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Wow, I never heard that rule before. Stating "especially for competition to our paying advertisers" seems to imply that the rule is not limited to competing products, but more rigorously enforced for competing products. I have seen direct links "relating how to make contact for a product" for everything from balancing beads and valve stems to entire motorcycles (including my own posts).
Wow? You're surprised that an organization would want to avoid undermining the business of those who have agreed to help bear the expenses of the organization.
We encourage our members to share their experiences with products and even tell the other members where to get the best deals on products with which they've had experience. I do draw the line at providing advertisement for competition of our few paying advertisers.
If that surprises you I have this bridge ...