Right, okay, I'm still none the wiser.

I work for an insurance company. I recommend several insurance companies on here, sometimes this is the one I work for; purely because I know the different insurance types they cover. I receive no commission for this, as I wouldn't speak to the client as I'm not in that 'field'.

Am I allowed to recommend insurers, and redirect them to their site or is that a no-go because it takes the emphasis from MoneySupermarket where, understandably, revenue is generated?

I agree that the post points should play a key part in the implementing of new rules. It has already been said that people could potentially post to a maximum required and then start advertising. However, by the time this is achieved, MS can already see the contributions made to the forums previously and spot any potential spammers beforehand. Community and VCM's will remove such posts, and member statuses, before this is even noticed.

Please, with a 'yay' or 'nay' answer: "Can I post links to insurance companies directly?" and "Can I recommend insurers?" bearing in mind comparison sites are not technically advanced enough to cater for specific areas of insurance that are non-standard.

Thanks.

Hi.....I have been looking in on odd occasions to see whether there is a general view on this and it seems that there is a definite distinction between offering a helpful link and sweetening up the poster for the kill in respect of spamming. I think V has a point when if you are experienced in your field and there is obviously no financial benefit to the individual it makes sense to allow the member to be sent directly to the source so to speak. I know this may compromise MS. com's position but you do have the opportunity of answering as experts and offering the advice that you may have. It will be extremely hard to decide if we are breaking regulations when we see members in need of immediate help? We can all tell the spammers as soon as they appear... "I arranged this recently for a client" not obvious to everyone, but these posts invariably do not lead to a real advice but to the inevitable link at the appropriate time. I myself could join other sites that allow contact between posters but these sites are a free for all and the advice that genuine posters are seeking is soon lost as the member makes contact privately...no one learns anything this way??? The bars do have some relevance but it is all too obvious that existing members with the appropriate bars may not be best suited to offering the relevant qualified advice, so this in itself will unfortunately cause problems and will be abused just because it can. There will obviously have to be some sort of approval applied to regular posters.

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Regards

Ian

Hi Graeme

Thanks for the clarification. Can you just advise me whether it is ok to respond to enquiries in our area of expertise, and have our company name in my signature?

Helen

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The Guild of Valuers & Jewellers

Graham there ill never be a correct definition of a usefull link on here whilst the current rules about promoting and advertising remain.

Are you saying its ok to post a link to man united for example but not another comparision site or site ith similar intrests to that of this one,

For example would posting man united would be usefull to someone who wants a specific section of their website,would that be ok as they are not a direct commpettior.

Cos one minute you saying its ok then next you are not,your not exactley displaying clarity on the issue.

Give us some examples of links that would be acceptable

Hi again,

Thanks for the comments.

Vicissitude - Unfortunately, not everyone is up front about who they work for and why they might be posting a link. If you’re even thinking about posting a link, the first question to ask is: “Do I really need to?”. If you see a link on the forums, all members should be asking: ‘is that really necessary and why are they posting it?’

In answer to your first question: Yes – if the link is specific enough to assist with a particular member query or help them get a better understanding of a particular issue. We regard an insurance company’s website as a “professional body” as defined by the User Community Standards – although they must be registered with the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the Financial Services Authority etc etc

As an example: a discussion is taking place on how colourful Gordon Brown’s statsumas are. Someone posts a link to the part of Gordon Brown’s website where it states exactly how colourful his satsumas are. That is fine – it assists the discussion and helps with understanding the issue. [Let’s also assume that Gordon Brown’s satsumas are regulated by the FSA or ABI!]

As for recommending a particular insurer because you’ve had a good experience, again - of course you can. However, there is an obvious difference between “Try Gordon Brown’s satsumas” and “try www.gordonbrownssatsumas.com.” etc. Both don't achieve much but the latter does nothing to aid the discussion. Similarly, a series of posts from a member who consistently uses both of these methods and the moderators will have to question what the member is really trying to achieve…

Because of this, the team has to take each link on its own merit: who is posting it, the context it is used in and if they believe it contravenes the User Community Standards and Terms of Service. The moderators question the value of every link and decide on its merit – based upon the rules and guidelines in the User Community Standards and Terms of Service.

HelendD – We think the most important thing is be upfront and honest about who you work for and your area of expertise. We’re more than happy to have you respond to posts – especially if you can help out fellow members. However, we’ve had problems in the past with mortgage and insurance brokers trying to drum-up business and - as completefinance puts it - “sweetening up the poster for the kill”.

We decided then that it was against the rules to place contact details in profiles, signatures or posts and to draw attention to any services you might provide. This includes website links, phone numbers or email addresses or similar in the signature area.

What we won’t accept is: “contact me at the company below.” - or anything similar. That decision must be left entirely up to the member. We have a problem if a signature contains a link or there is any deliberate attempt to solicit business by bringing it to someone’s attention. If it’s simply the title of the company you work for, I don’t really see a problem. It’s how that information is used when problems occur. Again, the moderator’s will decide if they feel there is a conflict.

Red Army – If you don’t understand the User Community Standards and Terms of Service, the simple answer is not to post until you are absolutely clear on what they do mean. It’s really that straightforward. Please don’t be offended if your posts are edited or removed if you don’t understand. “I didn’t know it was wrong to drive through a red light” isn’t a defence in the real world – neither is it here. This is still the real world where laws still apply.

The purpose of this thread was to discuss what constitutes a useful link and how and when the moderators will step in. As I’ve said, we believe it’s working well at the moment – but we wanted to include members in the process and attempt to clarify what is and isn’t acceptable. It’s not a clear cut and simple issue – that’s why we’re discussing it. But I think we’re getting there, aren’t we?

My point about competitors – again – is this: when was the last time you saw an advert for Manchester City at Old Trafford? In the club shop? In the matchday programme? On the emails they send out? On the official website? On the sleeves of the kit? Why do you think you’ve never seen one...?

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Cheers,
Graeme Delap

User Communities Editor, moneysupermarket.com
graeme.delap AT moneysupermarket.com

Thanks Graeme, much appreciated.

Helen

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The Guild of Valuers & Jewellers

Thanking you, Big G!

I won't be saying who I work for, but I probably won't work in that particular field anyway. I don't often recommend them because people are too busy looking for 9p Value Beans opposed to 47p ones of quality (so-to-speak); and therefore be a fruitless exercise in making the recommendation lol! The only time I point them in that direction is where something is specific, and where I know it will help the member. I couldn't give a hoot who gets the higher gross profit!

Thanks for your reply graham.

comparing us recomending sites that are usefull but are your compettior shouldnt be compared to advertising city at a united shop because it doesnt make sense,nothing usefull would come of that ,yet advertising or recomending a link that is usefull to the poster does make sense whether its your rival or not because it helps the poster and makes this site look good,its our opinion so as regular members we should be allowed this privelage.

But as i dont make the rules on this site then i realise not matter what solution comes of this thread,it aint gonna please everyone and isnt gonna be able to help every poster who want us to help them,