Forum Member Affiliate Links Policy Reconsideration?
Mar 19, 2014, 1:53 pm
#91
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How about one designated thread per forum, if the topic of the forum warrants such? Example:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ost-first.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ost-first.html
Mar 19, 2014, 2:31 pm
#92
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Referrals should probably go in SPAM along with congas.
This way, no single person gets all the benefit.
This way, no single person gets all the benefit.
Mar 19, 2014, 2:51 pm
#93
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Credit card applications don't lend themselves to congas, because a person who applies for a card is not necessarily approved -and- does not necessarily obtain the right to refer others.
Mar 19, 2014, 4:44 pm
#94
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I think you meant to say shouldn't be occurring? (guessing you're on phone or tablet). If it's between IB & the ad supplier, then it's between IB & the ad supplier & contracts or no contracts isn't the business of 3rd parties (aka, FTers) 
Just playing a bit of devil's advocate there.
Cheers.
Just playing a bit of devil's advocate there.Cheers.
but as to "what's between IB and the ad supplier" is imho, very different between a poster who has a signature who gains financially by having members click on the link in their signature as you can't tell me that there isn't monetary gain for IB from the ad supplier where there is none from a signature link. Now if I'm wrong and IB will confirm that there is in fact monetary gain to them via a poster's referral link, then I'll withdraw my argument-but until then, afaic, I see it as free advertising and free money for the posterIt's commercial content that may also contain links. In my example above, the poster advertised a travel agency by indicating to PM them for more info.
Signatures aren't an issue and neither are links. It's signatures with links that are commercial or ads without links that say "PM or Contact Me"
Signatures aren't an issue and neither are links. It's signatures with links that are commercial or ads without links that say "PM or Contact Me"
Mar 19, 2014, 6:27 pm
#95
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FT isn't everywhere 
Signatures used to be information on community events, DOs, links to posts with good deals, cute sayings (see mine )
The point is not that I don't want to see them - it is that people are using them to run a business and make money. I think that goes against everything FT stands for. I guess I wasn't clear with my example above.
I don't know why you think that it's the signature that is bothersome - it's what it is being used for that is bothersome.
Signatures used to be information on community events, DOs, links to posts with good deals, cute sayings (see mine ) The point is not that I don't want to see them - it is that people are using them to run a business and make money. I think that goes against everything FT stands for. I guess I wasn't clear with my example above.
I don't know why you think that it's the signature that is bothersome - it's what it is being used for that is bothersome.
This nails it! ^ tho I'll add a question-does F/T gain from this (and I mean other than internet traffic or more specifically, does F/T gain monetarily the way a "click the link in my signature" poster does?)
I choose to view signatures because I want to, simple as that but that is not the issue that folks are concerned about. They are concerned about folks with a business getting a free ride on advertising and making money of off said free advertising.
I don't like ad's on my internet pages and I have adblocker software installed but the beneficiary of those ad's is the internet company (or in our case IB) and the ad supplier who is in business to make money and afaic, the same applies to those who post referral links and unless there is a contract between IB and the poster with said referral link(s) the way there is between IB and the ad supplier, it should not be occurring (and turning off the ability to view a signature does not accomplish that)
I choose to view signatures because I want to, simple as that but that is not the issue that folks are concerned about. They are concerned about folks with a business getting a free ride on advertising and making money of off said free advertising.
I don't like ad's on my internet pages and I have adblocker software installed but the beneficiary of those ad's is the internet company (or in our case IB) and the ad supplier who is in business to make money and afaic, the same applies to those who post referral links and unless there is a contract between IB and the poster with said referral link(s) the way there is between IB and the ad supplier, it should not be occurring (and turning off the ability to view a signature does not accomplish that)
Mar 19, 2014, 8:43 pm
#96
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Commercialism like excessiveness is subjective and neither is easy defined. I would prefer if referral links at the least were outlawed if not all commercial links in member signatures but that is merely MHO and would agree with you that there is no perfect solution on this topic.
Mar 20, 2014, 7:50 pm
#97
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Commercialism like excessiveness is subjective and neither is easy defined. I would prefer if referral links at the least were outlawed if not all commercial links in member signatures but that is merely MHO and would agree with you that there is no perfect solution on this topic.
Mar 20, 2014, 8:06 pm
#98
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Mar 20, 2014, 8:30 pm
#99
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Mar 21, 2014, 7:57 am
#100
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Me too. It seems that all who are opposed are opposed to commerical links in signatures, not the signatures themselves.
I also include blog links as commercial, as most of them have affiliate links in them
I also include blog links as commercial, as most of them have affiliate links in them
Mar 21, 2014, 10:29 am
#101
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Maybe it's time for the Signature Review Committee (or what ever it's called) to grab a bat and step up to the plate? Or perhaps have some who are on that committee post in this thread to maybe give us layfolks an idea as to what their job entails? (and if need be, also add more folks/ask for volunteers to "expand the workforce"?)
Mar 21, 2014, 10:52 am
#102
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I agree. I know there's a signature committee but not who is on it.
As well, I believe it's really a TOS issue - that's where I've seen signature guidelines mentioned before.
But the TB can make recommendations, and I guess vote on it, and see what the outcome is.
As well, I believe it's really a TOS issue - that's where I've seen signature guidelines mentioned before.
But the TB can make recommendations, and I guess vote on it, and see what the outcome is.
Mar 21, 2014, 11:15 am
#103
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Mar 21, 2014, 11:27 am
#104
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Oh, I know that... but I believe she hasn't ever done that, or if she did, it wasn't a good idea to begin with
Are there any motions out there now? We have the title issue hanging too.
Are there any motions out there now? We have the title issue hanging too.
Mar 21, 2014, 12:02 pm
#105
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