AMAZON ASSOCIATES/BLOGGER/OTHER GOOGLE ISSUES

I am wondering if any of you use Blogger for your blog and if so do you use the Amazon Associates Gadget that is found on the right side of the Post Compose Page?

The last few days this gadget has not been working and in the new Blogger Interface it does not appear at all. I am wondering if Blogger is getting rid of this feature which would really disappoint me. You don't realize how much you use something until it is gone. I was just getting in the habit of linking items in several places in my posts instead of just one or two at the top and bottom.

I have tried to go directly to Amazon and build links and then copying and pasting but an empty white box is always shown at the end of the link which really breaks up the post. I do use links I make in the sidebars without a problem but in the posts they just do not format correctly and the point and click provided by the gadget was easy to use and I loved it!

I am not even sure if such a feature is part of the Wordpress blog software and have tried to research that without much luck but if it does I and it works as easy as Blogger used to I would be planning a transfer.

One Blogger called Amazon directly and reported the problem because done of our help questions emailed or put in forums at both Blogger and Amazon have gone unanswered. The whole Amazon Associate program for creating Widgets/gadgets is down completely right now and I am hoping it will solve the issue but seeing no place for this feature on the new Blogger Interface leaves me quite worried.

I have also noticed as Google debuts a bunch of new features and looks that they have created a lot of bugs. I use Google Documents to make giveaway entry forms but if you are using the Google Chrome Browser you cannot edit a Google form, but if you open up Google Docs in Mozilla or IE you can edit the forms with ease. Copying, cutting and pasting has become a problem not only with Google Docs but in Blogger as well. If you try to copy something from another website or a previously published post the background color is copied as well and highlights the text when it s posted in a new posts. There are two ways to get rid of the highlighting. After you copy the text, paste it into Microsoft Wordpad, remove any highlighting and copy again and then paste into the new post or open up the old post as if to edit it and copy from there and then the information can be directly into the new post.

I am wondering how many other people have this problems or if you know anything about the future of this gadget in Blogger or if Amazon Associates widgets are easily used WordPress? I want to know if my problems are isolated incidents, just me and a few others that I now of and you honest opinions about Google Products. I want to make informed decisions and not jump ship only to be still disappointed because while it is very easy to transfer your blogger blog to WordPress going back is either quite a chore or not an option. Plus I am so happy with my blog right now outside of these new issues, I really don't want to change if I don't have to.

I hope to gain lots of information from this community and your help is really appreciated!!!!

Thank you,

LORI/Dollycas

Tags: amazon, associates, blogger, help

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sharon Henning on September 27, 2011 at 4:53pm

I wrote Amazon associates and they gave me the web site where I can add the widget of the book I'm reviewing directly from the site. It's not as convenient as the google widget but it does enable us to add the book link in case someone wants to buy the book. The site is http://associates.amazon.com

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Permalink Reply by LORI CASWELL on October 10, 2011 at 5:42pm

Be careful what you say in the forums lost all my Google Accounts yesterday and starting over with WordPress today!!

Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book or Dollycas Thoughts Part II.

Stop by if you have time!!

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Permalink Reply by Kelli Wheelwright on October 11, 2011 at 12:48am

Glad someone is talking about this. I am in California, so I only recently was invited back to Amazon Associates. I thought it was a glitch with those of us returning.... glad to hear its not just a lost feature and that its being handled.

http://www.ekfamilybooks.blogspot.com