Should we automatically add our affiliate code to outgoing links to Bundle Stars?

A big resounding YES. Just do it. In fact, if there's anything else that can be done to support the site, I for one would really like to know about it.

How about an OPT-IN option on the Account - Profile - Sync page to enable the SG affiliate code added to Bundle Stars links?
It may resolve the conundrum of users who are strongly against seeing referral links versus those of us that wish to support the site via this method.
I admit it doesn't address the perceived "unfairness" issue but atleast the referral links won't intrude on their browsing experience while on SG.

I would say yes if it benefits the community, either by maintaining the website, making quality GA's for the community, or by some other way.

I would say no if it benefits only yourself, since it would be hypocritical to say you can benefit but others can't through referrals. In this case I would allow other to make referrals as well, BUT they are not allowed to be hidden or misleading and should be unambiguous.

This is your site however and you can do as you please ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Obviously yes.

it's easy to feel entitled to getting things for free. But hosting a website isn't free. That money has to come from somewhere. It costs me NOTHING to click on an affiliate link, and if it benefits a site I use and love, so much the better. It's 100% upside, no downside.

"But CG shouldn't be able to do anything users aren't allowed to do!" I don't agree with this argument at all. Users are absolutely allowed to go make their OWN site and post their affiliate links on it.

Is there a referral link we can use right now? I've got my eye on several Bundle Stars bundles, and I'm ready to get my wallet out.

Apparently this thread is about equality now, so give me a heads up once you have upgraded my account to Admin. Thanks mate ;P

I see no problem with it if you are open and very clear about it so that users understand what they are clicking on.

Absolutely, have at it. While I understand the concern about being fair across the board, i believe that the reasoning or what I assume the reasoning to be behind the current ruleset doesn't apply. If Ref. links were allowed, certainly a lot more threads would be created advertising individual users' links, degrading the forum as a whole, while your usage of a ref. link will do no such thing.

Well, I believe that main problem with referral links - is possible spam - if users are allowed to do this - they will spam with those links all above the forums. But, if it's only site owner referrals, and are added automatically - users won't have a reason to spam with links, and so the problem won't appear. TL;DR: Yes, it's completely OK this way.

Well, this site is amazing, so yeah, do it.
Just make sure to ask a few more times if you want to add it to other sites as well. Just because we're fine with this, doesn't mean we'd be fine with others. (Although I am mostly.)

Meh. You are paying the bills and if this helps, go for it.

Why doesn't Bundle Stars just see the clicks by using the HTTP referrer URL in the request headers?

I voted yes. My opinion is that if it helps to pay the bills and has zero impact on the user experience, it's a win-win. I've seen it on other forums where they add their code to Amazon links, for example.

I don't think it is equivalent to the ban on users posting ref links because that was, I presume, to avoid spam/questionably-motivated posts, while this move would be completely passive and just tacked onto already-existing links. But that is just my opinion.

I don't think it's unfair if a free website includes ways to earn money as long as they are not limiting our ability to use the website.

Go for it cg. I end up here all the time, not just for the GAs, but because the community does such a fantastic job of monitoring deals and bundles. If my coming here first, checking things out, and then clicking through to jump on a good deal or bundle can also benefit you guys and help keep things running, I certainly have no problem with that at all. And it's not as though the affiliate link will change anything on my end, so I really can't see any logical reason to take issue with it.

I think the large reason to ban affiliate links to begin with is to prevent spam. If they are allowed by users, it will undoubtedly lead to spam posts. Keep it banned, but add your own ref links. The extra money could be useful. This combination seems like the best solution for the community in general.

+1 yes

sounds fine to me, good luck hopefully some money can be generated for a well established website.

Add my voice to the "do it" crowd. No discussion, just do it.

I'm not against the use of ref links per se, what I have an issue with is posts being hijacked/redirected even if the end point is effectively the same. It's the same reason why I try and avoid using link shorteners as much as possible - A point that like ref links is also mentioned is the FAQ/Guidlines.

Yes, do it.
If some people have a problem with that, well, the owner makes the house rules. Feel free to move on if it becomes unbearable

the main question is, what benefit will there be for us; "regular" usesr?
All in all I'm agains referall systems whatsoever but in some cases I can understand and tolerate them. It's all about implementation. If it's hidden and sneaky and trying to fool people into using ref links when they are not aware of it - I hate it. When it's open and honest about beeing a referall link and ideally has an alternative referall-free option available next to it - I could get over with.
in summary, just as many people said already - go for it, but keep it reasonable ;)

slippery slope

Why is unfairness and equality even being brought up? We're not all equally working and paying for the site. Lots of people have already mentioned all the good points so I won't repeat but tl;dr as long as it's clear that it's a ref link so people have the option NOT to click it or non-lazy Bs can just EDIT the link themselves. Personally I think it's fine for a site to put in ref-links like an ad, that's practically what it is in text not image.

Please don't start editing everyone's links because you want to make money. I'd prefer some easy to find location to find SG reflinks instead of them constantly being thrown in my face. You're just going to train normally-charitable persons to never click links on this website or have stubborn folks that dislike it being forced adding characters in-between links out of spite, and that's going to make it more difficult for everyone.

Except you, I guess. I'd say just provide an easy to find set of reflinks we can use if we want to. Don't force it. No positive feelings were ever generated by forcing things on anyone.