Will Affiliate Links Disqualify You From Being Medium Curated?

My article on multi-monitor setup was chosen for further distribution, and it has a few affiliate links.

As a Medium writer, I have some questions as I move forward in my journey here. Do I keep on submitting articles to different publications? Sometimes rejection still stings.

Do I first need to become a great writer? I solved that one and chose to write and become great in time.

Do I find other ways to earn on Medium instead of relying on the Medium Partner Program?

Do I strive to be Medium curated all the time?

And finally, can I start adding my affiliate links inside my stories?

Medium Curation — Chosen for Further Distribution

When I was starting, it was a goal, and until now, it gives me a sense of accomplishment when I see that my story has been curated.

But by now, everyone who has been curated knows that it does nothing to your stats. It doesn’t help your story gain traction with the readers.

And trying to break the Medium algorithm will only me waste time, time that can be more productively used in writing more stories.

There are rules that, as a Medium writer, we have to follow. Again, we are not forced by anyone to write here. There are things one can’t do. But one thing that we can do is add our affiliate links to our stories.

Affiliate Links: Are they allowed?

You must disclose affiliate links or payment for a post. Affiliate links, such as link out to Amazon with your code, or any other link out where you will receive a commission or other value, are allowed in posts. But, you must disclose somewhere in the post that it includes affiliate links. If you have received payment, goods or services, or something else of value in exchange for writing a post, you must still disclose this fact in writing within your post (as FTC Rules and Guides, and Medium Rules require).

Distribution disqualifications

Stories that contain any of the disqualifications below will not be considered for additional distribution.

Content that violates Medium’s Rules, including:

Violations of Ad-Free Medium

This includes unacceptable embeds, images, and promotions.

Technically speaking, adding affiliate links in your stories is not only allowed but also doesn’t disqualify you from being chosen for further distribution. It doesn’t violate the ad-free Medium policy.

I tried it with my article about my being a single monitor kind of guy with a few Amazon affiliate links, but I have to emphasize the importance of disclosure as it is also a rule by the FTC.

An affiliate disclosure lets your readers know that you are being compensated by the companies whose products you mention in your content. — Termly

Disclosure Sample Statement

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

After it was published, I saw the magic words in my stats, “Chosen for further distribution,” under the topic of productivity.

Takeaway

As a Medium writer, I have to keep in mind I have to be responsible to my audience. I have to respect their time and their money. Let us not forget we get a share of their subscription fees.

And as long we write articles of good quality, Medium doesn’t mind that we make extra money as long as it is not spammy and hurt the overall reading experience of the Medium reader.

As writers, let us not forget that we are readers too. One way to check if our story is of any value is to pretend to be on the other side.

If your story was written by someone else and you feel that the story is of little value, clickbait headlines, and affiliate links.

Wouldn’t you feel robbed of your time as a reader?

As to the affiliate links, do they work? Yes, I see clicks on the Amazon affiliate panel. Will they translate to sales and commission, that my friend is something I will share in another story if it happens.