Forum Member Affiliate Links Policy Reconsideration?
Dec 14, 2013, 12:17 pm
#61
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Does FT have self-conflicting TOS?
2). When I see someone may take advantage of a conga referral, I provide such info and point out the link to the existing conga thread in SPAM Forum. I don't give out my personal referral links in non-SPAM fora, because I want to help fellow FTers, not for personal gain. Also because I believe it's violating TOS to publicize one's referral links in non-conga threads on FT.
Here's one example from a random FT'er,
Are you aware there's already an existing BigCrumbs conga thread on FT? I have to ask since I searched and didn't see you participate in this particular conga.
With due respect, I personally do have problem with such practice, and had clearly stated my reasoning back in 2011:
First things first. I believe forum TOS shouldn't contradict with each other. Since conga and referrals are supposed to appear in SPAM Forum, this forum sticky specifies how to do conga in SPAM Forum:
There are quite a few conga threads in SPAM Forum and some are more active than others. Here are 3 conga examples:
1. Big Crumbs Conga:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/s-p-m...bigcrumbs.html
2. Mr. Rebates Conga:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/s-p-m...-up-bonus.html
3. Cashbaq Conga:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/s-p-m...baq-conga.html
Occasionally, there are few FTers who'd cut in line and post their referral links without following the above guideline. SPAM MOD and forum frequent have no problem working together to get things back to order and remove such posts/links. (Thanks to SPAM MODs! )
What you may not be aware is there are some FTers who either have referral links for said websites in their signatures, or post their referral links in posts (with their signature) outside SPAM Forum. This type of posting behavior, without discussing the inconsistency of moderation in taking out (or not) this type of posts, essentially is breaking the existing congalines in SPAM Forum.
What bothers me most is the disrespect of TOS. I am not happy with condoning such behavior outside SPAM Forum either. Such referral links are for one's personal gain and nothing greater.
Referral bonuses and conga lines
If you wish to start a new "conga" referral thread you MUST identify it as a "conga" and you MUST post a unique referral link. Please, when posting to a conga thread, use the person who posted his/her link last. Pure referrals ("You and I will each earn $xx if I refer you to this offer") are not allowed.
If you wish to start a new "conga" referral thread you MUST identify it as a "conga" and you MUST post a unique referral link. Please, when posting to a conga thread, use the person who posted his/her link last. Pure referrals ("You and I will each earn $xx if I refer you to this offer") are not allowed.
1. Big Crumbs Conga:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/s-p-m...bigcrumbs.html
2. Mr. Rebates Conga:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/s-p-m...-up-bonus.html
3. Cashbaq Conga:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/s-p-m...baq-conga.html
Occasionally, there are few FTers who'd cut in line and post their referral links without following the above guideline. SPAM MOD and forum frequent have no problem working together to get things back to order and remove such posts/links. (Thanks to SPAM MODs! )
What you may not be aware is there are some FTers who either have referral links for said websites in their signatures, or post their referral links in posts (with their signature) outside SPAM Forum. This type of posting behavior, without discussing the inconsistency of moderation in taking out (or not) this type of posts, essentially is breaking the existing congalines in SPAM Forum.
What bothers me most is the disrespect of TOS. I am not happy with condoning such behavior outside SPAM Forum either. Such referral links are for one's personal gain and nothing greater.
Dec 15, 2013, 11:23 am
#62
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There's currently a promo for La Quinta, and one of the ways to earn tokens for spins is to refer friends. There's a conga in S.P.A.M., yet there are two threads in the Other Hotels forum with referral links (at least 3 people have posted referral links). I think there needs to be a reconsideration of the policy.
Dec 18, 2013, 6:49 am
#63
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There's currently a promo for La Quinta, and one of the ways to earn tokens for spins is to refer friends. There's a conga in S.P.A.M., yet there are two threads in the Other Hotels forum with referral links (at least 3 people have posted referral links). I think there needs to be a reconsideration of the policy.
So many policies, so many interpretations, and some little or no reinforcement. And the silence, so deafening. Sigh.
Dec 18, 2013, 5:46 pm
#64
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Dec 19, 2013, 8:28 am
#65
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I think it's fair to ask what's happening with the TOS revision (which was supposed to be released earlier this year) to see how it addresses the issue. It's something I've been wondering about as well. If the revision has been completed, it would be nice to get it posted. If input is still being sought, I'd hope the TOS committee would be directed to this thread.
I do know the CommunityDirector was unavailable recently & now most of us are running into holidays/also being unavailable (except for kipper who probably has to work since she's got a new job
), so I'd say this will be something we get to in January.
Cheers.
I do know the CommunityDirector was unavailable recently & now most of us are running into holidays/also being unavailable (except for kipper who probably has to work since she's got a new job
), so I'd say this will be something we get to in January.Cheers.
Dec 19, 2013, 8:47 am
#66
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No, I was only making the point that practice does not always precisely reflect policy, and that any policy which FlyerTalk adopts requires manual enforcement. Moderators do not read every post. This means members must report violations, and must also accept that moderation is judgment. When a moderator does not act on a report it does not mean that it wasn't evaluated. It means the moderator reached a different conclusion.
The notion that all moderators ought make identical decisions is unrealistic and undesirable. This is explicitly addressed the Terms:
I would like to better understand the motivation for purging referral links. I'm seeing two different strains of thought. Some say that referrals causes post padding (which is already a rules violation). Others seem to begrudge the "free advertising". Do we really want to create a policy based on spite?
The notion that all moderators ought make identical decisions is unrealistic and undesirable. This is explicitly addressed the Terms:
Moderators understand that the various FlyerTalk forums have slightly different tones. What's acceptable in one forum may be considered out of line on another.
Dec 19, 2013, 9:49 am
#67
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Where Are They?
I think it's fair to ask what's happening with the TOS revision (which was supposed to be released earlier this year) to see how it addresses the issue. It's something I've been wondering about as well. If the revision has been completed, it would be nice to get it posted. If input is still being sought, I'd hope the TOS committee would be directed to this thread.
She's been posting in other fora since this thread started (I found 19 posts from her this December):
(bolding mine )
Last edited by lin821; Dec 20, 2013 at 11:50 am Reason: adding a link & clarification
Dec 19, 2013, 11:11 am
#68
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I don't feel a need to track how many times the CD has posted on FT since a thread was started. Heck, for all I know, 19 is slow compared to what the CD normally posts! I know that for the most part she was unavailable recently & will be the same for the next week or so. The reasons are not FTers' business.
BTW - we get you feel strongly about this issue & what your viewpoint is re: it. Others don't feel as strongly about it/it isn't as much of a concern to them & as far as they're concerned no action needs to be taken. And others, such as mia, are trying to understand different strains of thoughts before deciding on their viewpoint.
Cheers.
Mar 14, 2014, 8:27 am
#69
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I wanted to bump this thread as I would like to add myself to the list of people who is becoming increasingly frustrated with how prolific bold red signatures that only contain links to 4 credit card referrals. Not only are the attention grabbing signatures an eye sore, but many of these posters are not spamming per ce but are simply reposting already stated or obvious information in repeated efforts to broaden their exposure. These referral links are not just an eyesore and turning signatures off or ignoring individual users does not mitigate the problem resulting from all this "non-information" making threads longer, less pertinent, and harder to search for real information.
Mark
Mark
Mar 17, 2014, 7:29 am
#70
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I wanted to bump this thread as I would like to add myself to the list of people who is becoming increasingly frustrated with how prolific bold red signatures that only contain links to 4 credit card referrals. Not only are the attention grabbing signatures an eye sore, but many of these posters are not spamming per ce but are simply reposting already stated or obvious information in repeated efforts to broaden their exposure. These referral links are not just an eyesore and turning signatures off or ignoring individual users does not mitigate the problem resulting from all this "non-information" making threads longer, less pertinent, and harder to search for real information.
Mark
Mark
Mar 17, 2014, 8:03 am
#71
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Mar 17, 2014, 5:35 pm
#72
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Please, do something!!!
Mar 19, 2014, 9:15 am
#73
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Ditto for me. It seems that everyone has some sort of a cash back/blog link, someway to make money scheme in their signature.
Is FT turning into the Fat Wallet of travel? I'm now starting to see people who are trying to make money from various schemes being posted and advertising them in their signatures
Is FT turning into the Fat Wallet of travel? I'm now starting to see people who are trying to make money from various schemes being posted and advertising them in their signatures
Mar 19, 2014, 9:21 am
#74
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I would like to understand more specifically why you believe these are not useful tools. If some members are posting more often to expose their Signatures, and if others disable Signatures or add those members to their Ignore lists, it seems there would be fewer clicks.
Mar 19, 2014, 9:33 am
#75
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I'll answer 
Because the problem is they are looking to make $$$ off these signatures and the FT population, on the whole, sees them. I'm not going to click on them, but they're still annoying to see.
Is that the purpose of signatures? To advertise a personal business? (and yes, blog & referral links are a business)
Because the problem is they are looking to make $$$ off these signatures and the FT population, on the whole, sees them. I'm not going to click on them, but they're still annoying to see.
Is that the purpose of signatures? To advertise a personal business? (and yes, blog & referral links are a business)