What is the ruling on purchasing a marketing package for $50 that includes 1,000 views and 20 ad clicks, in addition to a share of the company's fluctuating and unguaranteed profits (1-2%) until it reaches $55, with the condition of browsing 10 ads daily to receive a share of the profits?
A ruling on something is contingent upon its conception, and what was mentioned about the transaction is unclear. However, if what the participant buys are advertising packages (i.e., clicks from those who view the ads), then this is prohibited gambling. If he pays money for a share (stocks) to find, after a specified period, what he paid plus a known increase, then this is usury (riba), because he did not buy anything, and after the period ends, neither his capital nor what he supposedly bought is returned to him.
Moreover, most of these companies contract with advertisers to promote their products. They then pay a portion of what they received to certain individuals to browse these ads multiple times, thereby deceiving the advertisers into believing their ads reached a large number of people. This is clear deception, and it is impermissible to engage in it or assist with it. To guarantee profit, companies have started selling clicks before they even occur. All of this falls under gambling, deceit, and fraud, and is therefore impermissible.
Accordingly, if the reality of what you are asking about is as we have explained, then it is impermissible to participate in it, and this is the apparent conclusion. However, if the true nature of the transaction with the company is different, please clarify it so that a ruling can be made.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported
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- Original fatwa ID
- 159756
- Imported
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- Source text, unreviewed
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