The free sites are intended for people to be able to build sites as they follow the first module of the training.

Although you can post as much as you like to your siterubix website (including images) some functionality such as installing plugins is limited.

Yes, plugins are free to install on the Wordpress platform but they add additional load to servers and I'm sure some (such as e-commerce plugins) could be exploited by some less-ethical members.

Imagine if someone signed up with a disposable email address, set up a website with an e-commerce plugin then took orders they never intended to fulfill. Wealthy Affiliate would have no way of tracking such a member down.

Incidentally - Wordpress don't allow people to install plugins on their free accounts on wordpress.com either.

as Diane says - the policy hasn't changed since yesterday.

This is the answer I gave you yesterday when you asked the same question. No, they are not allowed to install any plugins, they can only use the ones they are given. I guess its just another way of showing them the benefits of being premium.

the wordpress allowed for starters is a little restrictive, but it is aimed at giving people a taster of what is to come.
don't forget also that the starter members sites are removed after 6 months, a fact that i found out only about a month ago.
the reasoning, 6 months is long enough to make a decision to invest in your future.
while i agree in principle, to make money with affiliate marketing takes a long time, depending on niche.
i hope this won't put too many off.
phil

Hi - no, they are not allowed to install any plugins, they can only use the ones they are given. I guess its just another way of showing them the benefits of being premium.