I posted a thread in Freebie section about two weeks ago for a free ebook on proxies. Today my thread was deleted plus I got an infraction. This free ebook was to be downloaded from rapidshare. Rapidshare is a free filehosting service if any of you don't know about it. A user complained that he is unable to download the file because rapidshare is showing the 'free slots full' message. Therefore I uploaded this ebook to another free host 4shared.com. Please note that I don't have any share in any of these companies e.g. Rapidshare or 4shared and they don't pay me or give me any other benefit for that matter. My question is how and why my links fall under Affiliate /masked links category?? Plus if I want to distribute a free ebook where am I supposed to host it?? I have read your Faqs/Rules it is not written anywhere.
As users noted in your thread, it's essentially a referral link once it's only available for premium members. If you want to use a free host for files, find one without those types of restrictions or host it on your own server. Then you won't have to worry about a download link basically "turning into" a referral link which isn't allowed. It's up to you to know the terms of the download sites you're using though.
^ Hiya, actually Rapidshare files are also available to free/unregistered users - anyone could actually download a file from Rapidshare, premium user or not (catch is, the download speed won't be the same).
That's not what happened in the thread mentioned in the OP. Another user posted a screenshot showing that to download the file they were required to upgrade to a premium account first, hence the problem. The OP admitted as much when they posted the other download link to help people get around it. Obviously there was an issue with Rapidshare in this case. And if that can happen, and the link basically becomes a referral link, then people would need to choose file hosts that don't have this problem. http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=1555573#post12811608
Just received my 10000$ pay cheque from rapidshare. These guys really pay quick. At this speed I will soon own my own webmaster forums. I wont be able to advertise there links here on DP any more but it doesn't matter as I have already earned too much money.
As far as I know, If someone buys a premium account the link giver doesn't get paid an affiliate commission!
If they get any kind of referrer credit (which is what was noted in that thread), it's still a referral link. No affiliate links, referral links, or masked links are allowed in posts. Also, if the user is able to earn "RapidPoints" from the downloads (free or premium) it would be a referral link regardless (acts like an affiliate link, letting users earn credit to upgrade or renew their accounts). Even if that weren't an issue, an infraction for misplaced threads could have been given since it's not actually a freebie once their download spots run out. If there are a limited number of download spots and then it requires people to pay to upgrade, it shouldn't be posted in freebies. Don't use 3rd party services that you don't have some level of control over. Your threads can't bounce from freebies to paid or vice versa just b/c you choose a specific service. So choose one that fits what you're trying to do here. One way or the other, the thread would have been eligible for an infraction. But if you're getting something back for using a download service, assume it counts as a referral link. From RapidShare
Source:https://ssl.rapidshare.com/cgi-bin/collectorszone.cgi So my file didn't qualify for even a single point. Because it was only 144 KB in size. Only one rule to follow here Less posting = Less infractions No posting = No infractions
Or better still, just don't tell people to download stuff from a download site that allows you to earn points/affiliate stuff.
Moderators aren't going to go through every individual link over things like that. Same reason masked links are banned in posts - we don't have time to look at what every one of them is actually going to. If they can be used in a referral capacity, don't use them. I'm sure you can find another service without that problem, and if not there's always the option to host it on your own server.
Well okay, I guess the best alternative would be: http://sendspace.com No waiting time (unless you're downloading files in bulk)..
@Love* Are you promoting your site? Thanks anyways. @Jhmattern & Shawn Thanks for your time. I think you are right I have been arguing for no reason. I will try my best to follow the rules next time. Anyways I got this red rep today I know none of you did it but Jhmattern you sure have lots of fans here.