One question though: Say an operator/service provider is managing several ANNs in different languages. Obviously it would be important for them to track the traffic they are getting from the local boards. Would this be okay or still forbidden?
Since referral links will be deleted because of the spammy side-effects (spamming it everywhere to get more sign-ups), I would say it's allowed if the intention of the OP is not to push the referral link. Like if the purpose is to track the traffic from Bitcointalk to their site. If that's the case, it should be fine.
As far as I know regarding users including a reflink into a very well thought post, adding value and helping others it's also considered to be allowed and I've found different comments:
From my experience yes. IIRC the only time you are allowed to post a ref link is in a well rounded response. E.g. if someone asks for a good service for X and you reply with a well rounded review you may add a ref link if its clear that it is one.
I am not 100% sure on that though, but I think I read something along those lines. All in all, I would say if the ref link is worth it, put it in your signature and otherwise dont bother.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1238563.msg12895517#msg12895517From my experience yes. IIRC the only time you are allowed to post a ref link is in a well rounded response. E.g. if someone asks for a good service for X and you reply with a well rounded review you may add a ref link if its clear that it is one.
I am not 100% sure on that though, but I think I read something along those lines. All in all, I would say if the ref link is worth it, put it in your signature and otherwise dont bother.
It depends on who you ask, but you are right. Only in extremely rare cases is a referral link allowed. The post has to be really constructive/useful and it has to contain both a normal and referral link. OP you shouldn't even try with them, as 99,9% referral links are considered as spam.
I know it is against the rules to post referral links only.
-snip-
Correct,
but it's allowed if it isn't spam.
The only exception is if you're the owner or representative of the gambling website
and you're posting it as the official thread of your casino, that's normally tolerated because it isn't ref code spamming.
Example:
wetsuit's thread - with "
?r=4" as his ref link.
However,
the description of your "review" is one of the example of ref link spam.
I'm not sure but I think I have seen a comment from hilariousandco (Global Moderator) a few weeks ago (or where it was quoted) about that issue and the reply was similar to the quotes above.