how do i block this, i don't like going through viglink for every link leaving this site

3/26/2011 10:43:56 AM

wat

3/26/2011 11:09:27 AM

you've never noticed that links are routed through viglink so they can track you and make money off of you?

3/27/2011 3:45:03 PM

what are these links you speak of?

3/27/2011 4:17:48 PM

a link is a method of moving from one website page to another or between sections on a single page. A link is usually indicated to the user by using a different font and are often underlined. It is a clickable connection to navigate the internet's series of tubes.

3/27/2011 6:17:50 PM

haha.

example? I've looked at external links and didn't notice any viglink shit. or are you using some tech shit to determine the routing?

3/27/2011 6:43:28 PM

it pops up in the address bar briefly and takes longer to load the page

3/27/2011 7:52:32 PM

Quote :

"Your links can be doing more. Unlock the power of your site's links and earn extra money from your site automatically, transparently and honestly. - viglink.com"

i've never seen that before ever

ever

3/27/2011 8:35:53 PM

sounds like you have some virus/spyware mr howard.

3/27/2011 10:05:56 PM

viglink is a hidden way to turn any link into a referral link for affiliate programs

if its a virus then why is this in the source code for the page?

<script type="text/javascript">
    var vglnk = { api_url: '//api.viglink.com/api',
        key: 'c2eed959f6624d71b2d4866cefb664da'
    };

    (function (d, t) {
        var s = d.createElement(t); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true;
        s.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? vglnk.api_url :
             '//cdn.viglink.com/api') + '/vglnk.js';
        var r = d.getElementsByTagName(t)[0]; r.parentNode.insertBefore(s, r);
    } (document, 'script'));
</script>
</body>
</html>

3/28/2011 12:05:55 AM

It's not in the source code for me.

Time to bust out the anti-spyware stuff, buddy.

3/28/2011 12:23:08 AM

2 computers
2 browsers




still think its a virus?

http://www.viglink.com/support/faq

Quote :

"What is VigLink? VigLink enables you to get paid for doing what you normally do on your blog or site. Whenever you link to a product, website, or promotion, VigLink turns that link into an affiliate link so that you receive a commission for any purchases made."

Quote :

"VigLink for Bloggers and Site Owners So what's happening underneath? After you embed the VigLink library on your page, it monitors when visitors click on a link pointing to a different site. The library checks to see if the URL of that link can be affiliated; if so, the link is automatically affiliated. Will my users notice? Should I disclose it? Most users do not notice on their own although we highly recommend you disclose it. VigLink does not change the user experience one bit. No links are inserted or removed on the page, there are no double-underlines or pop-ups, and mousing over a link looks "clean." The US Federal Trade Commission requires that you disclose use of affiliate links. More information and tools are available. Even if you are not subject to FTC jurisdiction, we strongly recommend you disclose. Our customers have found that readers are completely understanding if they are informed and can be upset if they are surprised. Informing your users will give those who desire it the opportunity to permanently opt-out. Although VigLink is unintrusive, it is easily detectable by savvy users."

rbrthwrd=savvy user

[Edited on March 28, 2011 at 12:39 AM. Reason : .]

3/28/2011 12:35:43 AM

It's not in the source code for me.

Time to bust out the anti-spyware stuff, buddy.

3/28/2011 6:53:05 AM

there are two possibilities here

1. you have something nasty on both computers that's injecting this script into pages - check other sites for similar code

2. qntmfred was piloting some site 3 shit that includes this ethically questionable code last night

3/28/2011 8:16:42 AM

if its a virus its on every ncsu vcl image too

3/28/2011 9:03:03 AM

aaaaand now you're on to something

ncsu collecting that $$$$

3/28/2011 9:13:33 AM

Are you sure it’s every link and not the advertising?

3/28/2011 9:39:01 AM

it's definitely correlated with the presence of ads

logged in premium (with no ads):



not logged in (with ads):

3/28/2011 9:48:51 AM

i can't yet decide if advertising.com is responsible for writing that viglink script into the page (like it's part of the ad creative or creative template) or if qntmfred himself is explicitly injecting that for non-premium users

the ad call is like this

<SCRIPT> var ACE_AR = { Site: '798435', Size: '728090', CallType: 'IFRAME' };</SCRIPT> 
<SCRIPT language='JavaScript' src='http://uac.advertising.com/wrapper/aceUAC.js'></SCRIPT>

3/28/2011 9:57:54 AM

ok here's the deal

a couple months ago a rep from VigLink contacted me with an invitation to try out their service. As has been posted, their javascript code tracks clicked links and gives tww a cut of any affiliate revenue. They are used by sites like macrumors.com, avsforum.com and xda-developers.com. They are also backed by Google so they seem to be a fairly reputable service. About a month ago I added the service to tww, but only for non-logged in users. So rbrthwrd unless you are browsing tww without being logged in all the time, you shouldn't be seeing this. I double checked the code this morning too to make sure this is how it's set up, so if you are seeing this while logged in, please let me know.

That said, I have been trying a number of different advertising services over the last few months, most of which suck. And I personally think the viglink idea is less annoying than typical ads anyways. But regardless, I think the ad service I have running now is working ok so I might end up taking viglink down anyways.

Like I said, I've been tweaking the advertising pretty frequently over the last few months, so I didn't think it was necessary (or interesting) to write a blog post for tww about this change. If you are offended by tww's use of viglink, I apologize. I did ask the viglink rep about community disclosure and he didn't say anything about FTC requirements, so please consider this full disclosure on the subject.

Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns on the subject.

3/28/2011 10:33:28 AM

/thread

3/28/2011 10:35:33 AM

i'm not offended, it just makes following links noticeably slower. they say you can't notice it, but viglinks.com flashes in your address bar and it takes longer to follow a link. i oinly started looking into it because i thought i had some malware causing the problem.

3/28/2011 12:11:23 PM