It was brought to my attention by several CAGs that there was confusion about how the CAG affiliate links work and how using them help support the site (and my extravagant lifestyle).
Q: What are Affiliate Links?
A: Affiliate links are specially encoded links that let online retailers track who has sent customers to their websites. These links are found in forum posts, the "Shop" menu in the forum header, and the "Stores" menu on the front page.
Q: How do Affiliate Links Help CAG?
A: Retailers pay a commission to CAG for purchases (not click throughs) made through these links. The commission varies, but it is generally 1%-10% of the purchase price, depending on the retailer. This money is used to pay our server bills and for improvements to the site. It is also how I make a living.
As a side-effect, when retailers see a lot of purchases made through CAG links, this sometimes gets their attention and they are more likely to provide CAG with special promotions (coupon codes, exclusive sales, etc).
Q: How do I post CAG's Affiliate Links?
A: You don't have to worry about that. The forum automatically converts most "normal" links into CAG's affiliate links. When posting deals, just post direct links to products (when possible) and the forum will do the rest.
Q: Can I post my own Affiliate Links or other web site's Affiliate Links? Why not?
A: No. Other sites usually do not allow you to post your own advertisements and this is no different. Just as I don't ask the users to help pay the costs of running this site, it is only fair that I don't host your ads at my expense. While an individual may eventually be able to procure a free game or two by posting their affiliate links here, this is how I keep the site running, pay for site improvements, and make my living. Running this site is my full-time job and I do not have any other source of income.
Additionally, if we allowed users to post their own affiliate links, the deals section would likely be overrun by postings that are not actual deals, but any opportunity for users to generate money from affiliate earnings.
I do not make exceptions to this rule because it would be too confusing to allow it in some situations and not in others. If you receive any enjoyment or benefit from using this free web site, hopefully you can respect and understand this decision.
Q: Can I support CAG by buying non-video game items or products that aren't linked to directly?
A: Yes! If you click through any affiliate link and buy any product from that retailer (not just the item directly linked), CAG will get affiliate credit. Also, you can use the "Shop" menu in the forum header or the "Stores" menu on the front page to make sure CAG gets credit.
If you have any other questions, I'll do my best to answer them here.
Thanks for your support!
Q: What are Affiliate Links?
A: Affiliate links are specially encoded links that let online retailers track who has sent customers to their websites. These links are found in forum posts, the "Shop" menu in the forum header, and the "Stores" menu on the front page.
Q: How do Affiliate Links Help CAG?
A: Retailers pay a commission to CAG for purchases (not click throughs) made through these links. The commission varies, but it is generally 1%-10% of the purchase price, depending on the retailer. This money is used to pay our server bills and for improvements to the site. It is also how I make a living.
As a side-effect, when retailers see a lot of purchases made through CAG links, this sometimes gets their attention and they are more likely to provide CAG with special promotions (coupon codes, exclusive sales, etc).
Q: How do I post CAG's Affiliate Links?
A: You don't have to worry about that. The forum automatically converts most "normal" links into CAG's affiliate links. When posting deals, just post direct links to products (when possible) and the forum will do the rest.
Q: Can I post my own Affiliate Links or other web site's Affiliate Links? Why not?
A: No. Other sites usually do not allow you to post your own advertisements and this is no different. Just as I don't ask the users to help pay the costs of running this site, it is only fair that I don't host your ads at my expense. While an individual may eventually be able to procure a free game or two by posting their affiliate links here, this is how I keep the site running, pay for site improvements, and make my living. Running this site is my full-time job and I do not have any other source of income.
Additionally, if we allowed users to post their own affiliate links, the deals section would likely be overrun by postings that are not actual deals, but any opportunity for users to generate money from affiliate earnings.
I do not make exceptions to this rule because it would be too confusing to allow it in some situations and not in others. If you receive any enjoyment or benefit from using this free web site, hopefully you can respect and understand this decision.
Q: Can I support CAG by buying non-video game items or products that aren't linked to directly?
A: Yes! If you click through any affiliate link and buy any product from that retailer (not just the item directly linked), CAG will get affiliate credit. Also, you can use the "Shop" menu in the forum header or the "Stores" menu on the front page to make sure CAG gets credit.
If you have any other questions, I'll do my best to answer them here.
Thanks for your support!
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