Promoting your own eBay listings with affiliate links - allowed?

Discussion in 'Commission Junction' started by Avishai, Feb 1, 2008.

  1. #1
    I was wondering if it's ok to promote your own eBay listings through eBay's affiliate program.

    On the one hand, when I read eBay's FAQ (under 'Creating/Setting up Links') it says:

    "Q: Can I link to a specific eBay listing or search results page?

    A: You can link to any eBay page or URL using our Flexible Destination Tool. However, you are not permitted to use affiliate links to promote your own eBay listings or eBay Store, or those of anyone you are affiliated with."


    But on the other hand, when I read the eBay Affiliate Global Ts&Cs, it says:

    "(5) Affiliate Links. You may use affiliate links to promote your own eBay listings or eBay Store, those of your Agents or those of anyone else with whom you are affiliated. eBay may terminate this provision at any time with 7 days notice. You may not include affiliate links on any ebay.com page or eBay-owned page, such as an eBay listing or eBay Store."

    So one source says that I CAN use affiliate links to promote my items and another says that I CAN'T.

    What's your take on this?
     
    Avishai, Feb 1, 2008 IP
  2. vetting

    vetting Peon

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    #2
    Second one is correct - the first one just hasnt been updated. The changed the rules sometime last year I think. I make around $150 a month promoting my own auctions - just dont promote them in emails or have an affiliate link directly on one of your auction pages. How many auctions do you run per month?
     
    vetting, Feb 1, 2008 IP
  3. Avishai

    Avishai Peon

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    #3

    Well, thanks for the reply.

    I find it a bit weird that a large company such as eBay has these contradicting statements in it's FAQ and in its Terms of Service.

    As for your question, I don't have any auctions running at this point, but if you can promote your own items with affiliate links it opens new possibilities.

    You can potentially earn twice from each auction: from the auction itself and from referring a new ACRU by promoting this auction, outside of eBay (through your website, for example).

    Am I right?
     
    Avishai, Feb 2, 2008 IP