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What Does “*” Mean?
By JLP | June 13, 2008
Some of you may be wondering why some of my links have an asterisk (*) behind them. I have usually made it a point to put (Affiliate Link) behind any revenue-generating link. Why? Because I think readers have a right to know when a link benefits me financially and when it does not.
The problem with the affiliate link notation is that it can really clutter up a post if there are several links. So, I have decided to change my notation to a simple “*”, which is then defined at the bottom of each post.
Rest assured of this: IF I write about something and there’s an affiliate link, I WILL note it. I just think it’s the right way to run this website. That way there’s no hidden agenda.
Of course, it’s my hope that you will visit Amazon.com from time to time using one of those links as a way to show support for this blog. I don’t get paid a lot from Amazon but every little bit helps. So please, feel free to use the Amazon links on this site.
Topics: Blogging | 2 Comments »
June 13th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Never had been confused by it, but I do appreciate that you let us know. Honestly knowing that it IS an affiliate link makes me more inclined to follow it.
Best of luck,
p.s. When are you going to add subscribtion to thread upon posting?
June 13th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
On “real” blogs such as this (non spam ones) I typically assume most or all links are affiliate links wherever possible…simply because it is what amounts to free money for doing what you’d do anyway. I never saw why people had such a moral objection to it. On spam blogs it is a different issue.
That being said, I don’t use any sort of affiliate links on my blog, just Google Adsense…people click the links every now and again which is nice, especially considering Google only cuts checks when you reach $100 worth (which on a low traffic site can be *years*)
At any rate – calling out affiliate links lends credibility and is a good practice. Keep it up.