User talk:24.5.69.164

Link Spamming

Dear IP 24.5.69.164, welcome to Wikipedia, and thank you for your interest in contributing to articles. However, please read the whole page at WP:LINKSPAM, where you will see that if you are just adding the same links to many pages they will likely all be removed. You may not not add information or links to sites where you are involved personally. If your information there is truth, and it is noteworthy, then you just have to trust that popular media will pick it up and comment on it, and then other Wikipedia editors (not you) will include it in the article. Good editing! --Tom Hulse (talk) 05:52, 7 January 2012 (UTC)

Hi. Thanks for the note but I think you are mistaken. The WP:LINKSPAM says: "The Adding external links to an article or user page for the purpose of promoting a website or a product is not allowed, and is considered to be spam." But the link I added, and you removed was not for the purpose of promoting a website or a product, it was used as a reference for the herb in question, specifically adding the information about how its also used to support the immune system though liver and lung support. 24.5.69.164 (talk) 22:58, 9 January 2012 (UTC)

Hello, and thanks for your reply. Please read Wikipedia:Conflict of interest. One of the great things about Wikipedia is the great record it keeps of every single edit, and how open they are for all to see. Often individuals who wish to promote themselves, or their site, or their cause think they can anonymously use Wikipedia as a self-promotion tool to get their links out and drive traffic to their site, thinking there is no way for anyone to prove that they are acting in their own interest instead of from a Neutral point of view (please also read that page). In your case however, tools such as your User Contributions page shows you are trolling through Wikipedia almost exclusively to add links to your for-profit website, nutritionreview.org. I assume your name is Jim English? Your IP address is coming from exactly the same spot as Nutrition Review's/Jim English's home address in San Francisco. Perhaps you are just Jim's neighbor, and are so fond of his website that the only edits you add are links to his site, lol? Jim I like your site, I might spend some time visiting there, but you have to understand that you and none who are connected to you may add any links or references to your site. You must self-promote somewhere else. Please though, do consider beginning to contribute in a meaningful way that in no way is connected to yourself. You might start adding content & references from reputable, peer-reviewed books first though (tons availabe online through Google books on the subjects that interest you. Please no more web sites or self-published articles though. Thanks! --Tom Hulse (talk) 07:19, 10 January 2012 (UTC)

Hi Tom. Thanks for the explanation. I am not Jim English. I do live in San Francisco, and I do know Jim English. Yes, he lives in SF also, but its a drive away, so not exactly in the same location. However, he does have a show room in Noe Valley where they have herbal products, and information. Is this still a conflict of interest? Jim English has been writing about herbs since the 1990's, and the site I linked to was his online resource site for information about herbs and his articles. I would not link to any site where they actually sell products. That would be a different site: www.puretango.com The Nutrition Review site I have used does not link to his sale site and does not mention any of the products he sells. It's strictly information about herbs, and related articles. I don't want to violate any rules, so I do appreciate your advise. I am new to Wikipedia and this is an area of interest for me. I'll take your advise and use other sources, peer reviewed textbooks, as well. But, if you want me to stop using links to NR, I will comply. Thanks again for your advise. 24.5.69.164 (talk) 20:29, 10 January 2012 (UTC)