Posting links ??

[Vic.S]

At the top of the index to this forum there is a "pinned" request not to post links. I assume that means clickable links as it goes on to ask us to "Use a referal or a partial addy that can be P&C'd to the address bar" (what's a 'referal' any way?)

I have tried asking for an explanation but have not recieved a satisfactory one just this:
"iBoats is an on-line supplier of marine equipment and components. They provide this forum for anyones enjoyment. Why should we stab them in the back and post links to other vendors. Why not support them."

I can see that iBoats will not want links of any kind, including partial addresses that can be copied and pasted, to competietors. That I understand. What I want to know is why is there a total ban on posting clickable links. The facility exists and the help pages explain how to do it so why not use it?

In response to a current question one contributer has attempted to direct the questioner to the engine parts lists on the BRP website in an obsure manner that he has not understood. What is the objection to posting a clickable link directly to the parts catalogue on the BRP website?

I have not noticed any similar requests on other iBoats forums, just this one.

 

[JB]

Re: Posting links ??

Whenever a direct link to any commerecial enterprise is clicked from the iboats bulletin board it is monitored by search engines and negatively affects iboats' priority in searches for boat related sites.

Thus, it is irrelevant whether a link is to a competitor or not. Clicking it hurts iboats interests because it suggests that iboats could not satisfy the member's need.

A referral (non-clickable) has no negative effect.

If you sense of courtesy allows you to refer a member to a direct competitor. . . .well . . .um, no comment.

 

[Vic.S]

Re: Posting links ??

Thanks for the expanation even if not fully understood.

I suppose the facility cannot be disabled? Also the ability of the software to convert a url into a link automatically? Particularly the latter as then it would be possible to post URLs to other sites without causing the problems you mention.

The ethics of posting urls etc of competitors is obvious!

 

[JB]

Re: Posting links ??

Simply leave off (or delete) the part of the url that makes it a link rather than an address and it will not be clickable.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Posting links ??

JB, did you just post a link ?

DHP grinning

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Posting links ??

Never mind,it vansished before my eyes

DHP

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Posting links ??

If I link to a product in iboats store (Commercial Enterprise) in a post, does that harm them? They must not have been harmed too much in the past when we all posted links to other sites, cause everytime I search for anything boat or motor related, they are right at the top of results multiple times....Not that there's anything wrong with that. I support iboats completely through this forum and my wallet, but I have to wonder about this link deal....

And this probably has nothing to do with Johnson/Evinrude engines......

 

[Vic.S]

Re: Posting links ??

Simply leave off (or delete) the part of the url that makes it a link rather than an address and it will not be clickable.

So just leaving off or deleting http:// is all that is needed?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Posting links ??

Yep...Or the WWW.

 

[Vic.S]

Re: Posting links ??

Yep...Or the WWW.

Trouble then is that some urls do not contain www for example the url of the brp parts catalogue. it is just

epc.brp.com/default.aspx?brands=ej&lang=E

Others do such as

www.saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/

If you stick a www. in front of the brp site url it wont work

and if you leave it out of saving-old-seagulls.co.uk/ that wont work. so you dont know where you are

 

[JB]

Re: Posting links ??

Try google.

When a link. is clicked, Google sees iboats not helping the member and the clicked site helping, so clicking on an iboats link is a wash, but clicking on any other site raises their credibility as a boat site and lowers iboats credibility.

That is about as well as I can explain it.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Posting links ??

Yeah man, a NOT understandable by the layman "search" function...I just even figured it out just why. (I think)..