Clarification on MLM stipulation
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Hello. I’m trying to determine if what I want to do with my site is a no-no. I read this page: https://en.support.wordpress.com/monetize-your-site/#affiliate
On it, it states: ‘Affiliate links are allowed on WordPress.com as long as the primary purpose of your blog is to **create original content**.
When blogging about books you’re reading, music you love, clothes that strike your fancy, gadgets you’re drooling over, or **whatever interests you** and your readers, **feel free to post relevant affiliate links using either text or images**.
There are a few restrictions in what affiliate programs are allowed. We do not allow affiliate links for gambling, get-rich-quick schemes, **multi-level marketing programs**, disreputable merchants, pornography, malware, or phishing-type scams.’
I am a demonstrator for a direct sales, multi-level marketing business called Stampin’ Up. My blog purpose is to create original DIY content in the form of images and instructions to re-create projects at home. I sell tangible products through Stampin’ Up’s website that are then shipped to the customer directly from Stampin’ Up. When I blog, I use those products in my photos and share how to re-create projects using the products Stampin’ Up sells. I link to the products I’ve used with a URL parameter that tells the Stampin’ Up site that I am the demonstrator who referred the traffic to their site. I then get a commission from the sale.
The intention here is in no way to scam the person out of money or to have them join in a ‘get rich quick’ scheme. It’s more similar to linking to a product on Amazon and getting a commission that way than anything you describe in the statement on the Monetize Your Site page. Thus my confusion.
So, my question is this: Can I create a wordpress.com site and use these types of affiliate links for my MLM business without worry of my blog being turned off? And to further dig, what parts of the MLM model is NOT OKAY on WordPress.com? For example, am I allowed extend the offer the join Stampin’ Up to my readers?
The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)
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Ok for some reason it chose to include a link to an irrelevant OLD blog that I once had. It’s not at all in reference to that blog.
This question is in reference to MANY hypothetical blogs started by MULTIPLE demonstrators GLOBALLY.
Basically, what I’m getting at is, can I comfortably recommend WordPress.com to any demonstrator I may be training on how to use WordPress or am I better off having them start on WordPress.org??
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Bringing this back to the top. Would love some clarification from the WordPress.com team on this one.
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Please see:
Types of Blogs http://wordpress.com/types-of-blogs/Please read: Monetize Your Site https://en.support.wordpress.com/monetize-your-site/
Affiliate linking https://en.support.wordpress.com/monetize-your-site/#affiliate-linkingRead also https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/affiliate-links-amazon-flipkart-etc?replies=6#post-2869724
The only advertising program at WordPress.com is called WordAds and it’s for blogs on their own domains that have enough traffic to qualify for acceptance into the plan.
http://en.support.wordpress.com/domains/
http://en.wordpress.com/apply-for-wordads/ -
Stampin’ Up is for those who are including links specifically aimed to drive traffic to a third party site in every post and that is NOT allowed here.
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You are welcome. For the benefit of others using the search box who locate this thread as they expect to drive traffic to third party sites in return for a commission I will post this below:
Re: sites that are NOT allowed:
Affiliate marketing blogs: Blogs with the primary purpose of driving traffic to affiliate programs and get-rich-quick schemes (“Make six figures from home!!”, “20 easy steps to top profits!!”, etc). This includes multi-level marketing (MLM) blogs and pyramid schemes. To be clear, people writing their own original book, movie or game reviews and linking them to Amazon, or people linking to their own products on Etsy do NOT fall into this category. https://wordpress.com/types-of-blogs/
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This is exactly as I suspected. I really appreciate you taking the time to send me all of these links. Thank you for being so helpful :)
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Thanks @Timethief!
Yes, to err on the side of caution, I would always recommend users to use the self-hosted version of WordPress if they are wanting to use their site for MLM. If we personally wouldn’t suspend the site, we have an automated system designed to track such sites, and your site could possibly be suspended even if it is “legit”. To completely have freedom for your site and not worry about violating our ToS, I would recommend going the WordPress.org route.
Let me know if you have any questions Thanks!
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staff-doublebassd
You are welcome and thanks for confirming what I posted. Hope you have a good and cool day. ;) -
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Hey! We’re practically neighbors, Darnell! I’m just a bit north of ATX. Those storms were intense! Saw quite a few blue-green flashes which was amazing. First time in a storm like that.
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Nice! Yeah, it was pretty crazy for sure. Apparently 10,000 homes in the area are without electricity. I opened my door and was almost pushed down by the wind. Amazing for sure.
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Ha! Cry me a river. :)
We live with gale force winds and trees falling down and taking out the power every winter in the Gulf Islands, and this year we even got snow. (I’m on the laid back artsy island.)
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BC is gorgeous! Funny coincidence because we just moved to TX from the PNW. Seattle area. I miss it a little but I can’t complain about the warm winters in the South. :)
Anyway! Thanks again for all your help!
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Really. That’s interesting. I won’t consider leaving Canada forevermore, or at least until the ill-tuned trumpet who lacks statesman like character and think he can run the white house like a reality tv show where he performs as a bad actor is impeached. If I had a rocket launcher and was in range I might be tempted to use it on that #$51@! asshat.
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