Is it evil.

to seed an web site directory with aff links?

[Frequent]

One of my sites has a pretty popular web site directory. I have noticed that there are a number of aff. programs aimed at the market this directory serves and I could easily ad listings with aff links as the url to numerous categories. I could even give the links premium placement very easily.

The categories in question are sales related categories, so people are going there to shop anyhow. I figure, why not make a little cash?

For some reason it still feels naughty.

Freq---

[hunderdown]

I add affiliate links to a links page or directory page IF I would have added them anyway, without the bonus of it being a possible money-earner. You have to be tough on yourself. And realistic, because unless your directory gets a LOT of traffice you aren't going to make much from those links. Keep the directory high-quality.

[rainydazed]

I use the cn-cat directory, which allows a moderator to move particular links to the top with a little gold star by them. I changed the star to a tiny graphic that says, "ad", and that ended the guilt trip. People are used to seeing ads at the top of link directories, and this keeps your aff links on top.

[ska_demon]

Rainydazed,

That is pretty much what I have done. I have a niche directory that happens to have a very large number of affiliate programs within it. Most of the companies that I would have added anyway have an aff prog so I figure if they would get a place anyway it might as well be the affiliate link rather than the direct URL. There is nothing wrong with manipulating your directory to make it more profitable as long as it doesn't interfere with its usefulness.

Ska