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Well, I USED to be annoyed by your constant complaining. Then I got used to it, it became a part of the SG daily experience.
But now, this post, I applaud you for this. This will finally give you (and everyone else) a clear answer. Sadly if you succeed you will know it by getting suspended, a rather bittersweet victory.
And if you prove that nobody else cares about it... nothing will happen. How fitting.

I couldn't find the "SGTools sucks anyway" option, forum bug?

First things first: I don't like the ref-links on SGTools at all. Neither do I like them anywhere else. And I'm happy to see them gone soon(ish).
I don't like using SGTools either (especially with the broken rules filter set) - though I see the beauty in setting up rules one otherwise would have to verify by hand and invite into groups or building a temporary whitelist. And I see how those rules can be used to open up ones giveaway to more people. Meaning that if used "right" it is anything but elitism. So yeah, I'm all for automation.

Concerning the rules, I believe it's right to clearly state that there is no room for any monetarization on steamgifts other than for steamgifts itself. So no reflinks, no affiliate links, no ads.
But apart from this it's starting getting difficult, what about a youtube link. It's no secret youtube videos can be used to get you a valuable source of income. Should those be banned too? I don't think so, unless the link posting turns into spamming posted by people directly affiliated with the youtube channel

I also don't think one (this means support/mods) should ban all links to pages that contain any form of monetization (ref-links, affiliate links, ads, donation, youtube-videos, and the likes) This would in reality just ban any hotlinking at all. This means the rules of steamgifts cannot be imposed on sites linked in threads/giveaways.

So it boils all down to intentions:

1. What's the intention of the person posting the link here?
2. What's the intention of the page that is linked to?

If someone wants to bypass the rules and therefore uses a pastebin link ;) to post his or her giveaways this clearly should be dealt with.

If someone wants to help the community and informs us about a free game, that's alright. If access to the free game is managed by some shady rules that staff doesn't seem adequate for steamgifts, support should (and will) take action. Though it isn't seen as against the rules since those threads are only closed and people posting it are not suspended. Anyone breaking the rules will be suspended.

In my eyes one has to decide, what is the main purpose on the linked page. For most of those gleam.io/gimme.one etc the main purpose was to gather as many clicks as possible (on links, ref-links, videos, etc.) or/and to gain as many members for some dubious Steam groups. This is clearly unwanted and I'm glad staff is working hard and fast to minimize this sort of threads/links/giveaways. I also think it's right to only close the threads without suspending those who created the thread.

If someone is linking to a site that grants access to a steamgifts giveaway link through a test or actions (like itstoohard, jigidi, sgtools) the main purpose clearly isn't the monetarizing, but restricting access to the giveaway by certain means.

Now SGTools certainly is a very special case since steamgifts is the only reason why it exists and its sole purpose. Therefore I would appreciate a greater collaboration between steamgift staff and knsys about what's in accordance with steamgifts.

In conclusion I don't think the rules can be made any clearer. In some cases It always must be up to staff to decide if some contents are welcome or not. And yes, we live in a world where anything that isn't forbidden is allowed even if it may be morally wrong or shady as f**ck so yeah, SGTools is in compliance with the rules :/

Edit: Sorry for the wall of text, it got longer than intended. Also I was among the first to see your thread, but it took me forever to write this all up :/

I hope there is an answer soon, either way.

oh, I must say... that was very clever!

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where did the rule even go that this is still being brought up about? i know it used to be there, but cannot find it in the faq anymore..

not claiming that cause it is missing it is okay, but where is it now?

www.pleaseclickmyreflinkforlittlemoneyzcuzmebrokeplz.com

I was completely irritated when I first saw the advertising for those shady sites on SGTools and I rather had them not there to be perfectly honest. As I can completely ignore them though and profit(z™) a lot from the usability of SGTools, well, I do ignore them.

People can make steam groups centered around gifting games on steamgifts that like to call out users. Apparently you can be affiliated with this site and break rules as long as it isn't posted directly on it.

Somebody call Drama Alert or Scarce lol na don't, if ref links are banned then they should be banned but again it is off site so it's one of those grey area loopholy type deals.

I like you. (Not-sarcastic and definitely meant).
You made me smile. Clever.

Don't know what support might or might not do about this, but personally I don't mind this way of posting :)

I like the cut of your jib.

thanks for the gib steffke..
but mostly.. couldnt agree more...please more reflinks ;D
and could you please fix them in the pastebin? they seem not to work... :( so-dissapointed

Bump~

I'm afraid this won't prove what you hope for. IANAL, but on the grounds of current ToS and guidelines one can be suspended for unethical behavior. Posting refs is clearly forbidden in guidelines. Finding way around to do that anyway is unethical (and for that, there is ToS line: "the Content...does not contain unethical...". What you do in OP, however, has different purpose, therefore you won't be suspended, ending in opposite what you want to achieve.

This was already mentioned, but side-effect of adopting no-refs on linked pages policy may be as well replaced by no links going outside SG (no big difference in practice, and so much esier to comply with)

Be stubborn as long as you like, fighting what you think is just cause. Respect, even if my interpretation of rules is different )

I clicked on all the refs and turns out they were fake i was hoping to make you some sweet ref money but anyway i agree with you on that and we should get some response from support on the matter

I'm ready to defend you my princess! even if I fail doing it

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Bump

nice use of hating steamgifts rules but keep using the site ^^

wait i have another one

nice use of hating steamgifts default filters and using a 3rd party tool to bypass them instead of going to another site ^^

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To be fair i do agree that Referalls shouldnt be allowed ... tho id add the stupid stuff like Go follow me on twitch / youtube / twitter / facebook aswell ...

If you wana promote your stuff , do it somewhere else ...

Ehhhh what is SGTools about? Please explain? I'm dumb. :D

There is an important difference.
If the giveaway creator posts a referral, then HE will (might) get some money out of this.
When the giveaway creator uses sgtools, sgtools will (might) get some money out of this.

The spirit of the rule is probably that they don't want the giveaway creator to make a profit/money by doing a giveaway.
If you use sgtools to make your giveaway, some money is made by sgtools, but not by you, so that's ok.

I'm not saying the rules are good (and I don't really care tbh) but they are consistent.

Thank you for sponsoring links GA =]

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thread bump!