you aren't interested. I will go try to read the posting rules now :) Marsha
beautyqueen26
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
17 Jun 08
I'm not bashing affiliate links in general. I was trying to point out that those are usually against the rules, yet the discussions that contain them are not being removed. So why then would decent, non-offensive discussions be removed. We couldn't figure it out either.
Heather Echola
@GardenGerty (157562)
• United States
13 Jun 08
With over 130,000 users, admin counts on myLot members to report abuse. If it is not reported, they do not see it. There are also, I am sure, cases where the link is given in context, and therefore is legal. I also know that sometimes the links are just responses to questions from another user.
beautyqueen26
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
14 Jun 08
I've seen that too. I guess I'm just frustrated that really decent discussions are being deleted for seemingly no reason, just because someone or anyone reported it. But, the spam stuff is still up. I'm saying, "How is that fair?" Of course, it's not.
alexwander
@alexwander (170)
• Canada
14 Jun 08
For the technical things, detecting an affiliate link is easy. I mean detecting a pattern of urls with affiliate. Mylot should implement such strategy. I once post a comment about Richard Cheney, couldn't refer him as D--- Cheney because the D--- word, even I meant an alternative to Richard.