The question of whether or not MySpace can be used to promote a business is certainly debatable. MySpace is
intended to be a non-commercial website by nature but there is a difference between blatant commercialization
and mentioning a product or service you offer and providing a link as a useful resource to visitors of your
website. This article will take a look at the opportunities to promote a business on MySpace by providing
information on determining whether or not your method of business promotion is permitted on MySpace and information
on how to promote your business without being accused of spamming MySpace.
Review the Terms of Service Carefully
The terms of service provided by MySpace can provide the greatest insight into whether or not there are ways to
promote your business through MySpace. Members of MySpace are asked to review the terms of service before becoming
a member. Each member should carefully read through this entire agreement to come to a better understanding of which
types of activities are allowed on MySpace as well as which types of activities are prohibited.
One of the stipulations of MySpace reads as follows, “Non-commercial Use by Members. The MySpace Services are for
the personal use of Members only and may not be used in connection with any commercial endeavors except those that
are specifically endorsed or approved by MySpace.com. Illegal and/or unauthorized use of the MySpace Services,
including collecting usernames and/or email addresses of Members by electronic or other means for the purpose of
sending unsolicited email or unauthorized framing of or linking to the MySpace Website is prohibited. Commercial
advertisements, affiliate links, and other forms of solicitation may be removed from Member profiles without notice
and may result in termination of Membership privileges. Appropriate legal action will be taken for any illegal or
unauthorized use of the MySpace Services.”
Links to your ecommerce website integrated into your MySpace website isn’t considered spamming. Depending on how it is
used it may not even be considered advertising, and therefore prohibited, by MySpace administrators. However, visiting
other MySpace websites and placing a link to your ecommerce website on each website you visit would be considered spam.
These individuals may or may not be interested in the website you provide but even if they are interested sending these
links to numerous websites unsolicited, it is often considered to be spam.
Care must be taken to avoid being considered spam. Even when posting a bulletin, you must avoid outright advertising.
You may just inform people to look at your blog or website if there is something that may be of interest to them and
not considered just advertising. You can include links to a blog and have advertising placed there, so driving traffic
to your blog wouldn't necessisarily be spam.