I often link my own articles which I do get paid in page views for.. as sources. I'm not sure that is an affiliate link exactly but, same concept.

I think it's ethical as long as the link is relevant to the question. I'm providing a link back to where I got the information I provided, it shouldn't matter if that information came from me. It's sort of like saying "personal experience". I also do it because generally my anwser don't include all the information the article does, kind of a.. for more information.. type deal. To me this benefits the questioner and me.

Now if for example if I just threw a link to one of my articles that had nothing to do with the question as a source for any question I answered.. that would be unethical. I'm also betting it would get me banned from Mahalo eventually.

Another example is say someone asks a question about uh.. web content sites and I recommend one that does referral codes and I get a bonus for inviting, again I don't see linking my own referral code as unethical. I would probably include that it was a referral link, but signing up under a referral link doesn't hurt the person signing up so again I can't see how that could be wrong.

Overall Mahalo seems pretty good at catching spammers that are not ethically using affiliate links.

So long answer short, if the link is some how relevant to the question being asked, perfectly ethical.

(I hope my understanding of what an affiliate link is, is correct or my entire answer makes no sense lol)
Permalink | Report

Yes!
Mahalo is about expanding horizons - letting others know. As long as something is public domain and it is only a matter of time somebody finds it via 'you know how' - let Mahalo users point it out.
Permalink | Report

First of all, it is not permitted by Mahalo!
Now, as far as ethics is concerned, it is ethical as long as you are not trying to cheat somebody or not trying to support a scam. If it points to some information such as news, journals, articles etc. I think it is ethical. Thanks
Permalink | Report