Hey hey, y’all! Last week Facebook and Instagram made some API changes so I figured it would be a good time to talk about some of the ways to shop my outfits if you’re following along on Instagram. While outlining the post, I realized I’ve never really talked in depth about affiliate links and how I use them.
You Asked! All About Affiliate Links, API Changes, & New Way to Shop Click To Tweet{This post may contain affiliate and/or referral links. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link in this post. Thank you for your support of What Nicole Wore.}
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You Asked! All About Affiliate Links & New Way to Shop | The API Changes
If you follow current events, you probably know that Facebook has been taking a lot of flack for information that third party platforms accessed and shared with other companies. As a result, they’ve really cut down on third party apps that access certain data on both Facebook and Instagram. While this has a huge impact on the tech world, it also impacts some blogger tools, such as LIKEtoKNOWit.
Recent API changes have huge impacts on the tech world but here's some they have on bloggers: Click To TweetRELATED: Americana: Star Spangled Dress
You Asked! All About Affiliate Links & New Way to Shop | The LIKEtoKNOWit Updates
Prior to last week if you were signed up for LIKEtoKNOWit, you could receive affiliate links to outfit details if you liked an enabled photo on Instagram. Going forward this isn’t the case. The EASIEST way to shop my Instagram posts is to head to my Shop My Instagram page. There you can select the photo you want to shop and all of the products, exact or similar, will pop up for you to shop. If you have the LIKEtoKNOWit app and prefer shopping that way, you can follow me @whatnicolewore to get links or screenshot any Instagram post and open the app.
Sharing the EASIEST way to shop my Instagram posts! Click To Tweet
You Asked! All About Affiliate Links & New Way to Shop | What’s An Affiliate Link?
More than likely, you’ve encountered a salesperson that works on commission; think of affiliate links as the digital version of “did someone help you shop today?” When someone shops through one of my affiliate links, I receive a percentage of the sale kind of as a credit for facilitating the purchase. Shopping through affiliate links doesn’t cost any extra to the consumer and can even direct brands towards bloggers that they should work with.
RELATED: What a Day of Blogging Looks Like + Biggest Misconceptions
You Asked! All About Affiliate Links & New Way to Shop | How Do I Know?
Some people are troubled by affiliate links as they use cookies to track whether you make a purchase. Cookies are apart of most websites so be aware that this is something you’ll have on your computer whether you shop through a blogger, a Buzzfeed top XYZ products list, or straight from a retailer. I try to be pretty transparent when I use affiliate links; on What Nicole Wore, I include a disclaimer at the top of each post that includes affiliate or referral links. If you follow along on Facebook, you’ll see that I bracket [affiliate] before sharing the link and on Instagram stories I have a graphic that says “swipe up for affiliate link.”
How I Disclose Affiliate Links & How They're Used By More Than Bloggers: Click To TweetRELATED: Behind the Scenes of Blogging: What Goes Into a Blog Post
When I first learned about affiliate links {before I started blogging} I was kind of freaked out by these tracking links that I didn’t know about. As such, I try to be very clear when I’m sharing affiliate links although, I can at times forget.
You Asked! All About Affiliate Links & New Way to Shop | Other FAQ About Affiliate Links
Do you only use affiliate links? No! Affiliate programs typically work with large retailers; usually when I work with boutiques or other local shops, there’s no commission system in place.
Are affiliate links abused? Everyone has different business practices, but in short yes, there are bloggers that don’t disclose affiliate links.
How long do affiliate links track? It varies platform to platform; I have not seen one that tracks more than 30 days.
The FAQs you have about affiliate links and API changes. Click To TweetYou Asked! All About Affiliate Links & New Way to Shop | Why Affiliate Links Aren’t My Largest Focus
Is this how you make most of your blogging income? Nope – it’s a nice bonus to receive an affiliate check, but I’ve found that relying on sales commission can be unreliable and also puts pressure on me to sell, sell, sell. It’s always exciting when someone comments that they tried something at my recommendation and loved it but I really started What Nicole Wore with the hope of creating an inclusive community for style savvy and beauty loving women.
Blogging is more than affiliate links, free products, and cool perks. More about my community: Click To TweetRELATED: How I Want to Grow This Year
It’s easy to sometimes get caught up in the business side of blogging, but I try to regularly step back and remember my why and the passion I have for encouraging women to live their best lives. Without getting super long winded, living your best life looks different for each of us; that could mean getting a new wardrobe each season, living frugally to pay off student loans early, setting aside a certain amount of each paycheck so that you can go on your dream vacation…the list goes on. Don’t let me, or any other blogger or person for that matter, tell you how to best live your life – it looks different for each of us.
You Asked! All About Affiliate Links & New Way to Shop | This Gingham on Gingham Look
I’m all about high waisted shorts; they’re so flattering and I love that they’re typically a bit longer too. {Anyone else reached that stage of life where you hold up jean shorts like, “where is the rest of these?”} These come in blue and red making them the perfect option for gamedays! Of course since I love gingham, I pulled out this gingham clutch as well.
SHOP THE POST | You Asked! All About Affiliate Links & New Way to Shop
This post is full of good information.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge (which is power) with us readers.
Also, that background of your photos, is one of my favorite colors!
I love this post. I always disclose affiliate links, too, because I thought we had to? I generally just share things that I love or items I’ve found that are good deals. I try to keep everything super budget-friendly, especially since we live in a state with such a low average income. I admit I use links more frequently than I ever have before because it’s nice to have the boost in income (especially since my pension/income are such a mess right now!), but I still try to mix it up. Sorry for being so long-winded…
Ready to wear my high-waisted shorts! Thanks for the tech run-down!
That is totally a great way to put it with affiliate links… like a sales person helping you shop. Perfect explanation.
I am obsessed with Gingham! Those shorts are too cute!!
http://www.thesweetestclementine.com
Great, detailed information. Thank you for sharing Nicole
http://www.stylediarybyosy.com/
I love the gingham on gingham look you created for this outfit! So cute!
Lee | LegalLee Blonde
Great post! There’s a lot to learn with blogging and post like these are very helpful. Love your shorts and your clutch! Such pretty pieces!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
Such a cute outfit! Love thee shorts
Edwige | http://www.hypnozglam.com