What exactly is a "Referral Link"?

[Navid]

I see all the time people on these forums complain about a referral link in someone's post.

What exactly is it? What is the definition of a referral link?
How would I know if a link I plan to post is a referral link or not?

Thanks

 

[SirChadwick]

Google is teh friend.

http://www.leveltendesign.com/kb/terms/referral_links.php

They usually look something like this... although its a non-working link.

http://www.leveltendesign.com/ref=a75940

 

[Rip the Jacker]

ZOMG PLZ

FREE IPOD

HTTP://WWW.FREE_IPODS.COM/?REFID=THIS_IS_A_REFERRAL_LINK

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Navid
I see all the time people on these forums complain about a referral link in someone's post.

What exactly is it? What is the definition of a referral link?
How would I know if a link I plan to post is a referral link or not?

Thanks

Back in time, there were sites where you could get a bonus for referring people to a link. Usually, these were the "Free Mac Mini" or "Free Ipod" sites.

I believe you were allowed to link to such sites, but only if you didn't include a referral code.

[Edit] To expand on Rip the Jacker's post, a referral link would look like this:

HTTP://WWW.FREE_IPODS.COM/?REFID=THIS_IS_A_REFERRAL_LINK

Whereas an allowed link would look like this:

HTTP://WWW.FREE_IPODS.COM

Mind you, just because such a link is allowed does not mean it is in good taste...

 

[Navid]

Thanks