I was planning to post a website review and giveaway today, but after carefully and thoroughly reviewing the site I had to decline.  I just did not feel comfortable promoting it because then I’d be endorsing some things that I don’t think are appropriate.

The overall service it is providing is a great idea, but one must use caution which aggregate type services… especially if it is chock full of affiliate links.

Now, I don’t have a problem with affiliate links themselves, especially when disclosed.  But in no way do I think setting up an affiliate program in order to spread your own affiliate links across multiple websites is appropriate.  Affiliate links are meant to remain on your site for your readers/customers to click through on.

Here’s an example:

Let’s say I signed up as an affiliate for RissaRoo Clothing (made it up) and Darc’s Doodads (also made up).  Then I offer an affiliate program to you.  How wonderful! But the special widget I provide to you contains my affiliate links to RRC and DDD.

Shady, right?

I think it is… especially since I could just advertise my site’s services through you.  That traffic could funnel my way and then click on my affiliate links on my own site.

This just really bothered me.  It felt too much like hit/content farming disguised as a useful tool.  I was very disappointed.

I bring this up because my word is really all I have to give you, and I want you to know I value that.  I could have easily turned a blind eye, accepted a giftcode, and enjoyed giveaway traffic, but I would’ve been left with a bad taste in my mouth.

No worries though, we have plenty of reviews and giveaways lined up and in the works!

What do you think?

About Darcy

Darcy Zalewski is a married, stay-at-home mom who is discovering her greener side, starting with advocating for cloth diapering. When she's not changing diapers or singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider, she can be found at Tales From the Nursery, where she shares tales of motherhood as well as product reviews, or at ShePromotes, a resource for blogger support.

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