Self Referrals/(“PSAs”)

How much does ST earn if I click on an advert and buy something?

How much if I click on a link in a thread and buy something?

As I was browsing just now I noticed ads for the skis I am thinking of buying for my son. ( No surprise there)At some point in the next few weeks I will probably get my arse into gear and buy them.

It would make sense if it could earn ST a kickback from that purchase, but getting that exact ad to appear at the time I finally get my shit together is  an outside chance.

So it occured to me I could just start a thread saying “Look at these awsumz skis I’m buying”, then open the thread, click the link and buy them.

Given that we’re talking somewhere upwards of £500 it might be worth doing. And knowing how obsessed ST users seem to be with shopping in general, it might be a reasonable earner when people  are about you splash serious cash.

What have I missed?

You missed putting the link in this thread!

If you click on an ad then we don;t generally get a commission. The advertiser in that case is paying us for the ad being there. However, most advertisers are paying for clicks, so the value only really filters down to us until ads are clicked. But don’t worry too much about that – even a click only nets us between 5p-£1 depending on the product being advertised.

All outgoing links, however, are run through our affiliate provider Skimlinks. We will score a commission on the sale of between 1-5% but only if that retailer is part of the affiliate network. Not every company or retailer is. Retailers need to join an affiliate program and commit a set % as a commission for that to work. I can check any retialer or link to see if there’s a commission opportunity at the end so if you tell me where you are thinking of buying from I can let you know if there’s a chance for us to get the commission.

All outgoing links, however, are run through our affiliate provider Skimlinks. We will score a commission on the sale of between 1-5% but only if that retailer is part of the affiliate network. Not every company or retailer is. Retailers need to join an affiliate program and commit a set % as a commission for that to work. I can check any retialer or link to see if there’s a commission opportunity at the end so if you tell me where you are thinking of buying from I can let you know if there’s a chance for us to get the commission.

Presumably broadly the same as going to buy something via Topcashback, Quidco, etc?

But don’t worry too much about that – even a click only nets us between 5p-£1 depending on the product being advertised.

Missing a trick there not having adverts from Reform, I’m sure plenty of us would quite happily transfer a few quid from Farage’s grift to ST!  Think of it like the Mails side-bar-of-shame, a little box of morally abhorrent adverts to click on to feed the hamsters and then ignore.  I’d feel guilty clicking on any nice companies link now if I don’t buy anything!

What happens if someone here clicks a link and then purchases via one of the cashback type sites?

The purchaser would almost certainly get the cashback but would STW also see the commission? Or would the affiliate thing see that cashback was paid and wipe out the commission?

can check any retialer or link to see if there’s a commission opportunity at the end so if you tell me where you are thinking of buying from

Tiso

Ekosport

SportBittl

SportConrad

They’d earn more if you put your principles of only wanting to support the forum and not the mag aside and bought a sub (wink emoji)

What happens if someone here clicks a link and then purchases via one of the cashback type sites?

The purchaser would almost certainly get the cashback but would STW also see the commission? Or would the affiliate thing see that cashback was paid and wipe out the commission?

Generally in that sort of situation I believe the last one gets it and everything else is ignored. Probably checks the current tracking cookies at the time of purchase or something.

Ossify is correct. Last one gets it.

I’ll check those suppliers and report back any commission they offer.

Tiso – 6%

Ekosport – Nothing

SportBittl – 4%

SportConrad – Nothing

Just click the links and shop.

Ooo, another question from me then. Does rejecting cookies on the retailer site affect anything?

I don’t think so as the affiliate ID. Ie the unique code that tells the retailer that we sent you is usually attached as part of the url rather than a cookie.