CANCELLED Giveaways: HUNT SHOWDOWN; ARK: SURVIVAL EVOLVED; FULL THROTTLE.

Avoid using link shorteners, as they obscure the destination of the link, making it difficult for users to know what they're clicking.

While exceptions are made for reasonable circumstances (such as obscuring links for the sake of puzzles) site guidelines [quoted above] do actively discourage link shortening. Of course, there's a more grounded reason to avoid obscuring link destinations; With something like puzzles, it's understood that exclusionary elements are part of the process, but it's counter-productive to include such elements when your intent is to encourage inclusion (ie, when promoting something). Given that obscuring links in such situations is so clearly detrimental, links obscured in such circumstances would only amplify any feelings of suspicion users may have on the matter.

Personally, I'd consider the best approach to be posting the link as http://giveaways.indiebob.live Code: [http://giveaways.indiebob.live](https://steamcommunity.com/groups/IndieBob/discussions/0/613948093887994007/), thus achieving all three goals of (Not obscuring the direct link, spreading the shorthand link, and shortening the length of the link within the post). You'd probably still get the occasional skeptical comment from users who don't look too closely at the link with that method, however.

It's links to a post on the steam group required to enter the giveaways.

Recruiting members to your Steam group is not the same as redirecting Net traffic to one of your web pages (giveaways.indiebob.live). It is your redirection to giveaways.indiebob.live that is apparently in violation. Had you simply used the link to your Steam group, there would not have been an issue.

The SteamGifts' giveaway system is intended to provide its users with a working raffle system they may use to conduct giveaways. As an additional service, we provide the Steam Group Recruitment sub-forum for the purpose of recruiting members to a user's Steam Group. All other "advertising" is restricted to giveaway descriptions. Despite that, you have repeatedly attempted to steer traffic to and through other websites, presumably for your own benefit. Such an action would be in direct violation of SG Guidelines.

• When posting links or content, that content should not force users, encourage users through reward, or primarily exist as a traffic source for users to perform an action for promotional, commercial, or monetary benefit. Such actions include but are not limited to clicking a referral link, liking a Facebook page, following a Twitter account, joining a Steam group, completing a survey, or making a donation. (Please note, in giveaway descriptions we do allow users and developers to link to their related Steam Greenlight, group, and store pages, as well as their social media channels. Users are also able to reference their group giveaways when posting in the Group Recruitment category of our forum.)

If you are truly unwilling to adhere to our policies and rules while using our site, I suggest you find another more in line with what you wish to accomplish. If you feel this is all "an honest mistake," then you need to clarify your intent and comply with our rules as soon as possible.