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[ASK] Paid Review?? Is it legal??

Discussion in 'General Business' started by rootz91, Oct 26, 2011.

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  1. #1
    Dear Digital point members,
    So recently I've heard about a business called "paid review", which means a blogger/webmaster writes a review/promotional article to an advertiser/company.
    Is this even legal?? Are many people doing this kind of business? I heard Uncle Google hates it.

    PS: Sorry if this thread is posted in wrong room, because I have no idea where else I should ask.
    Thanks in advance :D
     
    rootz91, Oct 26, 2011 IP
  2. ApocalypseXL

    ApocalypseXL Notable Member

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    #2
    It is called shilling and it is illegal and easy to detect .
     
    ApocalypseXL, Oct 26, 2011 IP
  3. mnh962

    mnh962 Peon

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    #3
    I do not know exactly paid review is legal or illegal, but I have been doing this from 2 years ago and I got some money for this.
     
    mnh962, Oct 26, 2011 IP
  4. lifeplayer

    lifeplayer Notable Member

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    #4
    illegal? not at all, else they all will close...
    actually those paid to write review is same as link selling site, not say illegal but google saying that they prefer natural link all the time
     
    lifeplayer, Oct 26, 2011 IP
  5. williamsweb

    williamsweb Active Member

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    #5
    FTC require a disclosure and you are all done.
     
    williamsweb, Oct 26, 2011 IP
  6. ApocalypseXL

    ApocalypseXL Notable Member

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    #6
    ApocalypseXL, Oct 26, 2011 IP
  7. sarahk

    sarahk iTamer Staff

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    #7
    All those travel programs that they show on TV are paid reviews and there is a declaration at the end of the program like "Suzy flew to LA courtesy of... Suzy was dressed by ..."

    Paid reviews only become a problem when the review content is manipulated and there is no disclosure.

    Personally I'd find it interesting to review specific types of products (bikes, bike clothes, gadgets) but I'd expect some reward for my effort.
     
    sarahk, Oct 26, 2011 IP
  8. conspicuous

    conspicuous Peon

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    #8
    conspicuous, Oct 26, 2011 IP
  9. sarahk

    sarahk iTamer Staff

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    #9
    I think you'll find the FTC have no jurisdiction over the OP, infact you are the only US resident to post in this thread so the FTC is pretty obsolete.
     
    sarahk, Oct 26, 2011 IP
  10. ApocalypseXL

    ApocalypseXL Notable Member

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    #10
    The net is filled with reviews from countries with little or unenforced laws against shilling . Even complete scams have dozens of reviews , somehow i don't think we need more of those .

    Sponsored reviews are common and unproblematic since the company provides/rents the material for free but it never gives out money to influence the review . Top Gear is a good example of sponsored reviews .
     
    ApocalypseXL, Oct 27, 2011 IP
  11. Movielocker

    Movielocker Peon

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    #11
    even the local news in here sometimes is like that......for weeks every headline in the news refers to a single politician or moviestar.....then after that politician/movies star won the election or hit the box office..... headlines would instantly shift to a diffrent topic... i think its natural....even in the web
     
    Movielocker, Oct 27, 2011 IP
  12. rootz91

    rootz91 Peon

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    #12
    Thanks for the link and responses :D
    So as long as I have a disclosure and the review is not dishonest (manipulated) it is perfectly fine??
     
    rootz91, Oct 27, 2011 IP
  13. sarahk

    sarahk iTamer Staff

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    #13
    Yes, I'd be happy with that.
     
    sarahk, Oct 27, 2011 IP
  14. Mrs.Cold

    Mrs.Cold Greenhorn

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    #14
    Great!! I'd like your opinion, That's my goal to join this forum!!
     
    Mrs.Cold, Oct 28, 2011 IP
  15. Movielocker

    Movielocker Peon

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    #15
    This is great! thanks guys for this very informative discussion! Now i know what am I doing right now is illegal or legal. :D
     
    Movielocker, Nov 2, 2011 IP