the blogosphere is for sale

June 30, 2006 9:05 AM

Polluting the blogospherebusinessweek is writing about a new company that is basically paying bloggers to write about products --- disclosure is optional... congratulations marketers --- you ruin everything
posted by bliss322 (44 comments total)

Complaining that "marketers are ruining blogging" is akin to telling someone "Hey! You pissed in my spoiled milk."
posted by Mayor Curley at 9:09 AM on June 30, 2006

So?
Also, anyone who uses "blogosphere" in anything other than a 100% ironic sense should be half hanged, drawn and quartered.
posted by signal at 9:15 AM on June 30, 2006

Mayor, i stand corrected

by the way, i just bought a new pair of nike cross trainers; and, man -- not only do i jump higher and run faster -- they also got me laid
posted by bliss322 at 9:16 AM on June 30, 2006

Not only is the average quality and sincerity of blogs pretty low anyways, I would be rather surprised if this was a new idea.

How many bloggers are journalists anyways? I'm sure that if the magazines and newspapers and other media outlets they work for are being paid to write articles about some product, that's making it into the blogs of their employees.
posted by XMLicious at 9:18 AM on June 30, 2006

[walks into thread holding a piece of cardboard saying "WILL WRITE FOR FOOD" and stands on the conspicuous street corner that has just magically appeared in the thread.]

...

I'm not proud.

Of course, my website isn't so much a blog as it is an online journal, and nobody reads my online journal so I'll never get any sponsors. I rue the day when I log into Metafilter and in the top left hand corner it says "American Airlines presents MetaFilter dot com" but hey it's inevitable, isn't it?
posted by ZachsMind at 9:21 AM on June 30, 2006

This has been going on for quite awhile.
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 9:25 AM on June 30, 2006

More like complaining that "marketers are ruining everything" is akin to telling someone "Hey! 2 plus 2 equals 4!
posted by keswick at 9:28 AM on June 30, 2006

Disclosure: bliss322 was paid by Business Week to write this post.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 9:28 AM on June 30, 2006

Now, when I read 'reviews' on sites like Amazon or MetaCritic or wherever, I play a little game with myself to figure out who's the paid marketer and who's the actual consumer. I usually immediately rule out anyone with decent spelling and grammar as fakes.
posted by NationalKato at 9:29 AM on June 30, 2006

.
.
.
...(eat snacky smores)
posted by illuminatus at 9:31 AM on June 30, 2006

All this stuff gives me a headache.

That's when I reach for Excedrin: The Headache Medicine.
posted by mullingitover at 9:36 AM on June 30, 2006

...which I wash down with some Pepsi Blue.
posted by mullingitover at 9:37 AM on June 30, 2006

That makes the bloggers whores--they do it for $$$...why just blame marketing companies trying to increase sales?
posted by Postroad at 9:38 AM on June 30, 2006

Pff. With theamount of street teaming and bigging-up of each others crap that goes on in the "blogosphere" will anyone actually notice?
posted by Artw at 9:39 AM on June 30, 2006

People still blog? Wow. I thought it had jumped the shark.
posted by nlindstrom at 9:39 AM on June 30, 2006

More like complaining that "marketers are ruining everything" is akin to telling someone "Hey! 2 plus 2 equals 4!

Yeah, when you consider facts like how marketers intentionally circumvent parental authority in order to appeal directly to children (even explicitly going so far as to encourage tension between parents--so-called "gatekeepers"--and their own children, just to sell products), this kind of things comes as no surprise. Should they all be ashamed of themselves? Probably. Will anyone do anything to stop subversive marketing practices? Probably not, IMO, because the bullshit's gotten so deep these days precious few people can even get their heads high enough up to see it. It would be nice to see some real reforms with teeth where marketing practices and the advertising industries are concerned. But such reforms will happen only once we really admit to having a problem. Until then, we'll just keep piling lie on top of lie, telling ourselves all the while that reality's just a game, and that only appearances matter, despite all evidence to the contrary.
posted by saulgoodman at 9:45 AM on June 30, 2006

Marketing is an inevitable epiphenomenon of a capitalist economy. It is "good" or "bad" solely in subjective terms -- which is to say, we get to choose both what it is that makes us label it as "bad", and whether or not we engage in or participate in marketing that fulfills those criteria.

Short version: We get to choose, in large part, how we live. The trick is to know you've got choices, and take them.
posted by lodurr at 9:45 AM on June 30, 2006

man, nlindstrong, that Chronicle piece was seriously fucked up. I kept wondering if it was supposed to be parody, but I have to think it's serious.

So, to the job seekers.

Professor Turbo Geek's blog had a presumptuous title that was easy to overlook, as we see plenty of cyberbravado these days in the online aliases and e-mail addresses of students and colleagues.

But the site quickly revealed that the true passion of said blogger's life was not academe at all, but the minutiae of software systems, server hardware, and other tech exotica. It's one thing to be proficient in Microsoft Office applications or HTML, but we can't afford to have our new hire ditching us to hang out in computer science after a few weeks on the job.

Jesus, man, what are you looking for -- someone who'll get the Chair's CV tattooed all over his body?
posted by lodurr at 9:53 AM on June 30, 2006

I've been doing it for a while on my blog. I don't get cash though, I get products to review, including some cool electronics stuff. In my case though, I fully disclose every time, and I even have a category just for the sponsored reviews. They have not all been positive reviews either. The marketing company supplying the goods have never asked me to write anything particular, or to edit anything after the fact. They give the stuff and ask me to work into a blog post. Trying to write something amusing and funny about some common household cleaning product turns out to be a pretty decent writing exercise.
posted by COD at 9:53 AM on June 30, 2006

Yeah, this definitely sucks, and all, but how could marketers ruin, say, MeFi? Can you imagine the wrath that would be called down upon anyone who tried to pull that shit around here? They'd quickly have a need for Tucks Brand Medicated Pads, at least metaphorically, or virtually.

Also, it wouldn't bug me, one iota, if this site were "MeFi Presented by American Airlines," as long it wasn't too in-your-face, it didn't diminish the utility of the place, and any changes in presentation or content were clear. It would be an unequivocal Good Thing if it gave Matt more resources to do more cool stuff.
posted by ibmcginty at 10:03 AM on June 30, 2006

The "reviews" on Amazon.com will normally include the writer, the writer's family, the writer's friends, and the writer's agent, unless it's a well-promoted book.
posted by QuietDesperation at 10:16 AM on June 30, 2006

As long as it's not "MeFi presented by Nissan".
posted by lodurr at 10:25 AM on June 30, 2006

I have a DVD on Amazon, Quiet Desperation, and that is most certainly true. It gets really embarassing when they aren't good at hiding it.
posted by brundlefly at 10:26 AM on June 30, 2006

ibmcginty: The front page is currently loaded with links to commercial sites. How would it be noticeably different if someone were being paid?
posted by empath at 10:28 AM on June 30, 2006

The New Blogtacular Media has begun Phase II in their crusade against the MSM: Take their sponsors.


Anyone know where I can sign up?
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:43 AM on June 30, 2006

Also, it wouldn't bug me, one iota, if this site were "MeFi Presented by American Airlines"

Not at all? Man, I don't understand this younger generation. And by "younger generation" I mean 17Kers.
posted by languagehat at 10:54 AM on June 30, 2006

Pepsi Blog
posted by furtive at 11:00 AM on June 30, 2006

...

*goes to create a blog*
posted by triolus at 11:28 AM on June 30, 2006

Not at all? Man, I don't understand this younger generation.

Well, why would it bug you, languagehat? We're smart enough to recognize and evaluate advertising. Doesn't mean that I love the fact that we're confronted with as much advertising as we are, or that kids are targeted, but really, I think we can handle it. As long as the stuff I wrote about above holds.
posted by ibmcginty at 11:41 AM on June 30, 2006

Well, why would it bug you, languagehat? We're smart enough to recognize and evaluate advertising. Doesn't mean that I love the fact that we're confronted with as much advertising as we are, or that kids are targeted, but really, I think we can handle it. As long as the stuff I wrote about above holds.

Yeah, but isn't this more a discussion about marketers passing off marketing content as information? How does "recognizing and evaluating advertising" factor into it when we aren't even given any warning that the content is actually marketing content mascarading as information? Until I think sometime in the 80s, truth in advertising laws were on the books specifically to prevent these kinds of attempts to subvert reality with various preferred fictions, and these laws came about as a direct response to abuses in the marketplace. Maybe the rules weren't perfect, but at least we were engaged with the problem in those days. I can understand languagehat's concerns, because I sometimes get the impression that our culture has produced an entire generation of individuals no longer even capable of recognizing why differences between appearances and reality matter. Unfortunately, that conceptual error hasn't changed the fact that reality's still there, getting more and more pissed off about being slighted with each passing day.
posted by saulgoodman at 12:06 PM on June 30, 2006

Just throwing this out: How about a Code of Conduct badge that bloggers can put next to their "Powered by {x}" buttons? They'd link to a page swearing that they take no marketing dollars apart from their AdWords or something. No?
posted by skryche at 12:21 PM on June 30, 2006

when i was in between jobs, i worked for a 'guerilla' PR company that was paid to coverly spam various message boards as if we were actual board members who just 'happened to want to share this cool link.' marketing is already keen on how we like and don't like to learn about new products - it's their job after all.
posted by gnutron at 12:29 PM on June 30, 2006

It just so happens that while I'm browsing Metafilter, I'm also enjoying a tasty, refreshing, Pepsi Blue.
posted by SenshiNeko at 1:42 PM on June 30, 2006

Well, why would it bug you, languagehat? We're smart enough to recognize and evaluate advertising.

Sure we are. Does that mean it shouldn't bug us? Does it not bother you even a tiny bit to see every fucking thing presented by some corporate sponsor? "This replay brought to you by..." "This close-up sponsored by..." Feh. Having text ads on the side is one thing (I've got them on LH); "This Blog Is Presented By..." is quite another.

And what saulgoodman said.
posted by languagehat at 1:44 PM on June 30, 2006

I predict that we're the last generation that is going to care about this sort of thing. Have you noticed how young people now don't particularly mind being marketed to? Have you noticed how 50% of hiphop lyrics mention some sort of brand names? Have you noticed the profusion of hiphop artists who are actually named after corperate brand names? People get brand names tatooed on them. I suppose they think they're being rebellious.

It all started in the 90's, when *I* was a teen. All the kids around me started wearing shirts that had nothing on them but one HUGE logo that covered their entire chests. I thought it was weird - why be a walking advertisement for some company?

Little did I know how far that sort of thing would come in such a short time.
posted by Afroblanco at 2:30 PM on June 30, 2006

I got an email once asking if I would review some software for my blog. Funny, because by my estimates I have about 20 people reading my site.
posted by danb at 2:31 PM on June 30, 2006

I went to the referenced PayPerPost site (intellectual curiosity only, honest!) and found the current list of opportunities: only 18 so far, but it's fascinating to see just who is putting up the money for blogshilling...

Unless otherwise noted, blogger opinion may be positive OR negative... (+/-)
(my comments in parentheses)
things you've most probably already heard of in bold

Advertising on Public Transportation: Tell us how you feel.
Caegory: Opinion :: Blatant Advertising $5.00 for 50 words, no link required

Da Breakup Song: Crazy ghetto girl breaks up for you
Category: Buzz :: Blatant Advertising $5.00 for 50 words & link

Hot Chicks Like guys in funny tshirts
Category: Review :: Society & Culture $5.25 for 50 words, link & photo

Fast Loan Offers - Compare Everyday Loans - Bad Credit Loans and Much More
Category: Review :: Arts & Humanities (What?!?) $5.00 for 50 words & link

DebtU earn money to spread the buzz about DebtU - Helping People Rebuild their Credit Score the fast and easy way
Category: Link Building :: Business & Economy $7.00 for 50 words & link

Pay Per Post (themselves)- Get Paid $10 to Promote!
Bloggers and Blog owners are compensated for their participation in corporate communications
Category: Buzz :: Computers & Internet $10.00 for 40 words, link & photo (of what?)

Student City - A College Spring Breakers Paradise - The perfect place for College Spring Breakers to get the Latest Spring Break Hot Spot Information.
Cat: Buzz :: Other $7.50 for 50 words & link

Match.com - Find Local Safe Singles - An online dating site that allows single people meet other single people to find true love.
Cat: Review :: Society & Culture $5.00 for 50 words & link

Superman is coming - Action Packed Adventure returns.
Cat: Review :: Arts & Humanities $5.00 for 10 words & link

iTunes 6 - Music and Movies on the Move - iTunes is the easiest way to organize, share and listen to music on your computer.
Cat: Review :: Electronics $5.00 for 50 words, link & photo

Blog in Space - Transmiting your Blog into Space - Blogs In Space is the first entity to allow everyday bloggers to transmit the news and thoughts of an everyday person into space. (Wasn't that a segment on The Muppet Show?)
Cat: Buzz :: Science $5.00 for 50 & link, no negative comments (oops, I'm out...)

SemVooDoo Blog - Search Engine Marketing Blog (an obvious user for this service IMO) helping the little guys gain knowledge of the Search Engine World.
Cat: Review :: Computers & Internet $5.00 for 50 & link

PINKS on SPEEDTV spread the hype about the show - Using the setting of a classic 1950s drag race, PINKS will pit contestants in a best three-out-of-five format, with the loser handing over the title (pink slip) to his or her vehicle.
Cat: Buzz :: Recreation & Sports $10.00 for 50 & link, no negative comments

Hell's Kitchen (on FOX) Cooking up Something - Each week people compete in a cooking contest with each other as they attempt to prove they have what it takes to run their own restaurant.
Cat: Buzz :: Health (do they need more categories or what?) $5.00 20 words & link

Spider Man 3 Movie out in May 2007 - An action packed movie that helps complete the first two.
Cat: Buzz :: News & Media $10.00 for 20 words & link

Breakdance - So you think you can Dance? (I'm sure they're talking about the show on FOX) Spread your Opinion! Helping America find undiscovered dancing talent in their states.
Cat: Opinion :: Arts & Humanities $5.75 for 10 words & link

Trading Spouses (on FOX again) - What's your Take on it? People trade up their spouses to see how other people live in different parts of america. From different ways of religion, to different ways they spend their money.
Cat: Review :: Society & Culture $5.00 for 20 words & link

Blog about our Color Bubble Wrap, Red, Purple,Blue
Not only have customers used our Bubble Wrap for protecting their (the blurb stops there... I guess we'll never know what's protected unless we sign up)
Cat: Buzz :: Business & Economy $5.00 for 20 words w/link and photo, no negative comments...

----

If I may make a modest proposal, anything using this service should not be allowed to be posted on MetaFilter, and anyone who tries to post one should receive an automatic X week timeout.
posted by wendell at 3:32 PM on June 30, 2006 [1 favorite has favorites]

My reasoned and rational take on the matter, a couple of years ago: 'Blogger whores fuck off'.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:20 PM on June 30, 2006

ibmcginty : "Doesn't mean that I love the fact that we're confronted with as much advertising as we are, or that kids are targeted, but really, I think we can handle it."

I suspect that you two are slightly talking past eachother. LH isn't saying that he couldn't handle it, and you aren't saying that you'd love it. If I read you correctly, you're both saying that you could cope with it, but wouldn't particularly like it. The only difference is the degree to which you'd dislike it. (Note: this is just assuming I'm reading y'all right)
posted by Bugbread at 8:24 PM on June 30, 2006

Note: Unfortunately, however, I'm now going to be subconsciously stuck parsing your name, not as "I.B. McGinty", but "IBM Cginty"
posted by Bugbread at 8:25 PM on June 30, 2006

This comment has been brought to you by the letter 2 and the numeral U.
posted by loquacious at 10:53 PM on June 30, 2006

Sometimes I do wonder whether the repeated mentions of a certain fizzy drink on this very blog have transcended irony and are, in fact, positively affecting sales...
posted by flabdablet at 3:19 AM on July 1, 2006

flabdablet : "Sometimes I do wonder whether the repeated mentions of a certain fizzy drink on this very blog have transcended irony and are, in fact, positively affecting sales..."

Only if purchasers have a time machine. Said fizzy product was discontinued two years ago.
posted by Bugbread at 3:35 AM on July 1, 2006

Well, that's all right then.

Except in Mexico and Costa Rica, maybe.
posted by flabdablet at 3:52 AM on July 1, 2006