Kvetching about review blogs
In an effort to Blog with Integrity, and not end up in violation of some advertisers policies, many mommy bloggers are removing product reviews from their main blogs and starting up separate pages and sites for these bits of important information. A hearty bunch of bloggers fell into the category of pawning off reviews as posts. Either they didn’t realize they were doing it — or they got caught. So — now — allow me to welcome you to the Review-asphere.
Woo hoo! Now I can spend all the time I’m not reading mom blogs and my other must-see categories (writing, editing, agent, publishing and Chicago blogs), reading review blogs.
Or not.
Like weeds in the cracks of my sidewalk, these cannot be stopped. Pull one out, there’s another. Spray it down, rake it away, there’s a new one in it’s place. Frankly, I have no idea who reads them all if everyone is writing them. Is there a semblance of supply and demand here? I don’t think so. If we all opened stores but no one shopped in them, what’s the point? Do they each offer something unique and special? Are these review bloggers supporting eachother? I might be a negative Nelly, but I doubt it. I think there are so many people who write one blog and don’t read and comment on others, that I can’t imagine managing multiple sites gives one more time to become part of yet another online obsession community.
I’m not reading these blogs, that’s for sure. I am very leery of people who recommend things they get for free — because face it, I have no reason to trust the opinion of 99% of the blogosphere. The other 1%, well, yes. Call me crazy, I ask people I know for their thoughts, not strangers. Except for a handful of bloggers I have no idea of someone’s socio-economic status (nor do I want to know). One person’s bargain is another person’s splurge. One person’s dream vacation is another person’s nightmare. And all the green reviews out there? It’s a matter of opinion what’s good for the environment and our bodies.
And I also put much more credence in websites that offer reviews written by a myriad of contributors than a blogger who tells me what kind of cream cheese she uses on her bagels (Philly) or the best toilet paper (Target brand). I don’t mind sites that say “this is kinda cool” but I do mind sites that say “this is the best” or “this is the worst.” I also get a bit queasy at the blogger who writes that they did the laundry today, linking to washing machine, laundry detergent and clothing sites. Or, boy I was so hungry yesterday I ate this — complete with linky love.
By meeting a diverse group of bloggers in person over the past 3 1/2 years, I know that while we have blogging in common, most are very different from me. If I like your shoes I might ask you where you got them, and if I’m feeling friendly I might ask how much they cost. But I don’t go around asking everyone because we have personal senses of style, varying budgets and different sized feet. (8 1/2 wide, if you’re interested)
Here is what I do care about…
Are you reading review blogs? Do you REALLY care what people think about the zillions of products and services available out there? Where do you go for your information? Am I off the mark? Is this the next big thing (won’t be the first one I missed out on). I’m not trying to be swayed (I’m a rock) but I am trying to understand because, well, I just don’t get it.
Me? I’ll be honest, I google. I am a google goddess. When I have my facts, I ask my friends — in person or online.
I have reviewed books on my other blog, but I do it as much to remember what I read as anything else. Plus, as a writer and voracious reader, sometimes my friends ask me if I’ve read a good book lately and now I really know if I have. I only recommend books, I don’t pan a book I don’t like. But I don’t recommend a book I don’t like. That’s just me.
I have no interest in this trend - yet it’s proliferation has me curious.
Not about what bloggers are saying really — but why.
Oh, why?
By Jill C. on Jul 29, 2009
AMEN! I thought I was alone in my thoughts about this topic and am so very glad to see I am not. Having just come back from Blogher I was amazed at the amount of “review” blogs out there.
I do not understand the sense in them and have never visited one myself.
I have a very targeted blog but still do very few reviews although I do say when I truly like something. I believe a blog should be to inform and educate and support readers about particular subjects…not as a stomping ground for getting and pawning free stuff.
Amy I could not agree more with you…and thank you for posting this so I know I am not alone!!!! Sometimes I wonder what I am just not getting in this whole review thing…and why companies are jumping hoops to reach blogs that have zilch readership!
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SuburbanKvetch replied:
July 29th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
@Jill C.,
I crossed my fingers in the hopes that like-minded bloggers would chime in! So thanks. Am also curious for the answers from people who feel differently. Like I said, I don’t want to have my mind changed necessarily, but I am fascinated by trends, especially within the realm of blogs and social media.
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By Selfish Mom on Jul 29, 2009
I don’t have a separate review blog, but I do a lot of reviews and giveaways on my personal blog. I like talking about products, and actually started a tech review blog a long time ago, long before I knew there was swag to be had (that one went away because I discovered there were already so many sites doing it better - tech reviews take more time than any other kind, for me anyway).
I review things I’ve gotten for free, things I’ve paid for myself, and sometimes talk about something in exchange for a giftcard or cash. It’s all clearly marked and it’s all 100% my own opinion. When possible I try to review things that I would have bought anyway, so while I’m not getting directly paid for those reviews they save me an equivalent amount of money. This is not a hobby for me, so I try to get paid one way or another. This also cuts down (but does not eliminate) negative reviews.
I use Amazon Affiliate links wherever possible. They’re a great source of income - it’s small, but it’s also not much trouble to add them to a post. I’m trying to monetize my blog in as many ways as possible without being completely annoying, and linking to a product that I’m already talking about seems to me to be completely in context, much more so than a google adsense ad about something only remotely connected to my post.
I don’t regularly read review blogs (although I do land on them through search engines and read them), but I do read reviews on personal blogs, which is why I’ve chosen not to have a separate review blog. I get a lot of traffic from google looking for information on products, and while most people read that review and leave, some of them do stick around and become regular readers.
I’ve always liked talking about products, so this was just a natural for me. Once I discovered that there were free products out there for review and giveaway, I ran with it. I know that I’m being honest, both with myself and my readers, so my conscience is clear. And since my blog keeps growing and the conversations are getting more interesting, I think I’m on the right track.
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SuburbanKvetch replied:
July 29th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
@Selfish Mom,
Thanks for your input, you certainly know what you want and how to make it work for you.
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By prescott on Jul 29, 2009
“XYZ Product review” are very popular search phrases, so (in general) reviews are good to attract search engine traffic to your site. But I’m sure many are set up to troll for free products — even though almost all reputable review sites prohibit reviews from keeping anything worth more than a nominal amount.
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SuburbanKvetch replied:
July 29th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
@prescott,
I know people post reviews for traffic - which to me is different from posting reviews because you want to write about something awesome you did/saw/bought/got.
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By Linsey Krolik on Jul 29, 2009
I occasionally do reviews (very selective and just things I am really interested in), but do not have (and never will have) a separate review blog. I also don’t have ads on my site and view my blog as really just for me. I agree in that it doesn’t necessarily seem to be community building especially if all the review blogs are reviewing the same stuff. HOWEVER, I think that if you have a niche review blog OR if you work hard to build relationships with both your readers and the PR people you are working with and you review things that are relevant to your readers, it can be powerful.
I also think we have to remember that many people reading review blogs are NOT other bloggers! So perhaps, for them, it is more powerful. In turn, review bloggers have to be aware of this and take steps to make sure they are blogging with integrity (as a lawyer, I am very interested in this angle of the whole product review thing).
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SuburbanKvetch replied:
July 29th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
@Linsey Krolik,
Yes! The Blogging with Integrity “movement” is really amazing. I think that in general, many people take reviews as facts — book reviews, product reviews etc. I think that disclaimers/reminders that this post/review is solely the opinion of the one blogger writing this is also a good idea. Because even review sites can be misrepresenting themselves as “experts.” I tend to not mind at all when a blogger writes a review of something she loves — if most of the time she is content blogging. If I’m there that means I like her, and I am never bothered by it. But I don’t look for it.
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By Melanie on Jul 29, 2009
I NEVER read product reviews. If something happens to be mentioned in the post, I’ll notice, but I don’t add that item to my mental list of things I want. I ask friends if I really want an opinion.
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By Jessica (@It's my life...) on Jul 29, 2009
I have a review blog. I started it because I was upset when I heard that many Amazon reviews are trumped up. I write and read reviews so that people who want to know more about a product can do a bit of research and get an honest viewpoint before buying something.
I was, until now, also doing giveaways. But I’m done (after a last one or two that were promised). I’m finding that the giveaways detract from the actual review and have moved my blog away from the purpose I had intended for it.
My friends all come to me for advice about what to buy, my review blog was just a way to extend that to my friends in the blogosphere.
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By Jessica (@It's my life...) on Jul 29, 2009
Oh, and as to why read them? I don’t think review blogs should be read the same way a regular blog is read. At least I don’t expect my readers to do so. I think it’s just good to have the information out there in case someone is interested in buying the product and wants an opinion.
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SuburbanKvetch replied:
July 29th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
@Jessica (@It’s my life…), I guess it just doesn’t appeal to me, but it’s great that you have people who want your opinion on products - they must find you honest and reliable - but personal review blogs are one private citizen’s opinion, which is I guess why they do not appeal to me.
I realize I’m in the minority but hey, that’s what make me - ME!
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Jessica (@It's my life...) replied:
July 31st, 2009 at 5:01 pm
@SuburbanKvetch, I rarely rely on just one person’s opinion and I hope no one relies on just mine before making a decision. That’s why I’m glad there’s a proliferation of review blogs - the more people review products the more opinions there are for consumers to hear.
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By Mom101 on Jul 29, 2009
Hm, well on one hand I write a blog that deals with products (among other things) in Cool Mom Picks. But I wouldn’t call it a review blog. In fact I think “review blog” is getting a bad name so I’m glad to call it a shopping blog, even though iPhone apps and kids concerts and crafting sites aren’t exactly shopping. It’s a mystery! Maybe you’ll help us come up with a better name for it?
I like blogs with very strong, narrow, perspectives and do trust their product recommendations. I’m thinking of Design Mom, Apartment Therapy, Z Recommends and their ilk. But in a personal blog I’m gonna say that less is more.
If you never talk about products and suddenly you jump out with “OMG I CAN’T BELIEVE I FOUND THE SPRAY HAIR GEL OF MY DREAMS FROM SUAVE” I actually will give it a look.
But not if you have bad hair.
(Seriously, there are bloggers trying to do fashion that should reeealllly stay away from it.)
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SuburbanKvetch replied:
July 29th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
@Mom101,
It’s the explosion of these personal review blogs/pages that I don’t get. I’m on the right side of bright, usually, but it just eludes me. I think of CMP as a site for interesting unusual stuff. I have looked there and found ideas for gifts - and I don’t have little kids. But it’s the everyday blogger with a personal opinion posing as an expert. Gives me chills. Not the good kind.
It is fascinating though - the trends and squabbles and groups and opinions.
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Selfish Mom replied:
July 30th, 2009 at 8:09 am
@SuburbanKvetch, I really don’t get it. Who better to give an opinion about a product than a real person using it in real life? When I’m trying to decide on whether to buy something, I usually make use of my online Consumer Reports subscription first. But from there, I look for reviews on Epinions, Amazon, personal blogs, wherever - I look at whatever comes up in google. I want to hear how the product did in someone’s real life and real routine. In the aggregate I can get a really good idea if a product is for me or not.
I look at “expert” reviews too, but the problem with those - and I’ve found this especially with tech and gadget reviews - is that the reviewers are just too familiar with similar products to give me a totally useful review. I want to know if a real person was able to figure things out from the instructions, get the thing turned on/installed/running, etc. Sometimes with expert reviews I feel like I’m reading a movie review from a film critic who sees 20 movies a week and compares everything to his favorite director from Burkina Faso. I want to read a movie review from a person more like me.
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SuburbanKvetch replied:
July 30th, 2009 at 8:49 am
@Selfish Mom,
“Regular” and “normal” are subjective and everyone’s ‘real life’ is different. If I put credence in a recommendation or review by a blogger it is because he or she has earned my respect and trust through time and excellence in content - usually regular, well-written blog posts. That is what connects me to someone.
And, just because I do not support review blogs doesn’t mean they’re not the new black. They just aren’t right for me.
By Blog Antagonist on Jul 29, 2009
I wish marketing and blogging had nothing to do with one another at all. But you know how I feel. Marketing has ruined the integrity and the purity of the blogopshere. That’s why you’ll never catch me at Blogher (well…one of many reasons). I think the original premise was a benign one, but ideas don’t always work out like they are supposed to. I feel like they’ve taken something humble and good and made into an Enterprise. A Buzz Word. A Cashcow.
ICK.
That said…I’m a careful consumer. I like to be informed before I buy. But there are resources for that sort of thing that are objective and transparent. I never read blog review posts with one exception…books.
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SuburbanKvetch replied:
July 29th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
@Blog Antagonist,
Ditto!
But, I love book reviews written by my favorite bloggers…why is why I’ve dipped into that as well. Which reminds me…I have one to write up in the next day or so!
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By J on Jul 29, 2009
I’m a bit confused as to why I should care about this issue. I love you and your blog, and I love Liz (@ Mom101) and her blog, but I haven’t yet figured out why I need to care about what other people put on their blogs. Review blogs? I couldn’t care less. If people writing reviews about stuff they get for free and don’t really care about hurts my blog, then maybe I’ll care. But it feels like people saying that a gay couple’s marriage would hurt my marriage. How? I’m far more pissed off at the idiots who hack my blog and make the google reader come up with viagra adds.
As I just said somewhere else, I kind of think the people (at least those I’ve seen) who are taking the pledge already blogged with integrity.
btw, I do write reviews, of whatever books I happen to be reading or movies I happen to be watching or restaurants I happen to go to. I think of it as something I would tell a friend. I make no money for it, and no free products, though honestly, I have no problem with people who do. Live and let live.
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SuburbanKvetch replied:
July 30th, 2009 at 6:26 am
@J,
You know I love the book, movie and restaurant posts on your blog. What prompted this post was a group email I received where people were asked “do you have a review blog?” — and the huge number of responses received with links to personal review blogs. I was shocked - it’s not something I read or that interests me, but obviously it’s a trend. Yes, it annoys me to be led to a link sometimes, but what is really baffling to me is the appeal of these sites.
That being said…I’m over it. You know why? I need to write a book review for my other blog. HA!
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By Nicole on Jul 30, 2009
I started a review blog because I have Blogher ads on my site…they don’t really make me money but bring a little traffic, which is for my own personal gratification, not money. I got a chance to go to Memphis and test drive a car, and they would not let me post about it, so I started a review blog. I do accept the occasional free product - I don’t really get offered much, in the single digits, although I am asked to post about 10 press releases a month, but I don’t respond to them. I have tried hair products for curly hair, books for me and my kids, a camera phone and digital frame (had to send back) - all things I was interested in. Didn’t get many readers, and I’m not out to collect tons of stuff believe me, but I won’t turn down something the kids or I are interested in.
If anyone ever offers me a trip to disney, a car or a washing machine (which will never happen) I’ll take it, at least until I find a dream job that pays more than I could ever use. Just recently I was offered a skateboard and I jumped at it, as my kids just started learning to skateboard and it’s a way to see how they do on this new type versus the ones I got them.
I’m in marketing myself, and I don’t really think I have enough readership to warrent free products, but if the companies want to give me something that I truly am interested in I’m willing to post an honest review. I would never cheat my readers or the companies, but I may not try to educate them that they won’t get there ROI out of me.
I’m trying to get my husband to start a soccer blog. He’s a professional coach and spends his own money on balls and equipment. I’d love it if he could get some of that stuff from companies as he really knows what the best tools are for training at different levels, and barely breaks even right now.
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SuburbanKvetch replied:
July 30th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
@Nicole,
I think you’re in the majority, Nicole. I just don’t understand who is going to read all the review blogs…but I guess that’s not my problem!
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By aimee @ smilingmama on Jul 30, 2009
This is a great post! I was starting to think I was the lone person in the blogosphere who didn’t review products. There are a few sites that I love and trust completely–Z recommends is one example. I also love Design Mom and other design sites that are very focused on beautiful, quality items.
The only reason I ever glance at other review sites is in hopes of winning a giveaway. I do love a giveaway! But, generally, I take their reviews with a large pinch of salt!
Several months ago, I started a feature on my blog called Favorite Things Friday where I talk about recipes, books, products, websites, etc. that I personally love. These are all things that I use and love and, if not free, then paid my own money for. But, I’ve gotten to the point of feeling like I need to add a huge disclaimer on them (or even wondering if I should stop the feature) because I’m worrying that people will discount my opinions thinking that I’m schilling for a company.
Sorry this comment got so long! Again, great post.
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SuburbanKvetch replied:
July 30th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
@aimee @ smilingmama,
I’ve reviewed books on my writing site, and two of those books I’ve gotten for free — which I clearly state. I also won’t review a book if I don’t like it — which is why I usually refer to those posts as recommendations. Because I’m happy to talk about a book I like!
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By Jamie on Jul 30, 2009
I think I am extra thick in all honesty I cannot wrap my mind around why this issue is a big deal….
If someone’s blog is strictly reviews or if a reader doesn’t feel that the reviews are truthful then don’t read that blog. Simple.
I could care less about celebrity gossip and you won’t find any blogs in my roll dedicated to that topic because I don’t care…..
I thought the whole idea of blogging was the freedom to have a platform to say / do what you want. If blogging for some is strictly about receiving free items then so be it and if you don’t want to read about that then don’t. Why must we make an issue out of everything??? I say leave people alone - let them review if they want and not if they don’t!!!
For the record I have done two or three reviews and I liked getting the free stuff - it was like a gift and I didn’t mind giving my honest opinion, 95% of my posts are about me, my thoughts and my life - not a heck of a lot more interesting I might add. I do have a couple of “review blogs” in my roll and if I am interested in the product if it pertains to me then I read the review, if not I close the window.
Well those are my thoughts for what they are worth…. great post by the way so well written!!!
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SuburbanKvetch replied:
July 30th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
@Jamie,
I know what you mean, I stay away from sites I don’t like too. I was just in awe of how many review blogs there are — because I received a list (of sorts) — and it threw me for a loop! Ok, that’s not hard to do, but whatever!
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