Referral links

velissa9906 said:
Why are some links posted referral links? who are these referrals going to?
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Sponsors regulary utilize what I call "bounceback" links [codes used to track stats with Google Analytics] so they can track from where an entrant found their promo.
 
Amy maybe you know the answer to this - you seem to know a lot and I always see you answering questions people ask on the site (Do you work here?) Or if not I am sure someone can answer my question. I just entered a facebook contest for a $500 Chico Gift Card and at the bottom of the page it said referred by Diane or Diana with the little bitly referral code. Are you saying that is a bounceback code or is that someone's referral link who is getting an extra entry every time one of the users here clicks the link to enter the contest?
 
When you enter a sweep that allows referrals, you're given a referral code, or link. If someone else enters using your link, you get an additional entry. If you've entered by using another persons link, then that person gets an additional entry. Occasionally you'll see someone mention a sweep in a forum such as this, along with an entry URL. Odds are that they've listed their own entry link rather than the URL of the sweep - this will give them an additional entry for everyone who uses it. I know of one Sweep site where the members are heavy in the use of links. The first person enters and get an entry link. They then post their link in the comment section. The second entrant uses that link to enter and then posts their link in the comment section. The third entrant repeats the process, and so on. I think this is a fraudulent use of the process. I believe the link was intended to be used by you for friends and relatives, not total strangers from a sweep site. It's already hard to win, and this just makes it harder for those of us who don't refer. My friends and relatives don't sweep and would disown me I started ending them email links to sweeps or, worse yet, if I gave out their email addresses to the sweep as some sweeps want.

PS: Amy is a Moderator at SA - just look at her posts (35,293). She types with with her finger stubs.

PPS: Is this the sweep? Facebook (today) - Chico Womens Clothing Live In Style Zenergy Sweepstakes - - https://www.facebook.com/LoveChicos/?sk=app_150794994973742&rest=1 - - - - - I find this referral link acknowledgementa the bottom if I scroll down - - - - - Referred by Diane, using Chico's: Chico?s Live In Style Zenergy Sweepstakes


:)
 
Hi. Thanks for the reply. I understand what referral links are but my question is are they using referral link codes in the Sweepstakes Plus / Advantage Listings? If they are they are getting an awful lot of referrals from the users at Sweepstakes Advantage/Plus. That is my question. If they are that is this sites choice but I would just like to be aware of it. Yes the sweep you are inquiring about is the one I was referring to. That was on the bottom of the sweepstakes page but most of the sweeps where you get a bonus entry when someone you refer uses your link doesn't post the persons name or info at the bottom of the sweepstakes form.
 
azpeggy - Unless an editor makes a mistake and/or a sponsor [or rep of a sponsor] lists a promo, referral links for additional entries are not how SA/SP lists.

However, SA/SP will on occasion use what I mentioned above ["bounceback" links] to show a sponsor where entries come from so they can see if they do/would benefit from listing thru SA/SP.

It's sometimes difficult to tell the difference - if you suspect that a listing does have a referral link for additional entries PLEASE us the REPORT PROBLEM link located under every listing, thanks!

Clear as mud, huh?


SA members may, after being at SA a minimum of 2 weeks, ask others to enter via their referral links to earn additional entries/ask for votes,
BUT, SA members may only ask/post in the Forum: Referral and Vote Requests

Referral and Vote Requests

PLUS members may also post to that forum and put their links/asks in their signature.

Nobody [SA/SP] is allowed to ask for votes/referral link entries in the COMMENTS


azpeggy said:
Hi. Thanks for the reply. I understand what referral links are but my question is are they using referral link codes in the Sweepstakes Plus / Advantage Listings? If they are they are getting an awful lot of referrals from the users at Sweepstakes Advantage/Plus. That is my question. If they are that is this sites choice but I would just like to be aware of it. Yes the sweep you are inquiring about is the one I was referring to. That was on the bottom of the sweepstakes page but most of the sweeps where you get a bonus entry when someone you refer uses your link doesn't post the persons name or info at the bottom of the sweepstakes form.
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lol curmudgeon - after all these years I'm still a 2 finger, hut & peck typist, so no nubby fingers :p

I usually avoid the "Share & ppl must enter via your link" types of promos even though I am a member of various [private] sweepers groups on Facebook where we share new promos/ask others to enter via our link - too confusing/complicated for me

But, I do find & add from those shared promos, but I use a clean link, as close to the main entry/LP [Landing Page] as I can find - usually, that means obtaining the entry link via the rules and/or cutting off the end of the rules URL & reloading

curmudgeon said:
When you enter a sweep that allows referrals, you're given a referral code, or link. If someone else enters using your link, you get an additional entry. If you've entered by using another persons link, then that person gets an additional entry. Occasionally you'll see someone mention a sweep in a forum such as this, along with an entry URL. Odds are that they've listed their own entry link rather than the URL of the sweep - this will give them an additional entry for everyone who uses it. I know of one Sweep site where the members are heavy in the use of links. The first person enters and get an entry link. They then post their link in the comment section. The second entrant uses that link to enter and then posts their link in the comment section. The third entrant repeats the process, and so on. I think this is a fraudulent use of the process. I believe the link was intended to be used by you for friends and relatives, not total strangers from a sweep site. It's already hard to win, and this just makes it harder for those of us who don't refer. My friends and relatives don't sweep and would disown me I started ending them email links to sweeps or, worse yet, if I gave out their email addresses to the sweep as some sweeps want.

PS: Amy is a Moderator at SA - just look at her posts (35,293). She types with with her finger stubs.

PPS: Is this the sweep? Facebook (today) - Chico Womens Clothing Live In Style Zenergy Sweepstakes - - https://www.facebook.com/LoveChicos/?sk=app_150794994973742&rest=1 - - - - - I find this referral link acknowledgementa the bottom if I scroll down - - - - - Referred by Diane, using Chico's: Chico?s Live In Style Zenergy Sweepstakes


:)
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Ah - Diane is Ken's wife {owners of SA/SP} & this is how the editors list certain promos to show sponsors a bounceback link back to SA/SP

If you come across any random referral links that do not benefit SA/SP, then please do use the REPORT PROBLEM link located under every listing ty!
 
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Wanted to add to:

But, I do find & add from those shared promos, but I use a clean link, as close to the main entry/LP [Landing Page] as I can find - usually, that means obtaining the entry link via the rules and/or cutting off the end of the rules URL & reloading

*If I list a promo and it's for a sponsor SA/SP works with, my submitted link will be changed to the bounceback link
 
:-) Thanks Amy! It never occurred to me that referral links were used and I was just thrown off by seeing the referred by message on the bottom of the sweepstakes. Makes me feel better. And I didn't notice the number of posts when I asked if you worked here. I am glad to hear that you are one of the moderators as you are always there to help. Thanks Amy and curmudgeon. Hope you have a great weekend!
 
azpeggy - if you've ever spent time in some other sweeps forums/comments you *might* have gotten the impression that the sweeping community is dog eat dog so being leery would be natural!

Yeah, in my 10 1/2 years here I've posted a lot, huh? :o :p

azpeggy said:
:-) Thanks Amy! It never occurred to me that referral links were used and I was just thrown off by seeing the referred by message on the bottom of the sweepstakes. Makes me feel better. And I didn't notice the number of posts when I asked if you worked here. I am glad to hear that you are one of the moderators as you are always there to help. Thanks Amy and curmudgeon. Hope you have a great weekend!
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amyshulk said:
azpeggy - if you've ever spent time in some other sweeps forums/comments you *might* have gotten the impression that the sweeping community is dog eat dog so being leery would be natural!

Yeah, in my 10 1/2 years here I've posted a lot, huh? :o :p
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I wonder if there's such a thing as finger diarrhea ? LOL :)
 
Amy this was the first place I landed when I started entering sweeps back in 2011. I have seen other sites but they don't seem to compare to this one. I love everything about this site. I am sorry if I sounded like a grump when I posted I am dealing with chronic back, hip and leg pain right now and some times I think my pain comes across in my tone. I see you are in Las Vegas - are you at the convention? Used your referral link for the armour great moms sweep since I hadn't entered it yet.
 
No doubt curmudgeon - I seem to have lost my filter - oh wait, never really had one, I'd just blurt whatever came to mind & I learned that some people would twist what I'd say into darkest meaning

curmudgeon said:
I wonder if there's such a thing as finger diarrhea ? LOL :)
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azpeggy - we have similar pain issues - mine is Sciatica, spinal stenosis, herniated disc L4, L-5, S-1, & degenerative disc disease so I totally know what you mean about not allowing our inner pain show in our outer interactions!

azpeggy said:
Amy this was the first place I landed when I started entering sweeps back in 2011. I have seen other sites but they don't seem to compare to this one. I love everything about this site. I am sorry if I sounded like a grump when I posted I am dealing with chronic back, hip and leg pain right now and some times I think my pain comes across in my tone. I see you are in Las Vegas - are you at the convention? Used your referral link for the armour great moms sweep since I hadn't entered it yet.
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amyshulk said:
No doubt curmudgeon - I seem to have lost my filter - oh wait, never really had one, I'd just blurt whatever came to mind & I learned that some people would twist what I'd say into darkest meaning
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Amy, in the 10 years we've interacted on ST I've never known you to be anything other than polite and respectful. My comment about diarrhea was a dismal attempt at humor. I was trying to link the volume of your posts with verbal diarrhea, and I came up with finger as you were typing, not speaking. The comment was meant as a humorous poke at volume, not content. The position as moderator involves daily contact with the membership and one would expect you to have a high volume of posts. I think you do a great job in a stressful position. Please keep up the um, . . . . . comments :)
 
curmudgeon - I try very hard to treat others as I wish to be treated & online I can write out a response, re-read & sit on it for awhile if it's not what I'd like to hear & then I'll usually rewrite/reword or decide posting is counterproductive :cool:

curmudgeon said:
Amy, in the 10 years we've interacted on ST I've never known you to be anything other than polite and respectful. My comment about diarrhea was a dismal attempt at humor. I was trying to link the volume of your posts with verbal diarrhea, and I came up with finger as you were typing, not speaking. The comment was meant as a humorous poke at volume, not content. The position as moderator involves daily contact with the membership and one would expect you to have a high volume of posts. I think you do a great job in a stressful position. Please keep up the um, . . . . . comments :)
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