# Strange link behaviour from SDMB **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 4, 2011, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-link-behaviour-from-sdmb/584300 "2011-06-04T11:37:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-link-behaviour-from-sdmb/584300/1 "2011-06-04T11:37:28Z")
I’ve noticed twice in the last couple of days that when I clicked a link on the SDMB, it seemed to go through a link tracking service or other before resolving to the URL. I suspect that this may something to do with my broadband provider (Virgin Media) as the interim URL begins with a “v” (it has happened too fast for me to note the full domain name), and because when I viewed source on the SDMB page, the link appeared as-seen when it resolved. Although, this itself seems a bit odd since I have changed my DNS settings to the Google DNS servers at 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 - unless there’s some sort of ISP override happening. I’m also doing a full scan with Malwarebytes and Avast just in case there’s some kind of tracking malware on my computer. But just on the offchance that this is in fact a ‘feature’ of the SDMB, I thought I’d ask. Is it? And if it isn’t, does anyone have any theories (I am also entertaining the possibility that it’s a hallucination as I don’t seem to be able to replicate the behaviour now). Does an ISP DNS override of this sort even exist? I’m not using my ISP’s connection software or anything. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-link-behaviour-from-sdmb/584300/2 "2011-06-04T11:48:02Z")
OK, I’m not going mad - it’s “[viglink](http://www.viglink.com/)”, which apparently is “The easiest way to monetize your content”. Searching the SDMB I found [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=608769) reporting the same thing, and it looks like it’s caused by in-page ads hijacking links every so often. Weird thing is, though, I’m a paid-up member. I’m not meant to get any ads. Anyone got any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![leander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@leander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leander)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-link-behaviour-from-sdmb/584300/3 "2011-06-04T12:40:37Z")
From [here](http://www.viglink.com/support/faq): > [@](#): > > Will my users notice? Should I disclose it? > > Most users do not notice on their own although we highly recommend you disclose it. VigLink does not change the user experience one bit. No links are inserted or removed on the page, there are no double-underlines or pop-ups, and mousing over a link looks “clean.” > > The US Federal Trade Commission requires that you disclose use of affiliate links. [More information and tools](http://www.viglink.com/policies/ftc)are available. > > Even if you are not subject to FTC jurisdiction, we strongly recommend you disclose. Our customers have found that readers are completely understanding if they are informed and can be upset if they are surprised. Informing your users will give those who desire it the opportunity to permanently [opt-out](http://www.viglink.com/optout). Although VigLink is unintrusive, it is easily detectable by savvy users. Not sure why TPTB haven’t disclosed this yet or if they are in violation of the FTC… ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-link-behaviour-from-sdmb/584300/4 "2011-06-04T13:04:16Z")
I have no objection to the practice, by the way. In fact I think I even suggested something in the past like an Amazon affiliate account for the SDMB that would append the account ID to any Amazon links, thus generating revenue. Just would like to know that it’s happening. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-link-behaviour-from-sdmb/584300/5 "2011-06-04T13:24:51Z")
> [@leander](#): > > Not sure why TPTB haven’t disclosed this yet or if they are in violation of the FTC… They disclosed it a long time ago. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-link-behaviour-from-sdmb/584300/6 "2011-06-04T13:32:30Z")
Sorry. Forgot the links. [Thread where Ed says he is trying out Driving Revenue](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=561258). [Article pointing out that Viglink bought out Driving Revenue.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=561258) ---
**Author:** ![leander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@leander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leander)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-link-behaviour-from-sdmb/584300/7 "2011-06-04T13:33:49Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > They disclosed it a long time ago. I stand corrected. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-link-behaviour-from-sdmb/584300/8 "2011-06-04T13:40:27Z")
Also, here’s the Viglink [opt out button](http://www.viglink.com/support/optout). It won’t stop the redirect, but it’s legally required to not count you. I’d expect NoScript or YesScript to completely block them, but I notice that mine does not list a viglink script as existing on these pages. So my guess is that a member shouldn’t see them. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-link-behaviour-from-sdmb/584300/9 "2011-06-04T13:46:46Z")
My bad. It’s because I’m using Adblock. That’s why I became a member, so I wouldn’t’ feel bad about not shutting off adblock. I’m guessing there is a technical reason why they can’t disable it for members. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-link-behaviour-from-sdmb/584300/10 "2011-06-04T13:49:14Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > They disclosed it a long time ago. Fair enough. My apologies to TPTB for insinuating that we hadn’t been told. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-link-behaviour-from-sdmb/584300/11 "2011-06-04T14:13:49Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > Fair enough. My apologies to TPTB for insinuating that we hadn’t been told. I still think it would have been a good idea to mention that the URL had changed. I just forgive them for probably not noticing.