Comments on: Why You Should Take Web Hosting Reviews with a Grain of Salt http://webhosting-directory.org/why-you-should-take-web-hosting-reviews-with-a-grain-of-salt/ Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:03:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jennifer Mattern http://webhosting-directory.org/why-you-should-take-web-hosting-reviews-with-a-grain-of-salt/comment-page-1/#comment-186 Jennifer Mattern Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:26:21 +0000 http://webhosting-directory.org/?p=74#comment-186 Yep, the FTC rules apply (but only to those writers or review sites based in the U.S.). I'll be starting the review series here soon actually, and I'll be abiding by them. Here it's a little bit different in that I'm a staff writer on the site and not the owner -- I therefore get paid the same no matter what opinion I give in a review, and I don't directly earn from the inclusion of affiliate links. And from a previous discussion it seems the owner and I are of the same mind regarding keeping all reviews honest (I've been asked to work with the less ethical types on review projects where they want to force positive reviews, and when those situations come up, I walk away -- I'm not the type to sell my integrity for a quick buck). So hopefully that's something you'll never have to worry about here. :) Yep, the FTC rules apply (but only to those writers or review sites based in the U.S.). I’ll be starting the review series here soon actually, and I’ll be abiding by them. Here it’s a little bit different in that I’m a staff writer on the site and not the owner — I therefore get paid the same no matter what opinion I give in a review, and I don’t directly earn from the inclusion of affiliate links. And from a previous discussion it seems the owner and I are of the same mind regarding keeping all reviews honest (I’ve been asked to work with the less ethical types on review projects where they want to force positive reviews, and when those situations come up, I walk away — I’m not the type to sell my integrity for a quick buck). So hopefully that’s something you’ll never have to worry about here. :)

]]> By: Gerald Weber http://webhosting-directory.org/why-you-should-take-web-hosting-reviews-with-a-grain-of-salt/comment-page-1/#comment-163 Gerald Weber Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:27:21 +0000 http://webhosting-directory.org/?p=74#comment-163 It used to be that web hosting reviews would attempt to be honest impartial reviews when they are in reality doing to the review in order to pitch the web hosting company that they are an affiliate for. While I don't think there is anything wrong with pitching an affiliate product especially if it's a quality product. This tactic acting like an impartial party is kind of sneaky. However I think this has to change now due to the recent FTC changes regarding <a href="http://www.amnavigator.com/blog/2009/10/06/ftc-disclosure-rules-affiliate-marketing-implications/" rel="nofollow">disclosure of affiliate links</a>. It used to be that web hosting reviews would attempt to be honest impartial reviews when they are in reality doing to the review in order to pitch the web hosting company that they are an affiliate for.

While I don’t think there is anything wrong with pitching an affiliate product especially if it’s a quality product. This tactic acting like an impartial party is kind of sneaky. However I think this has to change now due to the recent FTC changes regarding disclosure of affiliate links.

]]> By: Ann Smarty http://webhosting-directory.org/why-you-should-take-web-hosting-reviews-with-a-grain-of-salt/comment-page-1/#comment-162 Ann Smarty Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:22:08 +0000 http://webhosting-directory.org/?p=74#comment-162 Web hosting is the most dangerous area in terms of fake reviews, I think. So this is some valuable piece of advice, thanks. Web hosting is the most dangerous area in terms of fake reviews, I think. So this is some valuable piece of advice, thanks.

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