Link redirection
Sep 29, 2009 | 7:10 pm
#1
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, Breezy 2
Posts: 12,608
Link redirection
Randy,
I thought that I had never started a thread on ORP in my nine years of FT, but a quick search did show that I did start one about eight years ago. So much for being able to state that I'm not a complainer....
But I am posting to ask you to comment on the topic of how all of the outbound links on FT, including those posted far before the IB purchase of FT such as this one from 1999, are now being redirected by FT via an intermediary site called redirectingat.com. It appears that this site has the potential (if it's not doing it already) to add affiliate referral codes to member's outbound links. It also has the potential to make FT virtually useless at work for people who work for companies which frown on JavaScript redirection.
A thread was posted on September 23, four full business days ago, on the Technical Issues forum, inquiring about the purpose and use of this redirection. Those more technical than I have noticed that the redirection uses a product/service called "Skimlinks." [That name is not a great marketing statement...] As of the last time I checked a couple of minutes ago, there was no response from anybody from HOM/IB.
Now, you know because we've sparred about this in the past... I'm all for you making money. I've been of the "FT is a business not a public utility" camp all along, and usually you get perturbed at me when I post something like "It's a business...." or "follow the money." But I am dismayed at the stealth implementation of this approach. It has the potential to destroy the conga lines in the SPAM forum - something of which I do not partake but where there are loyal FT members who derive value from it.
IB is obviously making money off of the contributions of the FT members. They wouldn't have approached you to purchase the site otherwise. That's fine, and it makes sense to have obvious advertising on the site for those like me who are not inclined to pay for FT Premium or whatever the $12/year version is called these days.
But there is a substantial difference between up front, we're here to make a buck while you all talk amongst yourselves, marketing... vs. stealth. At the very best, this has been handled horribly. At the worst... well I won't go there.
As the public face of FT, please look into this matter. I and the others who have noticed this new turn of behavior by FT await your response.
Nick
I thought that I had never started a thread on ORP in my nine years of FT, but a quick search did show that I did start one about eight years ago. So much for being able to state that I'm not a complainer....
But I am posting to ask you to comment on the topic of how all of the outbound links on FT, including those posted far before the IB purchase of FT such as this one from 1999, are now being redirected by FT via an intermediary site called redirectingat.com. It appears that this site has the potential (if it's not doing it already) to add affiliate referral codes to member's outbound links. It also has the potential to make FT virtually useless at work for people who work for companies which frown on JavaScript redirection.
A thread was posted on September 23, four full business days ago, on the Technical Issues forum, inquiring about the purpose and use of this redirection. Those more technical than I have noticed that the redirection uses a product/service called "Skimlinks." [That name is not a great marketing statement...] As of the last time I checked a couple of minutes ago, there was no response from anybody from HOM/IB.
Now, you know because we've sparred about this in the past... I'm all for you making money. I've been of the "FT is a business not a public utility" camp all along, and usually you get perturbed at me when I post something like "It's a business...." or "follow the money." But I am dismayed at the stealth implementation of this approach. It has the potential to destroy the conga lines in the SPAM forum - something of which I do not partake but where there are loyal FT members who derive value from it.
IB is obviously making money off of the contributions of the FT members. They wouldn't have approached you to purchase the site otherwise. That's fine, and it makes sense to have obvious advertising on the site for those like me who are not inclined to pay for FT Premium or whatever the $12/year version is called these days.
But there is a substantial difference between up front, we're here to make a buck while you all talk amongst yourselves, marketing... vs. stealth. At the very best, this has been handled horribly. At the worst... well I won't go there.
As the public face of FT, please look into this matter. I and the others who have noticed this new turn of behavior by FT await your response.
Nick
Oct 1, 2009 | 7:27 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 1999
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Diamond, United Silver
Posts: 16,875
Randy,
I thought that I had never started a thread on ORP in my nine years of FT, but a quick search did show that I did start one about eight years ago. So much for being able to state that I'm not a complainer....
But I am posting to ask you to comment on the topic of how all of the outbound links on FT, including those posted far before the IB purchase of FT such as this one from 1999, are now being redirected by FT via an intermediary site called redirectingat.com. It appears that this site has the potential (if it's not doing it already) to add affiliate referral codes to member's outbound links. It also has the potential to make FT virtually useless at work for people who work for companies which frown on JavaScript redirection.
A thread was posted on September 23, four full business days ago, on the Technical Issues forum, inquiring about the purpose and use of this redirection. Those more technical than I have noticed that the redirection uses a product/service called "Skimlinks." [That name is not a great marketing statement...] As of the last time I checked a couple of minutes ago, there was no response from anybody from HOM/IB.
Now, you know because we've sparred about this in the past... I'm all for you making money. I've been of the "FT is a business not a public utility" camp all along, and usually you get perturbed at me when I post something like "It's a business...." or "follow the money." But I am dismayed at the stealth implementation of this approach. It has the potential to destroy the conga lines in the SPAM forum - something of which I do not partake but where there are loyal FT members who derive value from it.
IB is obviously making money off of the contributions of the FT members. They wouldn't have approached you to purchase the site otherwise. That's fine, and it makes sense to have obvious advertising on the site for those like me who are not inclined to pay for FT Premium or whatever the $12/year version is called these days.
But there is a substantial difference between up front, we're here to make a buck while you all talk amongst yourselves, marketing... vs. stealth. At the very best, this has been handled horribly. At the worst... well I won't go there.
As the public face of FT, please look into this matter. I and the others who have noticed this new turn of behavior by FT await your response.
Nick
I thought that I had never started a thread on ORP in my nine years of FT, but a quick search did show that I did start one about eight years ago. So much for being able to state that I'm not a complainer....
But I am posting to ask you to comment on the topic of how all of the outbound links on FT, including those posted far before the IB purchase of FT such as this one from 1999, are now being redirected by FT via an intermediary site called redirectingat.com. It appears that this site has the potential (if it's not doing it already) to add affiliate referral codes to member's outbound links. It also has the potential to make FT virtually useless at work for people who work for companies which frown on JavaScript redirection.
A thread was posted on September 23, four full business days ago, on the Technical Issues forum, inquiring about the purpose and use of this redirection. Those more technical than I have noticed that the redirection uses a product/service called "Skimlinks." [That name is not a great marketing statement...] As of the last time I checked a couple of minutes ago, there was no response from anybody from HOM/IB.
Now, you know because we've sparred about this in the past... I'm all for you making money. I've been of the "FT is a business not a public utility" camp all along, and usually you get perturbed at me when I post something like "It's a business...." or "follow the money." But I am dismayed at the stealth implementation of this approach. It has the potential to destroy the conga lines in the SPAM forum - something of which I do not partake but where there are loyal FT members who derive value from it.
IB is obviously making money off of the contributions of the FT members. They wouldn't have approached you to purchase the site otherwise. That's fine, and it makes sense to have obvious advertising on the site for those like me who are not inclined to pay for FT Premium or whatever the $12/year version is called these days.
But there is a substantial difference between up front, we're here to make a buck while you all talk amongst yourselves, marketing... vs. stealth. At the very best, this has been handled horribly. At the worst... well I won't go there.
As the public face of FT, please look into this matter. I and the others who have noticed this new turn of behavior by FT await your response.
Nick
This is despicable behavior. The URL presented to me should take me directly to that page, not to some marketing/revenue-generation site I have no knowledge of or control of before-hand. It's browser hijacking, plain and simple.
Randy, can you look into this? Until this is corrected I will not click a single link out of FT.
Oct 1, 2009 | 3:25 pm
#3
Founder of FlyerTalk
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 6,540
A good question and rightful concerns from both of you. Here's what I know ... nothing. I'm no longer involved in these sorts of tech or advertising things and so I'm starting from the same point you are. Having said that, I do know where I can get some answers and will do so on your as well as my behalf.
Here's what I do know: Our volunteer Moderators have already introduced the topic to Internet Brands and had requested some comments form them during an online tech chat with Internet Brands. It was suggested by them that they will give us some information forthcoming regarding this. I did notice that they suggested it was a test. I recall that they have done tests of various things in the past (just as most any Web sites will do), so let me get with them for what this is all about and then report back.
Frankly I had never heard of skimlinks until you mentioned it. But there is always something popping up all the time for Web sites to consider adding. Some are pretty interesting, others mere junk.
Bottom line -- deserves a look at, so stay tuned.
Here's what I do know: Our volunteer Moderators have already introduced the topic to Internet Brands and had requested some comments form them during an online tech chat with Internet Brands. It was suggested by them that they will give us some information forthcoming regarding this. I did notice that they suggested it was a test. I recall that they have done tests of various things in the past (just as most any Web sites will do), so let me get with them for what this is all about and then report back.
Frankly I had never heard of skimlinks until you mentioned it. But there is always something popping up all the time for Web sites to consider adding. Some are pretty interesting, others mere junk.
Bottom line -- deserves a look at, so stay tuned.
Nov 9, 2009 | 6:18 am
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: NYC (formerly BOS/DCA)
Programs: UA 1K, IC RA
Posts: 60,745
Randy, it's been over a month since you said link redirection "deserves a look." Have you looked? What is or was going on? Is IBB going through with their link redirection "idea"?