In reply to Sybre Waaijer.

Why do you think that there is an acceptable way?

Don't advertise paid stuff in the free systems. Doing so makes you exploitative of the community provided systems for profit. That makes you "the bad guy" and no matter what you do, you will be seen as such by some.

When this is inherently a bad thing to do, then there is no good way to do it. So, either we get heavily restrictive, or let the community itself decide. Which it largely does, thru reviews and articles and blog posts and Twitter and etc...

The plugin and theme directories allow some advertising and try to limit things as best as possible. You can agree or disagree. And you will be countered by somebody else who disagrees with you, always. We can argue where that line is indefinitely. :shrug: