[[help:deal_posting_guidelines]]
Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
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help:deal_posting_guidelines [2012/08/17 11:12] ozpete [Affiliate Links] |
help:deal_posting_guidelines [2013/05/09 09:43] (current) moocher [Listings on Mass Retailing Sites] |
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| ====== Posting deals ====== | ====== Posting deals ====== | ||
| - | The community guidelines are a rough blend of what this site was intended for and the changing attitudes of the community. They have been written to try and help make your experience here more pleasant. | + | The community guidelines are a rough blend of what this site was intended for and the changing attitudes of the community. They have been written to try and help make your experience here more pleasant. Please note these are guidelines and are at the discretion of moderators. |
| **Summary of Guidelines** | **Summary of Guidelines** | ||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
| ---------- | ---------- | ||
| - | |||
| - | ==== Starting Etiquette ==== | ||
| - | **Summary:** New users shouldn't write I'm new, don't flame me etc. | ||
| - | |||
| - | For first time posters, avoid telling the community that you are new and asking them to take it easy on you. A number of people have tried this as their opener and it does not go down well. The "1 icon" {{http://www.ozbargain.com.au/files/images/1st.png}} will be shown to indicate if this is your first post. | ||
| ==== Before posting a bargain ==== | ==== Before posting a bargain ==== | ||
| - | A few things to check for and to be included in your post: | + | <html><div><img src="http://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/_media/playground:beforeyoupost4.png" alt="" usemap="#Map" class="mediacenter" border="0" /><map name="Map" id="Map"><area shape="rect" coords="1,1,168,208" href="http://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/help:deal_posting_guidelines#duplicates" alt="No Duplicates" /><area shape="rect" coords="174,2,316,206" href="http://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/list_of_price_comparison_sites" alt="Is your deal the cheapest available?" /><area shape="rect" coords="493,2,655,208" href="http://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/help:deal_posting_guidelines#auctions" alt="Do not post auctions." /><area shape="rect" coords="660,3,841,208" href="http://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/help:deal_posting_guidelines#competitions" alt="Do not post competitions as deals." /></map></div></html> |
| * Did someone else post the deal already? [[help:deal_posting_guidelines#search_first|Search]] for your deal. | * Did someone else post the deal already? [[help:deal_posting_guidelines#search_first|Search]] for your deal. | ||
| * Is this really the best price on the web? [[:list of price comparison sites|Check for the lowest prices.]] | * Is this really the best price on the web? [[:list of price comparison sites|Check for the lowest prices.]] | ||
| - | * Is the cost of postage and handling included? | + | * Is the cost of postage, fees or other costs included? |
| * Is this deal available to Australia? | * Is this deal available to Australia? | ||
| - | * If it's specific to a particular location, please mention it. e.g. [Melbourne] [NSW] etc. See [[help:title_guidelines]]. | + | * Is there enough quantity? Ensure there is [[help:deal_posting_guidelines#limited_quantity|adequate quantity]]. |
| - | * Please check the fine print including any hidden costs that should be factored into the total cost. | + | |
| - | * If it has special conditions (including walk in only, a particular payment method, membership required)then those should be referenced in the title and definitely stated in the body of your deal. | + | |
| - | Be transparent about why you are posting a deal here: | + | Do not post the following: |
| - | * Declare upfront if you have a relationship to the business. | + | * Auctions. |
| - | * Declare upfront if you will benefit from the posting or if someone asked you to post here. | + | * Competitions or contests. [[help:deal_posting_guidelines#competitions|More information.]] |
| - | * If you are affiliated with the company please make sure to check the rep box. | + | * Adult sites or adult items. Check [[help:banned_items|banned items]]. |
| + | * Gambling or Betting websites. | ||
| + | * Deals that resemble work or a job. | ||
| + | * Deals available only to staff or employees. | ||
| + | * Do not ask for users to vote for your deal. | ||
| + | * Refrain from creating any contests or competitions that involve voting on a deal. | ||
| - | Notes to merchants: | ||
| - | * As OzBargain is a community website, deals that you have posted will be judged and voted by our community members. Post when you have a bargain and not just for advertising purposes. Generic advertisements may be removed or may make it difficult for you to post, when you have something that really should be popular. Reps posting deals which are constantly attracting excessive negative votes may also see the account and/or domain banned by the mods. | + | ==== Posting a bargain ==== |
| - | * Merchants should note that small reductions, excessive conditions, and other costs related to the deal will NOT be well received. Users will likely vote negative for your deals and moderators may **BAN** or restrict deals, reps, or sites that are not well received. | + | |
| - | ==== Link directly to the source ==== | + | Be transparent about why you are posting a deal here: |
| - | **Always** link directly to the specific product page. | + | * Declare upfront if you have a relationship to the business. |
| - | + | * Declare upfront if you will benefit from the posting or if someone asked you to post here. | |
| - | Do **not** link to the company's top-level website unless there is no specific page that could be used instead. Linking to a top-level website, especially when there is a direct link to the product, is often regarded as spam-like conduct and is not welcomed. | + | * If you are affiliated with the company. |
| - | + | ||
| - | If you have an affiliate or referral link, please put the URL in the description only. The unaffiliated link that links directly to the specific product should be put in the URL field. More about [[help:deal_posting_guidelines#affiliate_links|affiliate links]]. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | If the link is from a third-party site like facebook or twitter, please complete the Store Domain field (located below the URL field) if it has not been automatically pre-filled. For example, if you are linking to a promotion for Woolworths that is published on facebook, enter 'woolworths.com.au' in the Store Domain field. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | There is no need to link to a picture on a website. The [[help:foxshot|screenshot]] will automatically be generated from the URL of the linked website. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | === Media File Uploader === | + | |
| - | When there is no direct link to the bargain or information supporting the bargain, you can use the [[media file uploader]]. | + | If any of the above is true, check the *I am a Store Representative* box. |
| - | The [[media file uploader]] is [[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/14069#comment-75624|not needed]] in the vast majority of cases. The uploader should only be used for scanned images (e.g. catalogues, flyers) and photos (e.g. receipts, pricing displays) when there is no webpage or website that could be linked to instead. | ||
| - | |||
| - | In particular, the uploader is [[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/14069#comment-75624|not to be used]] to link to an image of a deal. OzBargain's [[foxshot|screenshot engine]] automatically provides an image of the webpage posted in the deal. There may be a small delay before the image appears. | ||
| - | |||
| - | If you are using the link generated by [[media file uploader]] as the URL for a deal, please complete the Store Domain field if it has not been automatically pre-filled. | ||
| ==== Search first ==== | ==== Search first ==== | ||
| - | Someone else might have already submitted the deal. In that case, vote on the existing deal instead. Duplicated deals will be deleted. | + | Someone else might have already submitted the deal. In that case, vote on the existing deal instead. Duplicated deals will be removed. |
| There are 3 ways of searching to see if your deal has been posted. | There are 3 ways of searching to see if your deal has been posted. | ||
| Line 80: | Line 63: | ||
| - See [[help:tagging_guideline|product tags]] to see recent deals posted that are tagged with your product. | - See [[help:tagging_guideline|product tags]] to see recent deals posted that are tagged with your product. | ||
| + | ==== Starting Etiquette ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * New users shouldn't write I'm new, don't flame me etc. | ||
| + | |||
| + | For first time posters, it's best to avoid telling the community that you are new and asking them to take it easy on you. The "1 icon" {{http://www.ozbargain.com.au/files/images/1st.png}} will be shown to indicate if this is your first post. | ||
| - | ==== Be descriptive ==== | + | ==== Write a descriptive title & description ==== |
| - | * //Please check [[Title Guidelines]] on how to write descriptive title for your deals.// | + | * //Please check [[Title Guidelines]] on how to write a descriptive title for your deal.// |
| * //Please check [[Tagging Guideline]] on how to correctly tag a deal.// | * //Please check [[Tagging Guideline]] on how to correctly tag a deal.// | ||
| - | Please explain clearly what the deal is about:- | + | Please explain clearly what the deal is about: |
| - State the merchant and product model, and provide a brief description if you wish. | - State the merchant and product model, and provide a brief description if you wish. | ||
| Line 101: | Line 89: | ||
| * Note: If you know someone who works for or owns that business or if someone asks you to post or comment, state this when posting or commenting | * Note: If you know someone who works for or owns that business or if someone asks you to post or comment, state this when posting or commenting | ||
| - | ===== Grey Area ===== | + | ==== URL / Link ==== |
| - | There are a number of grey areas regarding bargains. This section of the guidelines covers what is less desirable. However, the ultimate action taken can vary from one deal to another, based on community response among other factors. | + | * Always link directly to the specific product page. |
| + | |||
| + | * Do **not** link to the company's top-level website unless there is no specific page that can be instead. | ||
| + | Linking to a top-level website, especially when there is a direct link to the product, is often regarded as spam-like conduct and is not welcomed. | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Do not post affiliate or referral links in the URL. | ||
| + | If you have an affiliate or referral link, please put the URL in the description only. The unaffiliated link that links directly to the specific product should be put in the URL field. More about [[help:deal_posting_guidelines#affiliate_links|affiliate links]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | *If the link is from a third-party site like Facebook or Twitter, please complete the Store Domain field (located below the URL field) if it has not been automatically pre-filled. | ||
| + | For example, if you are linking to a promotion for Woolworths that is published on Facebook, enter 'woolworths.com.au' in the Store Domain field. | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Do not link to a picture. | ||
| + | There is no need to link to a picture on a website. A [[help:foxshot|screenshot]] will automatically be generated from the URL of the linked website. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Media File Uploader === | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Use only when there is no direct link to the bargain or information supporting the bargain. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The [[media file uploader]] is [[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/14069#comment-75624|not needed]] in the vast majority of cases. The uploader should only be used for scanned images (e.g. catalogues, flyers) and photos (e.g. receipts, pricing displays) when there is no webpage or website that could be linked to instead. | ||
| + | |||
| + | If you are using the link generated by [[media file uploader]] as the URL for a deal, please complete the Store Domain field if it has not been automatically pre-filled. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Grey Area ===== | ||
| ==== Limited Quantity ==== | ==== Limited Quantity ==== | ||
| Line 119: | Line 132: | ||
| ==== Listings on Mass Retailing Sites ==== | ==== Listings on Mass Retailing Sites ==== | ||
| - | If it's a listing on a site such as eBay, Oztion etc please follow all other guidelines to see if the listing should be excluded for any reason. | + | If it's a listing on a site such as [[help:posting_guidelines_on_ebay|eBay]], [[help:posting_guidelines_on_quicksales|quicksales]] etc please follow all other guidelines to see if the listing should be excluded for any reason. |
| Remember to consider whether it really is a bargain as compared with stores. | Remember to consider whether it really is a bargain as compared with stores. | ||
| Line 125: | Line 138: | ||
| If it still looks okay, next look at the history of the seller. If they've been selling for a while and still seem to be active, the listing is more likely to be allowed. | If it still looks okay, next look at the history of the seller. If they've been selling for a while and still seem to be active, the listing is more likely to be allowed. | ||
| - | * //Related article -- [[Posting Guidelines on eBay]]// | + | * //Related article -- [[Posting Guidelines on eBay]], [[Posting Guidelines on quicksales]]// |
| ==== Price Matching Deals ==== | ==== Price Matching Deals ==== | ||
| Line 141: | Line 154: | ||
| ==== Affiliate Links ==== | ==== Affiliate Links ==== | ||
| - | Affiliate links are generally //not welcomed// on OzBargain. Many members of OzBargain are already using various cashback schemes (e.g. [[http://www.starthere.com.au|StartHere]], [[http://www.buckscoop.com.au|Buckscoop]]) to get cashback from various affiliation networks. Therefore by using your link, our members might miss out the chance of getting cashback, which makes your deal more expensive! | + | Affiliate links are generally //not welcomed// on OzBargain. Many members of OzBargain are already using various cashback schemes (e.g. [[http://www.starthere.com.au|StartHere]], [[http://www.qwibble.com.au|Qwibble (formerly Buckscoop)]]) to get cashback from various affiliation networks. Therefore by using your link, our members might miss out the chance of getting cashback, which makes your deal more expensive! |
| Moreover, we do not want to encourage people sharing low quality deals just for the sake of earning affiliation commissions. | Moreover, we do not want to encourage people sharing low quality deals just for the sake of earning affiliation commissions. | ||
| - | Steps to take: | + | **How to check if an affiliate link for a store is allowed:** |
| - | * Check whether this merchant already has commission cashback offered by sites like [[http://www.starthere.com.au|StartHere]] or [[http://www.buckscoop.com.au|Buckscoop]]. | + | * Does the merchant already offer commission cashback via sites like [[http://www.starthere.com.au|StartHere]] or [[http://www.qwibble.com.au|Qwibble]]? |
| - | * Make sure you check that the deal you are posting is not part of a Group Buy or Daily Deal site. If NO, then | + | * Is the deal you are posting part of a [[:list_of_group_buy_sites|Group Buy]] or [[:list_of_one_deal_a_day_sites|Daily Deal]] site? Due to the influx of [[:list_of_one_deal_a_day_sites|Daily Deal]] and [[:list_of_group_buy_sites|Group Buy]] deals, affiliate and/or referral links on such deals are not permitted. |
| + | * Is this your first post? Have you been a user for less than 6 weeks? Users with a {{http://www.ozbargain.com.au/files/images/1st.png}} or {{http://www.ozbargain.com.au/files/images/redp.png}}/{{http://www.ozbargain.com.au/files/images/greenp.png}} next to their name on deal posts are not allowed to post affiliate links. | ||
| + | * If you are posting a discount code deal AND the site does not allow referral code use on discounted deals with code (eg Vitacost where only one code can be used - either discount or referral code). | ||
| + | * If any of the above is true, **stop! Affiliate links or referral codes are not allowed anywhere in the deal**, not even in the deal description. Otherwise, continue. | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Steps to take to post an affiliate link for stores that are allowed: | ||
| + | ** | ||
| * You need to post the **non-affiliation link** in the main URL/Link field. | * You need to post the **non-affiliation link** in the main URL/Link field. | ||
| * You are then allowed to post affiliation links **at the end** of the main post body. Make sure you declare your affiliation link. For example, | * You are then allowed to post affiliation links **at the end** of the main post body. Make sure you declare your affiliation link. For example, | ||
| * It contains my affiliation link, and if you click through and make purchase, I will be getting commission from your purchases. | * It contains my affiliation link, and if you click through and make purchase, I will be getting commission from your purchases. | ||
| - | * Your post will be marked by a moderator as an affiliate post which places an *aff* tag next to your username. | + | * Your post will be marked by a moderator as an affiliate post which places an *aff* tag next to your username. |
| - | * You are limited to 2 posts (including forum posts) a week containing affiliate links. | + | * Posts containing affiliate links (deal or forum) are subject to **posting limit restrictions** - see section below. |
| - | * DO not post affiliate link in Coupon code section. This supports the requirement for the link to be placed at end of text. | + | * Do not post affiliate link in Coupon code section. This supports the requirement for the link to be placed at end of text. |
| - | * Referral links are a privilege for members in a "Win Win" situation. After posting other members can also post their links. Voting down others links is frowned upon and may invoke a penalty. Especially by the original poster. | + | * Do not mention ways to circumvent a sites referral rules - eg multiple sign ups. |
| - | * At Ozbargain we consider the main beneficiary of referral votes must always be the user. NOT the poster. | + | * Do not link to your affiliated deal elsewhere on OzBargain (forums, comments in other deals). |
| + | * At Ozbargain we consider the main beneficiary of referral votes must always be the user. NOT the poster. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ** Affiliate link posting limit ** | ||
| + | * As of 22 January 2013, affiliate link posting is subject to a per-user throttling subject to quality of past affiliate deals. | ||
| + | * By default, users are limited to 1 affiliate post (deal + forum) every 24 hours or 2 affiliate posts (deal + forum) every rolling week, **however** | ||
| + | * Users that have posted affiliate deals that have low votes will be further limited. The vote average is calculated by taking the sum of (positive vote - negative vote) for each deal post, divided by the number of recent deals. | ||
| + | * If the vote average across the recent deals is 0 or below, the user cannot submit affilate posts until the vote average is corrected over time. | ||
| + | * If the vote average across the recent deals is between 0 and 3, the user cannot submit affiliate posts for 2 weeks from the last post. | ||
| + | * If the vote average across the recent deals is between 3 and 8, the user's limit is reduced to maximum 1 affiliate post per week. | ||
| + | * Users who have posted good deals with affiliate links are rewarded - if the two most recent affiliate deals made the front page, the limit is increased to 3 posts per week. | ||
| + | * Users who have reached their affiliate posting limit will see a warning on the deal submission page. If they continue to submit posts with affiliate links despite the warning, their account will be placed in the penalty bin. | ||
| + | * Users who have exceeded their affiliate posting limit will not be able submit further posts. | ||
| + | * Users who have reached or exceeded their affiliate posting limits will be able to see further information on the vote average/breakdown of posts in their post history page, visible to themselves and moderators only. | ||
| Moderators still hold the right to unpublish offers or remove affiliation part of the links, if found inappropriate. Requests for removal by the OP will be denied unless there is a sufficient reason. | Moderators still hold the right to unpublish offers or remove affiliation part of the links, if found inappropriate. Requests for removal by the OP will be denied unless there is a sufficient reason. | ||
| - | Due to the influx of [[:list_of_one_deal_a_day_sites|Daily Deal]] and [[:list_of_group_buy_sites|Group Buy]] deals, affiliate and/or referral links on such deals are not permitted. This includes links or codes within the deal description. | + | |
| * //Related article -- [[Affiliate Links]]. As of 2010, OzBargain is also using affiliation links to **guests**, i.e. not logged-in members, as part of its monetisation method.// | * //Related article -- [[Affiliate Links]]. As of 2010, OzBargain is also using affiliation links to **guests**, i.e. not logged-in members, as part of its monetisation method.// | ||
| - | ===== What Should Not Be Posted ===== | + | ==== Merchants & Store Representative ==== |
| - | It might be easier to spell out what should not be posted here. Your "deal" might attract negative votes from OzBargain members and/or getting unpublished if you post the following material. | + | * As OzBargain is a community website, deals that you have posted will be judged and voted by our community members. Post when you have a bargain and not just for advertising purposes. Generic advertisements may be removed or may make it difficult for you to post, when you have something that really should be popular. Reps posting deals which are constantly attracting excessive negative votes may also see the account and/or domain banned by the mods. |
| + | * Merchants should note that small reductions, excessive conditions, and other costs related to the deal will NOT be well received. Users will likely vote negative for your deals and moderators may **BAN** or restrict deals, reps, or sites that are not well received. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== What Should Not Be Posted ===== | ||
| ==== Duplicates ==== | ==== Duplicates ==== | ||
| Line 173: | Line 208: | ||
| Don't post duplicates (deals that are already on the site). Please [[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/help:deal_posting_guidelines#search_first|search]] OzBargain before posting. | Don't post duplicates (deals that are already on the site). Please [[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/help:deal_posting_guidelines#search_first|search]] OzBargain before posting. | ||
| + | Exceptions: | ||
| + | |||
| + | * The original deal is older than one month, and was expired or sold out between then and now. | ||
| + | |||
| + | * The original deal is active but older than 6 months. | ||
| + | |||
| + | * The duplicate gains an excessive amount of positive votes (50+) and reaches the front page. | ||
| + | |||
| + | * The original deal is a long list of [[http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/94757|items]] and the item is not contained in the title or first line of the original deal. | ||
| ==== Auctions ==== | ==== Auctions ==== | ||
Last edited by ozpete on 2012/08/17 11:12