[ggrot]

I've long wondered if this kind of approach is actually something that affiliate programs would allow if you got big. You are not promoting their wares, you are simply profiting off of organic promotion that would have occurred anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if Amazon or whomever decided to close your account if you started making significant amounts of money.

[eof]

Deal aggregating sites do this I am pretty sure, slickdeals.com for example.

If someone clicks on a link that your widget provided (a link that would not have otherwise been there) it seems like you are actually providing value to the company.

[ggrot]

The link would be there regardless of whether or not you (as an advertiser) ran an affiliate program.