What is allowed in Shopspotting and what isn’t?
Honest recommendations clearly labelled as advertising are allowed: in conversation, in your own content, in a newsletter to subscribers, in workshops or in communities whose rules permit it. The prohibited methods include ads on the name “Merchavio”, messages without consent, fake clicks, unapproved coupons, income promises and self-referral. The partner terms are binding.
How do I label advertising correctly?
Label every ad for Merchavio so it is clearly recognisable at first glance, with a word such as “Ad” or “Advertisement”. The label
- sits directly next to the link, or at the very start of a post, video or stream,
- is in the language of the ad, so “Ad” in an English post and “Werbung” in a German one,
- is visible on all devices, including phones.
A word like “partner link” or an unexplained asterisk is not enough on its own.
What can I say about Merchavio?
Anything that is true, current and verifiable. State prices, features, trials and promotions exactly as they appear on merchavio.com and update your posts when they change. Present your own experience as your own.
You also comply with the regulations in your country and your audience’s countries. If an ad breaches the terms, Merchavio can ask you to change or remove it within a reasonable period. On request, you tell Merchavio where you advertise.
Which methods are prohibited?
The partner terms list twelve prohibited methods, a to l, summed up here:
Ads and the Merchavio name (a to c)
No ads in search engines or social networks on search terms containing “Merchavio”, including typos, variants or combinations such as “Merchavio login”, in any match type. Add “Merchavio” as a negative keyword. The name stays out of the ad text and displayed URL, and paid ad traffic doesn’t go straight to merchavio.com. Also off limits: domains, profile names, app names or accounts containing “Merchavio” or a confusingly similar spelling, and any impression that you are Merchavio, belong to it or act for it, such as “official support” or “Merchavio team”.
Clicks and technology (d, e)
No forced or fake clicks: only a conscious click counts, not invisible frames, pop-unders, automatic redirects, hidden links or scripts. No browser extensions or programs that insert links automatically or overwrite other people’s attributions.
Coupons and incentives (f, j)
Only publish coupon codes Merchavio has expressly given you in text form; expired, internal or invented codes are prohibited. Money, coupons, discounts or other benefits for people who sign up through your link require Merchavio’s prior consent in text form. “Free setup if you sign up through my link” is such a benefit too.
Messages (g)
No emails, direct messages, texts, comments or posts without the recipients’ prior consent, and no purchased or third-party address lists.
Promises and reviews (h)
No promises of income or success, no invented or purchased reviews or testimonials, no reviews of your own that aren’t recognisable as such, no false scarcity or time pressure and no disparaging of competitors.
Self-referral (i)
Don’t use your link to sign up yourself, accounts with the same payment methods or other accounts that are economically yours, or accounts created just to trigger commission. These earn no commission.
Environments and mass content (k, l)
No advertising in or next to illegal, discriminatory, violence-glorifying or pornographic content or content harmful to minors, or in offers aimed at minors. No pages, posts or comments mass-produced automatically or with AI mainly to place links either.
What happens after a violation?
Breaching the rules on labelling and statements or the prohibited methods is a material breach of contract. Merchavio responds step by step:
- a notice in text form with a deadline to fix it, usually 7 days,
- no commission for signups and payments based on the violation,
- a temporary suspension of your account and payouts while the case is examined, for at most 60 days,
- termination with immediate effect,
- recovery of commission already paid out based on the violation; claims for damages are reserved.
For fraud, fake clicks, posing as Merchavio, self-referral or serious or repeated violations, Merchavio can skip steps. Every measure comes in text form with reasons; you can object. If your participation ends because of a violation, only the commission from the affected transactions lapses.
Which routes are allowed?
Within these rules, plenty is allowed, always labelled as advertising:
- Recommendations to your clients and network, also in conversation
- Your own content: blog, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram or podcast
- Your newsletter to people who subscribed to it
- Workshops, webinars and collaborations
- Helpful posts in communities whose rules allow recommendations, without link spam
- Ads on general search terms that lead to your own content (ads as a Shopspotter)
If you also support your sellers, you can charge your own fees, as long as none of it is tied to signing up through your link; see supporting your sellers.
Where are the binding rules?
This page sums up the rules for Shopspotters in plain language and is not legal advice. The partner terms on merchavio.com are binding, in particular sections 5 to 7. If in doubt, take the cautious option. Ready to begin? See how to start as a Shopspotter.
Know people who sell online?
Then create your free Shopspotter account with Merchavio and share your link. You receive 25% of everything your sellers pay, every month.