What Do You Think About Paid Reviews?
Posting paid reviews on blogs still is a controversial subject. Many articles and forum posts on it have been written. Have you already published yours?
If you haven’t, it isn’t too late for that. This is the kind of topic that will be debated for a long time.
So, what do you think about posting paid reviews on blogs? Is it unethical or is it all right? Why? And what about the risk of being penalised by Google if you post paid reviews? What do you preffer: Google traffic or advertisers’ money?
In case you’ve already posted an article on this subject, it might be time to write a follow up (unless your post is too recent).
Reread your text. Have you changed your mind about paid reviews, even if only partially? Why? And if you keep your original views on the subject, are there any remarks you’d like to add?
Posted on November 23rd, 2007 by Karen Zara
Filed under: Ideas and Inspiration
So, what do you think about posting paid reviews on blogs? Is it unethical or is it all right?
Why posting paid reviews on blogs should be unethical is completely beyond me. And, may I say, it’s not because I don’t understand ethics.
MAYBE it would be somewhat unethical if there is no indication whatsoever that money has changed hands - which is often not the case. If a blogger displays the “Get reviewed by me” icon, we know that we need to take some of his recommendations with a grain of sand.
I think a lot of bloggers like being holier-than-thou.
And what about the risk of being penalised by Google if you post paid reviews?
That’s a risk one needs to take - one that I wouldn’t want to take right now. But that’s just my opinion. It seems to work out for John Chow. His style is a little loud, not quite up my alley - but hey, it takes all kinds. We need diversity in the blogosphere. And if I don’t like being policed, it follows that I don’t want others policed.
Thank you for your comments, Isabella.
I had to ask whether people find it unethical or not because I’ve seen many bloggers dissing those who publish paid reviews. Although I agree with you, I wanted this post to sound as neutral as possible. After all, my aim here is to make my readers express their opinions, just like you did. My own opinion isn’t that important in this case.
We need diversity in the blogosphere. And if I don’t like being policed, it follows that I don’t want others policed.
I had to highlight this part. Well said!
There’s nothing wrong with it, as far as ethics goes (to a certain degree, depending on what’s being reviewed by the blogger, of course).
Thus, the real dilemma here would be the Google issue.
Thank you for leaving your comments here.
To be honest I almost forgot to include the Google issue on this post. *shame on me* I really had my mind set on ethical stuff, due to many harsh posts I read in the past.
Hey, I like your new blog! I’ve just discovered it.
Paid reviews are fine in my opinion, as long as this fact is disclosed in the review. But due to the issue with Google, I don’t know how wise it is to write them. However, as I already got my PR 0, I suppose I can do them freely, because they are not going to give me the PR back. Too bad nobody wants to pay me more than $5 now, and I don’t want to write for $5.
Hello Simonne! I’m happy to see you around, and even happier to know that you liked my new blog.
Your blog is too good to host five-dollar reviews. Rejecting this type of review is certainly a wise decision.
(Sorry for the superlate reply!)