ADF.LY - A poor modding practice - PLEASE READ

good tread. more to say if you using some addons that disable ads or other hooks it's mean that the site doesn't count you click and there is no money for a modder. so this makes adfly links more useless: there are only 2 ways - accept all this malicious stuff and get the mod and the chance to be attacked or use some protection software and take no profit to modder. previously I even turned the addblock off on this link to support modders. now I'm staying away from mods with adfly links. I appreciate all the titanic work that modders doing for the community but my safety is much more important.

Great points.

1. Someone who uses an adblock type feature which bypasses the adfly link, doesn't count as a click for the modder, therefore it doesn't count as a click towards money

2. Previous user stated that using an adblock type feature often times doesn't allow them to download the mod, because it will not allow the user to get to the final download page (because they often times HAVE to go through the ad page to get to the download link, which WAS EXACTLY what happened to me)

3. Safety is more important

The "YOU ARE BEING TRACKED" messages, and viruses/malware, are scary as hell. Especially in this day and age where your information can be compromised at every turn.

I recently had my identity stolen and someone ordered an IPHONE from AT&T with it (Used my SSN, address, etc). They had AT&T do a hard pull of my credit (Which impacted my credit score), and had the IPHONE delivered to an alternate address in the same town I live in. The scammers intercepted the package and I got the AT&T bill for the phone and the plan. They probably sold the phone after intercepting it (It was $1100). My credit was impacted, and I had to put fraud alerts on all 3 credit bureaus (Transunion, Equifax, and Experian)

You guys who use these links act like it's an innocent practice, it's not. These services are tracking users, and as stated prior putting viruses/malware/adware on computers. Having your identity stolen is very similar to getting your house broken into, it's scary and it makes you feel vulnerable. That person out there still has my information.

I had a co worker recently who had a department store card compromised and someone ordered like 2k worth of stuff.

I know you modders who work hard want to make a few bucks, but you need to think about the issues, danger, and stress it causes other people.

^^ Great points Dee. However, most will continue to use these ad sites, frankly because they don't care if it screws up someone's computer. I had to pay the price, pretty sure others have as well. It's every man for himself mentality, and if I make a few coins in the process, so be it.

^^ Great points Dee. However, most will continue to use these ad sites, frankly because they don't care if it screws up someone's computer. I had to pay the price, pretty sure others have as well. It's every man for himself mentality, and if I make a few coins in the process, so be it.

This is the biggest thing. It’s often a select group of modders that use it. They don’t care about community or how it will effect another’s computer. You’re never going to convince someone who mods for money that ad-links should be removed. It’ll have to be something forced upon them via forum rule change.

I disagree, this thread can and will make some modders think twice, as the thread has already gotten a decent amount of attention. We already got Deibys to remove adfly from his preview videos, that's one success story on top of what could be others.

A "nothing can be done about it" approach, or "They will just keep doing it", doesn't mean that we shouldn't be loud voicing our concerns about it. New modders coming onto the scene may read this thread and think twice about using them, and just using donation links instead. I plan on doing this same thread for the next releases.

Just like feedback about a video game, we should make our voices heard if something is frustrating us, or if we like something, or if we think the company should go into a certain direction, etc.

Many members here have been getting on modders over the last few years about the ad link issue, Shuajota AND 2kspecialist both got rid of them after all of the complaining. Remember, both of them were pummeling people with those ads to start out, so the outcry WORKED (And Shuajota knows how much I appreciated that)Proof has already been shown that people can turn it around and be better participants in the community.

The more people come in here and state how frustrated they are with the ad links (and how it has impacted them negatively) the stronger the case is.

Fully respect this thread. The issue has taken a disastrous turn and most times I find myself not even downloading some stuff. In this liberal world where everything is me, me, me, not surprising we have taken this "anti-community" approach.

I haven't been active here in a while and I am no saint myself. Back at the end of my 2K14 modding phase, I started using such sites and even had a pay-per cyberface group in Facebook. After a while and numerous problems I realised one thing: no only is it completly illegal to profit from modifying copyrighted materials from a company (2K), it is also completly selfish to force users to pay directly or indireclty for your mods. I would have been a "nobody" if R4Z0R's tutorial had been behind a pay wall.

Tip: having a donation button is a really good way to entice people who recognise your work to use it. What you'll be getting with adlfy or donations is pennies on the dollar compared to what you can earn with a shitty job being 18 or 19. Having the two options, I think it is better to choose the one where money is coming out of the kindness of people's heart and not putting their computers at risk: after all, without the community and users who praise our works, we would be useless.

PD: I came 1 year late to 2K14 modding, and after 3 years of modding and quite a handful downloads (2K14-Old Gen PC was quite popular, NLSC these recent years hasn't had the amount of activity that forum had) I think I made a total of 10$. So no, it was not even worth it back then, I doubt it is now.

EDIT: checked my adlfy account. 20,135 downloads led to 7,27$.

Respect

checked my adlfy account. 20,135 downloads led to 7,27$.

and from Paypal ?

Big-Shot-Rob, great post. Thanks for breaking it down and being honest.

Your $7 for 20k clicks is roughly what I heard from other modders in the past. And 20K clicks is a lot, honestly.

People who use adfly and other ad sites, please read the entirety of this thread.

Respect

checked my adlfy account. 20,135 downloads led to 7,27$.

and from Paypal ?

Somewhere around 170$, though I returned 90$ to a guy who paid 100$ upfront with me having completed just 1 cyberface of the ones he asked. That led to PayPal freezing my account and someone calling me to discover if I was doing some kind of economic activity. I was young back then, and I got scared (because what I was doing was clearly illegal here in Spain at least). After half-convincing them it was just a bet-and-pay game between friends on NBA matches, I was able to witdraw 50$ and I asked them to close my account.

Today I did a robotics workshop of 60 minutes to a highschool class that got me paid more than those 50$ I got from private requests. And I used to take way more than 60m to finish a 8$ private request. If you want to get paid and you're young, just get a part-time job to a near bar or coffeshop. It'll pay more and you'll gain quite some experience. Trying to squeeze any minimal profit out of modding is just not worth it. And it hurts the community.

so donations were/are definitly better for you.
Thank you for your transparency

just when i started using ad... my 2018 earnings from 1 adlink just for 4 months... doubled my earnings during my releases on 2019. thanks to this little by little i was able to upgrade...
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Last edited by RKJ2k on Fri Nov 15, 2019 1:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

But from my understanding, you are not just on the NLSC. You were on the Chinese sites, facebook group or groups, moddingway, etc.

How many clicks did it take for you to get to that total? (How many downloads).

im just new in chinese site... this is only for 2018... from facebook, Moddingway, and nlsc... i often promote nlsc to visit for mods... i have 500 minimum download every post, mostly 1000 when im active posting... i dont know now how many downloads but im already on the list of top hits in moddingway.
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im just new in chinese site... this is only for 2018... from facebook, Moddingway, and nlsc... i often promote nlsc to visit for mods... i have 500 minimum download every post, mostly 1000 when im active posting... i dont know now how many downloads but im already on the list of top hits in moddingway.
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accepting kind donation: https://www.paypal.me/rkjmods
SUBSCRIBE my Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/2DNwwjS
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Right, on multiple sites.

And explain how many downloads it took if possible. So for Big-Shot-Robs example, he had 20k downloads and made $7. Doesn't that mean you would require hundreds of thousands of downloads to even make $100? If my math is correct that is the case.

Thats depends on the CPM... i can have 180 -200 downloads i can earn 1 dollar...
im not an adfly guy... i only use adfly in 2K17 but my old links are still active
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Last edited by RKJ2k on Fri Nov 15, 2019 12:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I know, but I don't want the expectation of these modders to be that they can make hundreds of dollars. That's not the standard, and it's also branching out to other sites while making a lot of mods and great mods at that.

I don't want modders to look at this thread and think the opposite, your posts almost encourage the use (meanwhile others who use the same service say the opposite). It all gets very confusing.

One thing I know, it's not a good practice overall. For the reasons I've already outlined (and others have well).

yeah no problem... i just answered the question if its worth it in my side...donation is still the best way... but to modders dont expect for donations. i'll delete...
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I don't even be sugar coating crap. If yall trying to make money MODDING!? GET LOST! The community don't need you, never did. The MODDING community is about doing what you love and improving on the game....I been making sliders for years, got plenty of donations, made plenty off YT, w/e but I do it for free I did it for free because whether I got paid for it or not I was STILL gonna do it because I love it....the reason modders are NEVER going to make a killing off of that is because if YOU STOP somebody that LOVES doing it is going to take your place! And do what you trying to sell FOR FREE! I'm sorry that's just how it is, just being blunt....and you can say "oh sliders arent as hard as modding" w/e I logged over 1,396 hrs in 2K15 1,077 hrs in 2k16, 264 hours in 2K17, 434 hours in 2K18, 505 hours in 2K18, and so far 148 hours in 2K20....I know about the grind.

yeah no problem... i just answered the question if its worth it in my side...donation is still the best way... but to modders dont expect for donations. i'll delete...
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No need to delete, transparency and honesty is fine. I am just stating that I know the majority of the community and lurkers alike hate ads on download links, for the reasons mentioned.

I am not coming down on you, just being honest about the way it looks.

no problem... and im not the only one whos using ad and general... i just learn it when downloading others mods before or viewing videos. im here to answer about the thread honestly than being silent just to avoid the topic.
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Last edited by RKJ2k on Fri Nov 15, 2019 3:45 pm, edited 2 times in total.

I hate adfly and the rest of them also. I'd rather tip if it's within my means than click on shady wait 5 second links.

i used adfly back to my released mods on 2k14 , and with that money I got the full version of redmc , using adfly has also benefit a lot of modders also used the money to upgrade their laptop to continue play and modding their favorite game...
I think people against adblock have a job or parents that can pay for them what they need , so that's great for them but don't oppose to others

I think most people would not mind adfly if all it were a 5 second wait and then directly to the download. My issues are the deceptive downloads (which can lead to malware and viruses), the multiple redirects and popups and the adult advertising. Way way back in the past, all the way back to 2017, it took two clicks and 5 seconds to download a file. I recently counted 35 clicks to download a CF. That's the last d/l from that site. Did this person get credit for all of these clicks? That's an indication this person is in it for the money and is greedy and goes against the entire community. I perfectly understand some make a little money. This may be pennies for some and others may buy RedMC or upgrade hardware. But it seems most agree tip jars are the best solution. I think many are abusing the system, Thank you to Shuajota, 2kspecialist and all others who have listened.

Okay as I continue to read through this thread, even after my last post.

I've heard the modder's justify using it gives them a few bucks here and there, and one guy saying he doesn't have a job and it supports his spending habits.

As the people who want to download your mods, are clearly trying to explain! While you're making $7 to $200 dollars.

Your links are causing hundreds too thousands of dollars of damage to others PC's! Due to pop ups and misleading links and malware, that is aggressive and damaging.

Also it's costing us more in repairs and sometimes complete loss of other things we had saved on our hard drives that are now attached to viruses. And all we want to do was get a CF, or a Jersey, etc.

I have started using the Windows Sandbox feature that was added in Win 10 1903 when visiting these sites. It lets you boot up a virtual version of Windows 10 to access the sites and then everything is wiped away when you close the program. I don't know if it's actually safer or if it just makes me feel safer lol...