Allowed Amazon Links
 

I have long understood that Commercial Links are forbidden by the TOS: http://www.flyertalk.com/help/rules.php#commercial

But I learned tonight that exceptions are possible if using FT/IB affiliate links: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28758219-post66.html

We do six figures+ on Amazon and I'd love to be able to provide a link to my product(s) in my sig line.

How do we proceed?

I would suggest that you think carefully of what you want to put in your signature and how to word it.

You will note, for example, that my signature does not mention my book or even the possibility of buying it through Amazon (or anywhere else). It talks only about me.

If someone is interested enough to see what I mean to click on my signature he will then be brought to the Amazon site where the book is being offered. Personally, I see a very big difference between that and if I had made a signature which reads, "Interested in new widgets? My employer makes the best ones" and then linked to your employer's products on Amazon or anywhere else.

Perhaps you might want a signature that reads, "I'm a great inventor" and then have it link to widgets that you invented. The signature would only tell us about you -- not your employer's products -- and be much more in line with what I have done.

Are you saying you just did it then begged forgiveness rather than asking permission first? Because you implied that you asked and were granted permission. Either way, I'd like to know the actual rules rather than your personal experience.

Btw, these are not my employer's products. They are my (and my wife's) products. Our company, our designs, our products. Just like your book is yours.

No, I asked permission before putting it up and I wish both you and your wife great success with your products -- both from FT and all other sources.

Super. Then I will await direction.

And thanks. And good luck with your book. I think I closed a sale for you last night, although it may have been an 'included with prime' download rather than a straight sale. :) ^

Any word on a path forward?

Or was this a one-off special exception rather than a change in policy?

i must be missing something? Dovster's link is >

When I click on my link I am brought directly to the Amazon.com page for Wilde is the Joker.

(It is a book I wrote under one of my numerous pen names, "Josh Wilde".)

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...=1Y2RZEFBKNODL
"keywords=wilde+is+the+joker"
vs
https://www.amazon.com/Wilde-Joker-G.../dp/B0721T9R5F

Sorry, I've been slow to get this. I've referred the thread to our Signature Committee who does an excellent job of seeing to it that we have consistency in the applications of the rules. Give us a few days for them to review this.

Carol

Thanks as ever!!!! ^

Unfortunately, you don't. The rules are quite clear about permissable links in signatures.

Except for credit card sign-up offers, signatures that specifically relate to your travel-related commercial ventures are allowed. Other commercial signatures are not allowed.

http://www.flyertalk.com/help/rules.php#signatures

Signatures that specifically relate to your travel-related ventures (this does not include credit cards), once you have achieved both 180 posts and 180 days as a member of FlyerTalk.

All other posts of a commercial nature – whether in a post, signature or profile – are prohibited. In this rule, commercial posts include those containing promotional messages for commercial products or services, including but not limited to internet sites and business advertisements.

http://www.flyertalk.com/help/rules.php#commercial

Thanks for the reply.

Point of clarification if you don't mind: I'm reading those rules very carefully and am wondering if Dovster's assertion is correct and so long as the words posted do not constitute a 'promotional message' a link to a commercial site is allowed?

I'd just rather ask permission than risk having my posting privileges revoked.

Thanks again.

I see this thread has, um, changed a bit.

Does that mean the answer has changed? :-: