Affiliate links in Facebook

[blessings2all]

I'm new to affiliate marketing. Can you use your affiliate links in Facebook posts? Is that ok with Facebook? Thanks for the help.

[ashamom]

As far as being allowed by FB I'm not sure. However, I've read that for most people who do that, they do not do well. It feels to spammish to their followers. That said, some people DO manage to do well going that route, so it's kind of up to you, your fans/followers, and how everythings all set up.

[morellhenrik]

I agree its looks spammy if you keep on posting affiliate links on any social networking sites, you need to make friends and also post some interesting contents or pics. But in once or a while you can post a affiliate link.

[clairetalk]

You would have to do it in a way that was non-spammy and it's probably against TOS. I know when I post items that I just bought or whatever I do use an affiliate link, but I don't say 'go out and buy this' as it is for an example only.

[Mal Tindle]

Hi,

Not sure about the official Facebook policy but I wouldn’t expect them to allow blatant use of affiliate links. Why not write a review of a product or service then you could point your readers towards this on your Facebook site.

regards,

Mal.

[RevenueGal]

You're much better off creating a good blog post on a topic and leading people to that topic to promote your affiliate links...you'll have much better results.

I believe FB does allow you to promote links (I could be wrong), but anyone could then report you as a spammer, so after a couple of reports, you could get your account banned, I'm sure.

[snakeair]

Just make sure no one reports you for spamming on Facebook. If you promote your affilaite links in a professional way then you shouldn't get any complaint's.

Let's say you created a fanpage and you are communicating with your members about stuff. One day you find a cool site and they have an affiliate program. Just type up a quality wall post about the site and post the affiliate link.

You might want to use a URL shortner like tinyURL or bit.ly to mask the affilaite link. Most people will know that you are masking the affiliate link but the URL shortner just get's rid of the long URL leaving you more room to type up a quality wall post.

I use facebook to talk to family, friends and other people i'm networking with for traffic purpose's only. I don't drop affiliate links on Facebook but only do this on my own website. lol

[AmyKay]

Facebook allows it. The question is.. Does the advertiser? For example, if you are an Amazon Associate, you have to ask Amazon if they will pay you for Facebook traffic. Each advertiser is different.

When you find some that will, facebook can be great for affiliate marketing. I started a page once, for something like "Michigan deals." I posted great deals and sales with affiliate links. I think I used Amazon for it, actually, because with Amazon you can easily link right to the product.

Now... running a Facebook ad is different story. I'm assuming we're talking about regular facebook content.

[sherry5225]

I didn't know that about amazon associates. Amy do you know if that also applies to Amazon Kindle books? For example, if I write a book for Amazon Kindle and then post a link to the book on facebook? I would think that would be ok; but don't want to jeopardize my Amazon associate accounts either.

[AmyKay]

I'm pretty sure it's okay to use facebook as an affiliate for anything on Amazon. You should search their policies to be sure, though.

Now, another question, though... you want to promote sales of a book that YOU have for sale? So you'll get your sale money, PLUS the affiliate commissions? I'm not sure if that's allowed. Kind of sounds like "double dipping." but who knows? You should use their "contact form" and ask them rather than risk your account. Let us know, that would be interesting.

Now, even if you can't get affiliate commissions for your own product, you should still promote it! Selling something of your own on Amazon is almost always more profitable than the lousy 4% commissions. PLUS, then you get other people promoting it for you. Good for you!