What is the Kickback Section in the sidebar?

Usually ‘Google Ads’. I call them “Kickback Ads” because if you click on it – along with maybe 999 other people – I get a penny (or some strange ratio like that).

A lot of people don’t really understand them. I’m pretty internet savvy but I didn’t get them for a long time either, so I hope to make it easier for others that share my anxiety about accidentally clicking away my life savings. You can keep this info in mind for all websites you visit.

I am not asking you to click on them, but don’t be afraid of them whatever website you are on. Even if you click them they don’t bite, and if you are interested in their product – often they are special deal offers – you get the same deal for the same price and if there is any commission for the site owner (me) it comes out of the product seller’s pocket, the purchase price for the customer (you) is the same.

Those kinds of links are all over the internet now, some sites are smothered in them. I used to hate them and never clicked on them because I thought I was going to be paying the extra fees or being put at risk for something. Now I understand them I realize I am just helping somebody get a little pay-off, after all s/he put it there for me to access anyway… that was helpful. So that’s that part of it.

Also I have some links on pages that are “Affiliate” links. Which means I could get some kind of commission if you click on it and buy their product. For example there will be one somewhere for “Corel Paint Shop Pro” software because I like it and bought it myself. It’s what I use to create stickers. They give a 10% ‘kickback’ and if you did buy it at the same price as me, I could make $3 +/- … which is my way of saying that I scored a super app at major discount that is much easier to learn than “PhotoShop” and it more than does the job with the stickers. By the way Photoshop is an excellent program but way too technical for me to take the time to learn.

That’s all the links really are, ignore them if you like, but now you know they aren’t dangerous. I just thought I was being so cheeky and clever with the genuine section-title.

Same with a “Donate” link or you may come across, even if you click it by accident it still has stages to go through with cancellation opportunities. On the other hand, if what I’m doing here makes you feel warm and fuzzy, you could chip in for my rice and beans tonight to help build this support resource for our community (PayPal donations will bill as “The Cosmic Edge”). But you can feel comfortable ignoring that button too if you like, no worries I’m cool with it; I’ll feel warm and fuzzy if you just get something useful from this site.

There are other ways to donate, like commenting, feedback, or writing a Wiki article at the sister website “TheMissingWiki.com.

Thanks for listening.