So recently I’ve noticed a few blog posts on ethics in affiliate marketing. Most notably were the blog posts from Bryn Youngblut and Uberaffiliate. Now I don’t want to come in and repeat what either have said because that would be pointless, besides I have a different views on the subject.

First and foremost people these days need to learn to read the fine print and understand what they are getting themselves into. Day in and day out people will sign up and sign their name to documents without having a full (or even any) understanding of what they are signing up for and what the terms and conditions are. I don’t know about everyone else, but if I go to the bank and fill out any paperwork, I read it first before signing it. I need to know what I am getting myself into before signing my life away.

I know many people don’t associate whats online with whats real but if your dealing with financial information you really need to treat it the same. With Payday loans and credit cards being a HUGE market in affiliate marketing, often people get roped into huge interest rates and crappy terms because they didn’t read all the information presented to them.

Now when it comes to other offers such as Acai Berry, Green Tea, and other products which offers a “free trial” where you “only pay shipping and handling” then get charged down the road, it’s the same thing, it’s all noted in the fine print but when people say free and limited time offer it encourages them to fill out the forms as quickly as possible and often reading the terms and conditions get skipped.

Now do I agree with these shady tactics? Of coarse not. However like everything else – it is buyer beware. Know what your getting yourself into. Though I don’t agree with some of these companies, I have no moral dilemma promoting them. Do you think the kid at the McDonalds counter feels morally or ethically bad for serving fat people cheeseburgers? Do you think the person at the gas station selling people cigarettes feels bad? Of coarse they don’t – they just do their jobs because they need to get paid. To me, there is little difference between them and us (in that aspect at least).

Another thing to take into consideration – a fair bit of affiliate marketing is done through search engines, so realistically people are searching for these offers, you are not shoving the offers down their throats or holding a gun to their head making them sign up.

So after reading this I’m sure some of you think I have no morals and ethics or don’t agree with me. I do what I need to do to be successful, if you don’t promote these offers someone else will, I may as well be the person getting your could be traffic/leads :)