[Strom]

It impacts the buyer experience.

These two statements have a very different impact:

1. I love product X and I won't get paid if you buy it too.

2. I love product X and I will get paid if you buy it too.

Money motivates people to claim they love a product or that a product is good, even if not true. It's a problem that has plagued the internet for decades.

[mvkel]

I don't think it's this binary.

Influence and power are far more intoxicating currencies than affiliate revenue.

And if someone complained "you're just publishing this helpful thing to become more influential in [community]," well, at some point we need to acknowledge incentives drive all behavior in one way or another.

Refusing the incentive doesn't make one per se virtuous.

[nothrabannosir]

This thread is missing an important detail:

> undisclosed affiliate links.

That's quite controversial, compared to disclosed affiliate links. IMO for good reason.

[machomaster]

Why?

I understand the need to disclose sponsored content. Or if the manufacturer had veto-power or any say in the content.

I even understand that it is good to tell if the product was given for free or the trip was paid, even when they had no say in the content.

But I don't understand why anyone would need "I use affiliate links" caveats. This is useless info wasting space and reading time akin to "this website displays ads in order to stay alive". What does writing this (otherwise observable facts) actually accomplishes? What benefits does it bring?

[nothrabannosir]

What is the difference between those scenarios and affiliate links? They are literally the same to me: kickbacks. And I agree they all are allowed, but should be disclosed. Why do you consider affiliate links an exception to that rule?

[machomaster]

The difference is in the: 1. purpose of the mention. 2. Influence on the opinion.

Was it solely because the manufacturer gave sponsor money or was it because the writer is sharing his own personal opinions (and having affiliate links did not change the verdict)?

I don't see a problem people getting financially rewarded for helping people. Actually, I see as a positive. Nothing to be ashamed about, nothing to separately disclose.

In a similar vein as posting helpful videos on youtube/tiktok and not separately disclosing "when my content does well, I receive a cut from google/tiktok". Duuh.

[machomaster]

3. I love product, but don't have an incentive to spend my time and sharing my experience for nothing.

It's not like this is an AI slop with no valuable unique information with the sole point of SEOing into visitors clicking on links.

The guy made his research, chose the best (not the most expensive, in order to maximize price) components and shared direct links (thus also making it easier for readers, who don't have only names that they would have to google themselves).

I see no problem in that so much so that I wouldn't even require a separate "I use affiliate links" caveats. This is useless info akin to "this website displays ads in order to be alive".

[ssl-3]

I used to be an Amazon affiliate, myself. I made a small amount of money with that program, by giving people Amazon links (with my affiliate tag) when I wanted to introduce an example of a particular product in a discussion where I thought it would be helpful.

I am no longer an Amazon affiliate. I no longer make any money with that program. I still give people Amazon links when I want to introduce an example of a particular product where I think it will be helpful.

Nothing has changed about the way I write or recommend gear, except for the present-day absence of an affiliate link. It was the same before I was an affiliate, it was the same while I was an affiliate, and it remains the same now that I am no longer an affiliate.

---

"So why Amazon links when you could just link to the manufacturer's page instead," you may be asking?

That answer is simple: Because Amazon is consistent, accessible, and includes pricing.

Manufacturers' web pages too often have a profound tendency to be absolutely awful: It's a spectacle of moving images and flashing lights, noisemakers, pop-ups and fucking "SPIN THE WHEEL FOR A PRIZE!!!!" bullshit instead of -- you know -- information.

But all a person really needs as a jumping-off point is basic information. A description, some photos, and a realistic price is a good start.

That latter set is really all that Amazon provides. And that kind of simplicity is useful to me.

My ultimate motivation when I link a product is to be helpful to others. Affiliate or not, linking to Amazon furthers that goal of mine in ways that sending clicks to some Web analog of the Vegas Strip cannot ever accomplish.

---

"So if you're so [euphemism], then why aren't you an affiliate anymore," you may wish to ask next.

That answer is also easy: Several years ago, Amazon demanded that I submit of all of my social media information in order to maintain participation in the program. I was not OK with doing this, so I ignored that demand. They subsequently kicked me out.