Are affiliate links allowed on YouTube?

Discussion in 'General Marketing' started by popnyc, Jul 26, 2008.

  1. #1
    I thought affiliate links are allowed on YouTube...in the right hand description box, but someone told me they are not.
    So if you put a link in, you'll risk loosing your YouTube account?
    He said you can tinyurl it, but still would be at risk?
    I'd rather follow the terms even if I could possibly make a ton of sales commissions. Does anyone know the rules?


    I found this from their TOS:
    B. The YouTube Website may contain links to third party websites that are not owned or controlled by YouTube. YouTube has no control over, and assumes no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third party websites. In addition, YouTube will not and cannot censor or edit the content of any third-party site. By using the Website, you expressly relieve YouTube from any and all liability arising from your use of any third-party website.

    When they say "links to third party websites" does this mean an affiliate link in your description box? Or does it mean a website mentioned in your video you upload to Youtube?
     
    popnyc, Jul 26, 2008 IP
  2. DerikTutt

    DerikTutt Peon

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    #2
    Try embedding the link into the video itself. That will work to a certain extent and won't be breaking the rules.
     
    DerikTutt, Jul 27, 2008 IP
  3. schroe9

    schroe9 Active Member

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    #3
    put a watermark in your video. Use virtualDub to do this. Don't put link in description.

    You can have an intro with a little music and a splash ad to your site to start any video.

    Go to the channel section and see what other people have done and copy them. I plan on getting involved in this as well.

    And if you do YouTube, do the others like LiveVideo, and metacafe
     
    schroe9, Jul 28, 2008 IP
  4. ~kev~

    ~kev~ Well-Known Member

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    #4
    How can you do this?? I didnt think youtube allowed people to embed links in the videos. By embed a link, I mean so you can click the video and be taken to an external site.

    I tried adding an external link using Video Annotations, but you can not link to outside youtube pages.

    You can copyright and watermark a video and that is not breaking any youtbe rules.

    :cool:
     
    ~kev~, Jul 28, 2008 IP
  5. popnyc

    popnyc Active Member

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    #5
    why do you say not to put a link in the description? I thought this was the key to youtube marketing?
     
    popnyc, Jul 29, 2008 IP