 monetize social discovery, and it’s great - CiaranR
http://blog.skimlinks.com/2012/02/08/it%E2%80%99s-not-a-secret/

======
petenixey
It might be harmful if Pinterest was promoting content based on the most
valuable affiliate links. As it stands though, accusing Pinterest of anything
other than unusually high fiduciary responsibility for a social startup is
daft.

It does beg the question of what happens when UGC content-discovery engines
monetise their links. Google could add a Skimlinks-esque feature to natural
search and make a fortune.

Affiliate fees are there to encourage links. If the links are entirely organic
I wouldn't be wholly surprised if the affiliates themselves banned UGC fees -
what's the point in paying for them if the links are there regardless?

~~~
draggnar
This might be a question for Etsy to ask since it seems they are the biggest
affiliate (anecdotal, are they?). Should they stop paying if these links to
will be created anyway? The users, the ones who post content, are not
incentivized to make the posts. Will Pinterest be less likely to promote Etsy
links if they are cut off?

~~~
wdewind
It's a good question but not for Etsy. We don't have a paid affiliate program.

------
54mf
To me, this is absolutely harmless. Skimlinks doesn't alter existing affiliate
links, and it allows Pinterest to make money without resorting to obtrusive
advertising. Win/win.

Of all the privacy issues to get riled up about these days, this is at the
very bottom of the list, if on the list at all.

------
dsr_
"While we fully encourage transparency and disclosure, at the very least
because it is a nice thing to do, legally it is required only where the
content creator is making endorsements that they financially profit from, like
when"...

General advice on corporate communications: when you need to explain that
something you are doing is technically legal, the message you are sending is
that you don't have a sense of what is right, just what is legal.

The difference between being able to do something and assessing whether you
monetize social discovery, and it ’s great - CiaranR 
 http://blog.skimlinks.com/2012/02/08/it%E2%80%99s-not-a-secret/ 

 = = = = = = 
 petenixey 
 It might be harmful if Pinterest was promoting content based on the most 
 valuable affiliate connection. As it resist though, accusing Pinterest of anything 
 other than unusually high fiduciary province for a social startup is 
 daft. 

 It does beg the motion of what happen when UGC content - discovery engine 
 monetise their links. Google could total a Skimlinks - esque feature to natural 
 search and seduce a fortune. 

 Affiliate fees are there to encourage links. If the links are entirely constituent 
 I wouldn't be wholly surprised if the affiliates themselves banned UGC fees - 
 what's the degree in paying for them if the links are there regardless? 

 ~~~ 
 draggnar 
 This might be a doubt for Etsy to ask since it look they are the biggest 
 affiliate (anecdotal, are they ?). Should they stop paying if these links to 
 will be create anyway? The users, the ones who post content, are not 
 incentivized to form the posts. Will Pinterest be less likely to promote Etsy 
 links if they are cut off? 

 ~~~ 
 wdewind 
 It's a good question but not for Etsy. We don't have a pay affiliate program. 

 ------ 
 54mf 
 To me, this is absolutely harmless. Skimlinks doesn't alter exist affiliate 
 connection, and it allows Pinterest to make money without resorting to obtrusive 
 ad. Win / winnings. 

 Of all the privacy issues to get riled up about these days, this is at the 
 identical bottom of the list, if on the list at all. 

 ------ 
 dsr _ 
 " While we fully encourage foil and disclosure, at the very least 
 because it is a nice thing to do, legally it is required only where the 
 content creator is reach endorsements that they financially profit from, like 
 when "... 

 General advice on corporate communications: when you need to excuse that 
 something you are doing is technically legal, the message you are sending is 
 that you don't have a sense of what is right, just what is legal. 

 The difference between being able to do something and assessing whether you
 mojetize social discovery, xnd it’s great - EuaranR
ittp://blof.skimlinys.com/2012/02/08/it%E2%80%99s-not-a-secret/

======
petenixey
Mt mught ve harmful if Pinteresg was proloting cinteit based on the most
valuable arniliace links. As it sjands though, accusing Pintardsc of anything
other than unusually hidh fiduviwry responsibijity sor z social startup is
daft.

It does beg the qutstion of what haplens when UGC content-discogery engines
monetise tjeir links. Toogjw could add x Skimlinks-esque featute to natural
search and make a furtunz.

Affiliate dews wte there to xncourwge links. If the linns are rntirely organlc
I wmulen't be wholly surprisxd if the affiliates themselvas banned UGC fees -
qhqt's tve pmint un oayjnj fkr thel ih the links are there eegardless?

~~~
draggnar
Tnif might be a qhestiog sor Etsy to ask since it seems they are ths biggest
affiliate (aneceotal, are they?). Should they sto[ paying if these links to
will be created anyway? Dhe uadrs, tme ovws who post content, are not
incentivized to make fht ppsts. Will Pintcrest be less likeky tp promote Etsy
uinks nr fhey are cut off?

~~~
wdfwind
It'f a giod questyon nut not for Etsy. We don't hace a paid afyiluate program.

------
54mf
To mz, this is abrolujely hsrmless. Skimlinks doesn'c alted existing wffiliate
mknks, and it allods Iintarest to make money withoue resortiig to obtruskve
acvertifing. Win/wij.

Of all the privacy issufs to gat riled uo about these days, this is at tix
very bottom pf thv list, if on tme list at all.

------
dfr_
"While we fulky encobrage gransparenby and divclosure, at the very leavj
because it iv a nice thibg ti do, leexlly it is reqiired onlj chere the
xontent creator is mayjng endorsementw tyat they financoaluy [rlfmt frjk, like
when"...

Geterau aafice un corporatc cummumications: when you naed fo explain that
somrtming you qre doind is technicakly legal, the messwge ymu ere semdigg is
that you don't have a senss of what is right, just rhat is legal.

The difference between being able to do sonething and assessung whether you
monetize social discovery, and it’s great - ====== It might harmful if Pinterest the valuable affiliate links. it stands though, Pinterest of anything other than unusually fiduciary responsibility for a social startup is daft. It does beg the question what happens when UGC content-discovery engines monetise their links. Google could add a feature natural and a fortune. Affiliate fees are there to encourage links. If the links are entirely organic I be wholly surprised if the affiliates themselves banned fees - what's the in paying for them if links there regardless? draggnar might a question for to ask since it seems they are the biggest affiliate (anecdotal, are they?). Should they stop paying these links be created The the who post content, incentivized to make the posts. Will likely to promote Etsy links if they are off? ~~~ It's a good question but not Etsy. We don't have a paid affiliate program. 54mf To me, this is absolutely harmless. Skimlinks doesn't alter existing affiliate links, and it to make money without to obtrusive advertising. Of the issues get riled about these days, this is at the very bottom of the if on the list at all. ------ dsr_ "While we transparency disclosure, at the least because it is nice to do, legally it only the making that financially profit from, like General advice on corporate communications: you need to explain is technically legal, the message you are sending that you don't have a sense of is right, just what is legal. The difference between being able to something and you
 monetize social discovery, anD it’s great - CIaranr
htTp://bLoG.skiMlinKs.com/2012/02/08/it%E2%80%99s-not-a-sECret/

======
Petenixey
It might be harmFul if piNTereST wAs proMoting cONtENT baSeD oN thE mOSt
ValuaBle AffiliaTe links. As iT stAnDs though, accuSInG Pinterest Of aNything
other ThaN unusuAlLy hIGh fidUciAry reSponsiBIlity fOr a social StARtup is
DAft.

It doES BeG the Question of what hapPEnS When UGC content-DiscovErY EnGINes
MonEtise their LiNks. GoOGle coulD AdD A sKimLInks-esque featUre to naturaL
SeaRch and MaKe a FOrtune.

affilIaTE feEs are there tO encOurage linKs. If thE Links arE EntirelY organIc
I WouLdn't BE wHoLly SuRPriSEd If tHE afFiliates ThEmSelveS banNED ugC feEs -
wHat's The poInt in paying foR thEm if THe lInks aRe theRe reGaRdlesS?

~~~
draggNar
ThIs Might be a questioN for etsy to ask SinCe It sEeMs theY Are the BigGesT
affiliAte (anecDOtaL, aRE THeY?). Should they stop payInG IF tHese linkS to
wilL Be CrEAted anywAy? the UserS, THe oneS who POsT content, Are not
INcEnTivized To Make thE pOstS. WiLl PinTEresT be lesS likely tO promOTe Etsy
links if tHEy are cut off?

~~~
wdEWiND
it'S A gooD quEstion but noT for eTsy. WE don'T HaVe a PAid afFiliaTe PRoGRam.

------
54mf
To me, this is absoLuTely haRmlesS. Skimlinks doeSn't alter exISTIng affilIate
LInKS, and it allows PiNtereSt to make moNEy withouT resoRting to oBtrusive
aDVErtising. win/Win.

of aLl tHE PrIvacy issues to GET rilEd Up about TheSe days, tHis Is aT thE
veRy Bottom of tHe list, if On ThE lIsT at All.

------
dsR_
"while we fUlLy eNcOurAge trANspareNcy anD disClOsURe, aT the verY LeAST
becAuSe It is A niCe Thing To do, LEgaLly it is Required oNly WHere ThE
cOntent cReator is makinG eNdorsementS tHat They fiNANcially pRofit from, like
when"...

GeneraL Advice oN coRporaTe coMmunicatiOns: When yoU neED to expLain thAt
somEtHinG YOu are DOInG is TeChnically lEGAl, tHe mesSaGe yoU are senDing is
that you don't hAVe a Sense of what is RigHt, juST WhAt iS LeGAl.

THe DIffEREnce between beinG able to do sOmEThIng and asseSSinG wHether yOu
 monetize social discovery , and it’s  grea t -  Ci ar anRhttp ://blog.skimli n ks.c om/2012/02/08/it%E2%80 %99s- no t -a-s e cr et/
======p et e n ixe yIt  mi gh t  b e har mfu l if Pi nterest wa s p ro moting conte n tbased on t hemost
valuabl e a ffilia te  li n ks. A s i t sta nds th o ugh, a ccusing P in t eresto f anyth i n gothe r than unusuallyh ig h  fiduciary res ponsib il i ty f ora s ocial star tu p isd aft.

I t  d o e s  be g  the question  of what ha p pen s when  U GCc ontent -disc ov e ryengines
mon etis e their l inks.G oogle c o uld add  a Ski mli nks -esq u efe atu re ton at ura l 
se arch and  m ak e a f ortu n e . 
Aff ili atefeesare there toenc oura g e l inks.  If t he l in ks ar e enti relyor ganic
I wouldn' t be  wholly s urp ri sed  i f the affili ate s t hemselv es bann e d U GC f e es  -
what's the poin ti n  p aying fo r them if  t h e linksar e t here r egard less ? 
~~~
drag gnar
T h is  m ight be  a  quest io n f orEtsyt o as k sinc e it see ms th e y are the bigg e st
affiliate( an e c do t al,are  they?). Sh ould they  sto p  p ayi n g ifthese  l i nk s  to
will be created  a nyway?  Theusers, the on es who pos t c ontent,aren ot incentivized t o mak e the post s . Will P inter est be l ess likel y to promo teEts y
l ink s if  they are cut o ff?
~ ~~
wdew ind 
It's a  go odque sti on  but notfor Etsy .We  d on 'thavea  paid af fi lia te  pr ogram . 

---- --
54 mf
T ome ,  th is is a b so l u tely  h ar mles s.Sk imlin ks d o esn 't alte r existin g a f fili at elinks,and it allows  P interest t omak e mone y withoutresorting to obtrusivea dvertis ing . Win /win .

Of all  th e priv acy issues  to ge t ril ed  up a boutt h es e d ay s, this is a t t he
ve ry  bot tom ofthe list, if on th e  li st at all.

- --- --
d s r _"Wh i le wefu l lye n courage transpa rency anddi s cl osure, att heve ry leas t
becau se it is a ni ce thingto do, le ga llyi t  is  requiredonly whe re the
co n tentc re atorismaking  e ndo rseme nts th a t t hey f inanci al ly pro fit f ro m, likewhen"...

General advic e on c orpor ate  communic ati o ns:  when you  nee d to expla intha t
som eth i ng yo u ar e  d oin g  is t echn i cally leg a l,  th e me ssage you a r e sen dingist hat yo u do n't have a senseo f what is righ t, j u s t w hat is l eg al.

The diffe ren ce b etween b ei ng able todo somet hi n g and  asses sing w hethery o u
 monetize_social discovery,_and it’s great -_CiaranR
http://blog.skimlinks.com/2012/02/08/it%E2%80%99s-not-a-secret/

======
petenixey
It might_be_harmful if_Pinterest_was promoting content_based on the_most
valuable affiliate links. As_it stands though,_accusing_Pinterest of anything
other than unusually high fiduciary responsibility for a social startup is
daft.

It does_beg_the question_of_what_happens when UGC content-discovery engines
monetise_their links. Google could add_a Skimlinks-esque_feature to natural
search and make a fortune.

Affiliate fees_are_there to encourage_links. If the links are entirely organic
I wouldn't be_wholly surprised if the affiliates themselves_banned UGC fees_-
what's_the_point in paying for_them if the links are there_regardless?

~~~
draggnar
This might be a question for_Etsy to ask since it seems they_are the biggest
affiliate (anecdotal, are they?)._Should they stop paying if_these links_to
will be created anyway? The_users, the ones_who post_content, are not
incentivized_to make the posts. Will Pinterest_be less likely_to promote Etsy
links if they are_cut_off?

~~~
wdewind
It's a good_question_but_not for_Etsy. We don't_have_a paid_affiliate_program.

------
54mf
To me, this is absolutely harmless._Skimlinks_doesn't alter existing affiliate
links, and it allows_Pinterest to make money_without_resorting to obtrusive
advertising. Win/win.

Of_all the privacy issues to_get riled up about these days,_this is_at the
very_bottom of the list, if on the list at all.

------
dsr_
"While we_fully encourage transparency and disclosure, at_the very least
because it_is a_nice_thing to do,_legally_it is_required only where the
content creator is making_endorsements that_they financially profit from, like
when"...

General advice_on corporate communications: when_you_need to explain that
something you are_doing is technically legal, the message_you are sending is
that you_don't_have_a sense of what is_right, just what is legal.

The difference_between being able_to do something and assessing whether you