[SiVal]

I agree with this. Yes, if a link includes an affiliate code, you might want to be more skeptical of a recommendation.

But if, after due diligence, you decide to purchase the item, you'll pay the same amount either way. The only question is whether you want some of the purchase amount to be shared with the blogger or whether you want to make sure that Amazon won't have to share any of it.

[corresation]

you'll pay the same amount either way

Simple economics come into play, however, and the less Amazon has to pay to bloggers and other feeds, the more they can cut their prices.

[jbigelow76]

That's only true if Amazon chooses not to funnel money that would normally be paid out in affiliate commissions into another advertising channel. Amazon's affiliate program isn't operated out of a sense of altruism.

[corresation]

"Amazon's affiliate program isn't operated out of a sense of altruism."

Oh I know it is. The blog in question is essentially one giant Amazon ad pitch (I have never seen that many affiliate links on one page). However if the argument is "well the person just wanted to review the book anyways, and why not them get the money instead of it padding Bezo's pockets", the position falls apart: If they aren't being incentivized by the affiliate links, then Amazon might as well save that money.

But of course we all know that such blogs are heavily incentivized by such affiliate commissions. When Atwood decides to pitch a particular product that what do you know he can cover with an affiliate link...it isn't accidental.

[tobyjsullivan]

That assumes that Amazon sets their prices in a cost-plus fashion. I doubt that's likely.

They'll charge as much as you'll pay regardless of what they are paying to bloggers.