Thread: VigLink Automatic Additions

Tweet

I noticed something on one of my posts, but noticed it again this morning on a thread where it adds confusion and potential frustration. For some reason a program called "VigLink" is using common word groups in posts, finding web links for them, and adding those links into our posts automatically. The problem is, when you hit "submit" on your post there is nothing to show that links have been added until it posts, and they are very likely not relevant links. If you take time to go back and read what actually gets posted you may see a few words that are in blue, indicating a link, and if you hover over them it says "Link added by VigLink" - there may be one, or maybe three or four in a post.

Example - This is Post #1 that Bobsundance put up ( Link to his post - Big Block valve covers ), asking for help finding some special valve covers. In line one, note that the words "Orange valve covers" is a link, and when you click it you get an ad for OEM style SBC covers, like this:

orange covers.JPG

when the covers I'm pretty sure he's interested in are these cast babies with the 496 logo, here:

496 stroker.jpg

Now this may not seem like a big deal, but for those who recognize that links are highlighted blue in the text string it sure adds to the confusion, and in fact can lead to "...but you posted a link" accusations, followed by denial. I just can't see that this VigLink feature adds any value, and I for one don't need any help adding confusion to posts. I expect that VigLink is a revenue stream feature, but many times the VigLink link is for something totally off topic!

Brent/Bill, is there any way that you can turn this new "VigLink" adder OFF? That would get my vote, for sure.

Bob, hope you don't mind me using your post as an example - you did everything right, but the system added links which is the point.

It's probably another way to help Brent pay for operational costs, and another thing to ignore............

I've noticed that and wondered about it myself and it does add unnecessary confusion. IMHO, it's one of many reasons this forum is having problems many of which I will not comment on.

As Joe Pesci would say OK OK OK OK OK.

I think this is just automatic reference material , unless it links to an advertiser. I see this all over the web. It seems to be 99% irrelevant information so definitely a nuisance.

I still wonder about these revenue streams. If this is advertising, does it really put the advertiser and his product in a good light?

If there need to be ads , put up ads. If interfering with a surfers research is the only way the advertisers are willing to do it, then make them aware of the negative feedback and if they have a brain ( I'm really giving big business execs too much credit aren't I? ) , they'll realize it's counter productive.


There's too much clutter on the internet. I'm sure we all see when we search for something specific, we get tons of non matching hits because advertiser's put up so many keywords. When I see this on Craigslist I flag it. Sifting through all the junk is annoying and a waste of time.

Spara

It's part of the forum software package, not certain it can or cannot be turned off by Brent as I've checked the Vbulletin forums and there are many complaints about it from sys admins. The only way to stop seeing them is on a person by person opt out at the following link

Opt Out of VigLink


The forum software does not replace a link you might add to a post, although if you are a newbie, it will send your post to the moderation que before it's allowed to be posted to the general forum.

Wow, I find this very intrusive! I click on this link and I get the VigLink page, where I opt out. When did I opt in? How does it know it's me now. Is it tracking me? Who are these people? What personal information are they collecting? I clicked OPT out but nothing seemed to happen. When I go back to the Link it still says enabled.

And if I opt does that mean I won't get the links, or the links just don't get posted in my threads?

Well, maybe we'll get lucky and the North Korean hackers will take them out, unless they are the North Koreans hackers!

Spara

Originally Posted by mrmustang

It's part of the forum software package, not certain it can or cannot be turned off by Brent as I've checked the Vbulletin forums and there are many complaints about it from sys admins. The only way to stop seeing them is on a person by person opt out at the following link

Opt Out of VigLink


The forum software does not replace a link you might add to a post, although if you are a newbie, it will send your post to the moderation que before it's allowed to be posted to the general forum.

Thank you, Bill. I selected "Disable", closed the link, and went back into Bobsundance's #1 Post and the VigLink was gone! Very, very cool, and my thanks again.