Auto-Linking

[skoenig]

Some of you have seen auto-generated links for specific keywords. These links currently point to Amazon pages for topical keywords but it's conceivable that in the future carrier specific device names may point to that carrier's device page or firmware names point to the source page automatically and so on and so forth. Also brand names may point to the brand's home page (via a referral link perhaps).

We're trying to find a happy medium between commercial intent and user experience.

To that end on WPC I've adapted the code to make the links different in appearance and added a title tag so that it states it's auto-generated....I've also added frequency counts per page (max 3 per kw per page). I also modified the terms so that is more specific with what it looks for. This update will be rolled to other forums in due course.

If someone has a better phrase to use instead of auto-generated (that doesn't use the word sponsored or ads) send them my way.

Examples:

Group 1 Xbox One | Xbone
Group 2 PS 4 | Playstation 4
Group 3 ATT | AT&T
Group 4 Verizon | Verizon Wireless
Group 5 Sprint PCS | Sprint
Group 6 T-Mobile | TMobile

Only one in each group will get linked...


~Steph

 

[palandri]

I am good with it; the more Mobile Nations makes the better, as far as I am concerned. It costs a lot of money to send writers to all these announcements to stay on top of the mobile world. Others may find it intrusive that we have made their post points to a revenue generated link, but that something you guys will have to evaluate. I could certainly see that o Aperture o wasn't happy with it.

 

[skoenig]

Yeah I'm sensitive to that...like I said we're testing our own solution because the SkimWords alternative I think is more intrusive.

On the UI side I want to make sure we don't dupe users into following links they think were created by the original poster hence the different look and newer link title text. Next I want to make sure we don't over do it and obviously want to make sure there's a degree of relevancy to what we land clickers on, commercial or not.

Early days.

~Steph

 

[Dave Blake]

Just going to say "I'm not a fan". This becomes a distraction to the posters commentary. If I am new and posting here for the first time I would find this unnerving. Thoughts: This place is putting words in my mouth by making my posts clicks to (whatever) I don't support. What if I hate XBOX I wouldn't want to think I am helping sell them by posting my opinion here.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Just going to say "I'm not a fan". This becomes a distraction to the posters commentary. If I am new and posting here for the first time I would find this unnerving. Thoughts: This place is putting words in my mouth by making my posts clicks to (whatever) I don't support. What if I hate XBOX I wouldn't want to think I am helping sell them by posting my opinion here.

I agree. I personally hate all game consoles with a passion. I only mention game console names to try to help posters or be friendly. I certainly don't support game consoles myself in any way, shape or form.

 

[skoenig]

All good comments worthy of note.

Can anyone think of a suggested link that might be useful?

~Steph

 

[Laura Knotek]

All good comments worthy of note.

Can anyone think of a suggested link that might be useful?

~Steph

I have a link to the WPCentral Store in my signature.

I really do not wish to promote other products/sites just based on something I might happen to type in a post.