Article directories don't like HTML because it’s so easy to make a mistake... if an author makes one tiny goof like leaving off a closing bracket or some other vital bit, the whole page might display incorrectly. To protect themselves, publishers often ignore anything with HTML in the body of the article.
Publishers are also on the lookout for authors engaged in link spamming, and are very wary of publishing an article that is merely a 1,200 word pitch for a product or service. Keep your advertising, and your HTML links, in your About the Author box.
You are welcome to use HTML in your About the Author box to add good links back to your site. And as part of the Crooner TLC Review Process, your author box will be checked to make sure the links work for you. That way, your article goes out in the correct format, publishers love your stuff, and everyone is happy. We like it when everyone is happy.