What mistakes should a Shopspotter avoid?

Here you see what typical mistakes look like in practice and which habit prevents them. The rules themselves are explained in the overview of what is allowed in Shopspotting.

Mistakes with labels and claims

1. Not labelling the ad properly

• What happens: The article only says “partner link*” at the bottom, or the video mentions it at the end.
• Why it hurts: The label belongs right next to the link or at the start, in the language of the ad and visible on every device. An asterisk is not enough.
• Instead: Put “Ad” next to every link and say it at the start of a video, episode or stream.

2. Promising more than is true

• What happens: “You’ll sell twice as much with this”, “Moving takes one click” or “The checkout works out your VAT”.
• Why it hurts: Promises of success are prohibited, and the rest is wrong: the import (beta) is only a starting point, and there is no automatic tax calculation at checkout.
• Instead: Say what Merchavio does and where work remains. An honest process is in helping sellers switch to Merchavio.

3. Advertising with old prices

• What happens: An older post quotes prices or trials that merchavio.com no longer shows.
• Why it hurts: Statements about Merchavio must be true and current. What used to be right is now a false claim.
• Instead: Add the date, for example “Starter €19 a month net, as of October 2026”, and review such posts regularly. Tips are in Shopspotting with a blog and SEO.

Mistakes in how you reach people

4. Sending ads nobody asked for

• What happens: A connection request saying “Heard of Merchavio? Here’s my link”, a mass email to contacts without consent or a promotional comment under other people’s posts.
• Why it hurts: Messages, comments and posts without the recipients’ prior consent are prohibited, and so are bought or third-party lists.
• Instead: Let people come to you through your own content, conversations, workshops and a newsletter for subscribers. More in how to find sellers.

5. Using referred sellers’ data for advertising

• What happens: Your Shopspotter area shows that a seller is still on the trial, so you offer them your setup service. Or you pass the list on.
• Why it hurts: The details about your sellers may only be used to check your statements, not for advertising and not to pass on.
• Instead: Make your offer known where everyone sees it: in your content and in conversation.

6. Tying perks to the signup

• What happens: “Use my link and I’ll set up your shop for free” or a discount code you made up.
• Why it hurts: Perks for signing up through your link need Merchavio’s prior consent in text form, and coupon codes must come from Merchavio in text form.
• Instead: Your offer is the same for everyone, link or no link. More in supporting your sellers.

Mistakes with your link, name and accounts

7. Forgetting the link

• What happens: After the conversation, the person looks up Merchavio and signs up directly. Or they decline cookies and sign up the next day.
• Why it hurts: Only signups through your link count, and without cookie consent only in the same visit. No account is reassigned afterwards.
• Instead: Share the labelled link as soon as someone wants to try it. More in how the Shopspotter link works.

8. “Merchavio” in ads, profiles or domains

• What happens: A search ad on “Merchavio reviews” or a profile called “merchavio.tips”.
• Why it hurts: Ads on search terms containing “Merchavio” are prohibited, typos included, and so are such names and domains and any appearance as “official support”.
• Instead: Use your own name and only run ads on general terms that lead to your content: ads as a Shopspotter.

9. Referring yourself

• What happens: You open your own shop through your link or create an account just for the commission.
• Why it hurts: It is prohibited and earns nothing. Merchavio may skip steps such as the notice with a deadline, up to termination.
• Instead: Create your own shop without your link. Your clients create their own accounts, with their own email, payment method and Stripe account.

What if something goes wrong anyway?

If you spot a mistake, fix it at once: add the label, correct the price, stop the ad. Keep a list of the places where you advertise Merchavio, because Merchavio can ask for them. After a violation, Merchavio responds step by step. The first step is a notice in text form with a deadline to fix it, usually 7 days. Every measure comes with reasons, and you can object. More in what happens after a violation.

Your next step

The binding version is the partner terms. How to get started is shown in how to start as a Shopspotter.

Become a Shopspotter