Direct selling, network marketing, and multi-level marketing

"Network Marketing" and "Multi-level Marketing" are generally considered to be synonyms, and a subset of direct selling. While "direct selling" and "network marketing" refer primarily to the distribution system, the term "multi-level marketing" emphasizes the compensation plan more.Other terms that are sometimes used to describe multi-level marketing include "word-of-mouth marketing", "interactive distribution", and "relationship marketing". Critics have argued that the use of different terms and "buzzwords" is an effort to distinguish multi-level marketing from illegal Ponzi schemes, chain letters, and consumer fraud scams. Some sources classify multi-level marketing as a form of direct selling rather than being direct selling.