TPF embedding ad links in our posts

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J

Jesssh

Member
Jan 20, 2012
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#1
I've noticed today that the word "trousers" in my post linked to brooksbrothers for a short time, then the link went away. I did not embed that link.

And just now the word "jewelry" in someone's post linked to jewelry.com, I think. It was an established member's post.

I tend to report posts like this because they are usually posted by new members. In these cases, TPF apparently embedded the links.

What should we do if we see an embedded link like this? How do we know if it is TPF legit or not?

I don't like to read ad posts any more than anybody else.

Is there a list of words somewhere that are automatically linked by TPF?
 
#2
We're looking into a few new ad formats and this one places contextual links in posts around TPF to legitimate partners. If you wish to opt your posts out of this, you can do so in your account details.

We'll see if we'll maintain this feature or adjust its frequency in the long run. :idea:
 
#3
OK. I use safari on ipad (haven't upgraded to ios 7 yet). I don't think I have a mouseover state, so when I touch and hold, it shows me the link, and if I "click" it takes me to the vendor's site.

I guess I'll stop reporting scammers unless it's obvious (few posts, explicit link, keyword rich text, etc.).

I wonder if it would make sense to set a special style for the legit ad links?

BTW, the post I saw that had "jewelry" in it had the word "crappy" in front of the link. I don't know how the vendor would feel about that. :P
 
#4
Posting links doesn't work here right now :wondering there's extra code in front of the link address.. (I'm on Win7 Firefox)

http://forum.purseblog.com/!818914!http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914.html

http://apicdn.viglink.com/api/!659751!http://forum.purseblog.com/ebay-forum/bought-a-fake-please-read-here-659751.html

This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it. The document tree is shown below.
<Error>
<Code>AccessDenied</Code>
<Message>Access Denied</Message>
<RequestId>4E0A30BFD0F54BFA</RequestId>
<HostId>K81W2jpTGC8Obl5ejezX9adkxF1D//s8EVLNDpLlCU7OmFVPSJZyX9qrtOdhyog2</HostId>
</Error>
 
#5
Elliespurse said:
Posting links doesn't work here right now :wondering there's extra code in front of the link address.. (I'm on Win7 Firefox)

http://forum.purseblog.com/!818914!http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-818914.html

http://apicdn.viglink.com/api/!659751!http://forum.purseblog.com/ebay-forum/bought-a-fake-please-read-here-659751.html

This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it. The document tree is shown below.
<Error>
<Code>AccessDenied</Code>
<Message>Access Denied</Message>
<RequestId>4E0A30BFD0F54BFA</RequestId>
<HostId>K81W2jpTGC8Obl5ejezX9adkxF1D//s8EVLNDpLlCU7OmFVPSJZyX9qrtOdhyog2</HostId>
</Error>
Click to expand...


Hmmmmm. I shall investiage, thanks Ellie!
 
#6
Vlad said:
We're looking into a few new ad formats and this one places contextual links in posts around TPF to legitimate partners. If you wish to opt your posts out of this, you can do so in your account details.

We'll see if we'll maintain this feature or adjust its frequency in the long run. :idea:
Click to expand...

The option to opt-out seems to be missing and not working today.

I guess it doesn't matter to me as long as everyone understands that the poster does not embed the links.
 
#7
Vlad said:
We're looking into a few new ad formats and this one places contextual links in posts around TPF to legitimate partners. If you wish to opt your posts out of this, you can do so in your account details.

We'll see if we'll maintain this feature or adjust its frequency in the long run. :idea:
Click to expand...

The embedded links are really annoying. I've almost reported some posts as spam before realizing that the posters did not insert those links themselves. It's even more unnerving when I see them in my own posts.

As an example: I posted a comment in the thread about deaths from giant hornet attacks in Asia. Now, granted, my post was kind of irreverent in the first place, but when I went back and read the thread, it had inserted a link to a toy hornet on Amazon. I did NOT post that link, and it was almost offensive given the nature of the story. I do not want someone to think that I posted that link!

Vlad, can you please tell us where exactly to go to opt out of this? I can't find anything in account details that mention it.
 
#8
Me too. I posted about my white gold ring and when I came back it's colored in blue and when I click it, it leads me to flebay from someone selling jewelries :pout: How rude a certain seller would use my post to sell! I don't want them to use my post for their business.

LOL I found out that there are more like this on anyone's posts. I think this is normal now, if it is then no probs for me.
 
Last edited:
#12
iluvmybags said:
What happened to the days when tPF was a place to chat about handbags & fashion instead of being one big advertisement for other products? :shrugs:
Click to expand...

This site, along with the vast majority of the Internet, is a business. We've had ads on TPF since day one.

I am sure you understand that an online business needs to support itself with ads in order to improve, grow, develop new features, pay for employees. :idea:
 
#13
mockinglee said:
The embedded links are really annoying. I've almost reported some posts as spam before realizing that the posters did not insert those links themselves. It's even more unnerving when I see them in my own posts.

As an example: I posted a comment in the thread about deaths from giant hornet attacks in Asia. Now, granted, my post was kind of irreverent in the first place, but when I went back and read the thread, it had inserted a link to a toy hornet on Amazon. I did NOT post that link, and it was almost offensive given the nature of the story. I do not want someone to think that I posted that link!

Vlad, can you please tell us where exactly to go to opt out of this? I can't find anything in account details that mention it.
Click to expand...


There are forums where these links certainly are inappropriate to show, so I am disabling the insert there. :idea:

The option is here at the bottom, I forgot to re-enable it after script upgrades.
 
#14
Thanks, Vlad! For the record, I completely understand sites integrating ads to generate revenue. It's just a little worrisome when it might make it seem like people are endorsing things that they are not.
 
#15
mockinglee said:
Thanks, Vlad! For the record, I completely understand sites integrating ads to generate revenue. It's just a little worrisome when it might make it seem like people are endorsing things that they are not.
Click to expand...

Totally understand and we appreciate the feedback!! We are always tweaking and we always have the forum members in mind! We want this to be a fun experience for you all :smile:
 
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