What Constitutes a Commercial Web Site These Days?

[Kaspian]

I've been wondering what the general concencus is on the matter of what most people consider to be a commercial web site currently. Several search engines and web-related software companies cut webmasters a break if they run a non-commercial site. So what is considered commercial, then? Does it have to be a site that sells something directly? What about larger hobby sites that run some ads in order to pay for their server bills, is this too considered commercial by those in the know?

[vitaplease]

grey area, .com can be enough to be called "commercial".

I had a reply for a link listing suggestion from a us-governmental educational site saying they have a policy not to link to dot.com's at all.

[Tony_Perry]

any site that exist to generate profits, leads or influence you to purchase either now or some time in the future their product or service.

[chiyo]

yep the term is virtually useless for labelling websites. Tony Perrys definition is great but it would include almost 100% of web sites (a univerisity domain attempts to provide the branding to influence you to enrol, hire people with their degrees, buy their research, donate or whatever, even if their is no call to action) - a government site may sell reports or info, or brand a country so you will see they are safe and therefore invest.

An info site may have affiliate links.

Even blogs have ads, and personal sites are often there to sell something - an individual - (hire me! listen to me!)

Ive seen com sites that are devoid of all selling, and edus and orgs that are full of it.

IId have a go in this very risky area and say a commercial site is any site that asks you to send money! Bad i know, but as good as i can think up right now.