Why is that? And why did you put a question mark after that sentence? Heh, just kidding. :)

“Why would you care if Chris makes a few cents off selling a book he genuinely likes?”

I don’t mind that at all. I’ve even said in the comments on other posts of his that I have no problem with the Google ads in his RSS feed or the ads on the right of the page, because it is clear that they are ads. Deception is what I don’t like.

“He would (I imagine given the rave he wrote) write a post about it even if he didn’t make money.”

That’s not the issue. I’m sure Chris really does like the book. But he tagged the post a review. It’s not a review. It’s an ad. A review should highlight both the positive and negative aspects of a product, not just say, “this is great great great.” I doubt his rave would have been quite so… positive… were he not making money each time someone purchased. This would all be irrelevant, however, if he were more up front about what he is doing.

“It’s simple and smart to use Amazon links not for the money (because it isn’t much) but to see what your audience likes and buys, or doesn’t.”

That’s fine, but just be honest about doing it.

Why is that? And why did you put a question mark after that sentence? Heh, just kidding. :)

“Why would you care if Chris makes a few cents off selling a book he genuinely likes?”

I don’t mind that at all. I’ve even said in the comments on other posts of his that I have no problem with the Google ads in his RSS feed or the ads on the right of the page, because it is clear that they are ads. Deception is what I don’t like.

“He would (I imagine given the rave he wrote) write a post about it even if he didn’t make money.”

That’s not the issue. I’m sure Chris really does like the book. But he tagged the post a review. It’s not a review. It’s an ad. A review should highlight both the positive and negative aspects of a product, not just say, “this is great great great.” I doubt his rave would have been quite so… positive… were he not making money each time someone purchased. This would all be irrelevant, however, if he were more up front about what he is doing.

“It’s simple and smart to use Amazon links not for the money (because it isn’t much) but to see what your audience likes and buys, or doesn’t.”

That’s fine, but just be honest about doing it.

“I believe Chris properly disclosed the status of the affiliated nature of the links.”

So does this mean you didn’t read the post? Because he didn’t disclose that at all.

“For one, it’s widely known Amazon has an affiliate program; second, anyone can mouseover his links and discover the affiliate.”

If you know what affiliate links look like. Many people would not even think to do that and if they did would just see a long URL.

“Basically, Chris isn’t masking, burying or doing _anything_ deceptive with the links. More power to him that he shares WHY he loves the book.”

But he didn’t share the real reason he loves the book… that it makes him money! Heh, just kidding, I’m sure he really does like the book, but come on. Tagging it as a review? It’s an ad! I just think it should be labeled as such.

“I believe Chris properly disclosed the status of the affiliated nature of the links.”

So does this mean you didn’t read the post? Because he didn’t disclose that at all.

“For one, it’s widely known Amazon has an affiliate program; second, anyone can mouseover his links and discover the affiliate.”

If you know what affiliate links look like. Many people would not even think to do that and if they did would just see a long URL.

“Basically, Chris isn’t masking, burying or doing _anything_ deceptive with the links. More power to him that he shares WHY he loves the book.”

But he didn’t share the real reason he loves the book… that it makes him money! Heh, just kidding, I’m sure he really does like the book, but come on. Tagging it as a review? It’s an ad! I just think it should be labeled as such.

Basically, Chris isn’t masking, burying or doing _anything_ deceptive with the links. More power to him that he shares WHY he loves the book.

–Joe

Basically, Chris isn’t masking, burying or doing _anything_ deceptive with the links. More power to him that he shares WHY he loves the book.

–Joe

I’m not saying you don’t have the right to dedicate entire posts to advertising your affiliate links, but I am saying that you should be more upfront about it.

I’m not saying you don’t have the right to dedicate entire posts to advertising your affiliate links, but I am saying that you should be more upfront about it.