Well, SponsoredReviews got back to me fairly quickly and as it turns out, they do mention both of the first two issues in their rules. Just not the rules I was able to easily find. I was given this link, and in this list they do mention that you aren’t allowed to advertise your prices if they are less than 25% lower than the price listed on their site. I was wrong there.
They also state that:
- Reviews cannot contain in-text advertising (e.g., Kontera) or sponsored links other than those of the advertiser, unless otherwise specified by the advertiser. Advertisers do not want to see links competing for clicks on the review that they are paying for.
While I don’t think the “business” links qualify since I gave that away as a prize, that’s a very fine line and one that I probably shouldn’t have walked. I’m not sure whether I just missed that section or whether this is an updated version the Getting Started Guide but I wasn’t able to find it without a direct link.
That brings us to the third and in my opinion most important point. SponsoredReviews has said they won’t be refunding the money but would prefer if I were a bit more tactful with my criticisms in the future. While I don’t have to “spin” it, they have suggested that there was probably a better way to convey my thoughts (most likely without the sarcasm as Tim mentioned in the comments to the last post).
With all that being said, much of my faith has been restored in SponsoredReviews and they are still my paid review site of choice. While I don’t think I was out of line, they also have to balance the advertisers desires with that of the publishers and that’s probably not an easy balancing act. I will continue to use their site and suggest anyone interested in making money blogging do so as well. I mean all’s well that ends well right?
Author: Ben
Updated: May, 2012
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Hi Ben,
Have you use PayPerPost? If so, what are your assessment for both of them and why do you prefer Sponsered Post?
Nice work being able to admit partial fault when required Ben.
The point about the contextual links will throw a spanner in the works of your advertising option wont it? You’ll have to be careful to avoid those words in the reviews I imagine.
Ben, well, maybe SponsoredReviews is back in the graces of your mind but I don’t think InkShop is in mine? Here is the email I received from them about one hour ago (5am U.S. CT).
———————–
“Notice you’ve decided to ignore our email.
Not requesting a refund nor did we contact SponsoredReviews for a refund.
Please either remove the review.
Or Remove this section…..
“Any readers from across the pond, I wouldn’t suggest using Laser-Toner.co.uk for your ink needs. They might in fact be a quality company, but their website …”"
Previously stated Laser-Toner.co.uk is still undergoing updates.
Thank you,
Carol
InkShop.co.uk
——————————-
Now granted this was sent to me, not you, but their original email to you was below that in the “original message”.
I never once contacted them, nor did I write the review (obviously), so what are they doing, going around to all your posted comments and spamming them or what? Scott
@Ben – Screw SponsoredReviews, make them walk the plank…Oh wait this is the wrong blog for that, nevermind. Good job admitting when your wrong. I guess you can file this under the what not to do section of the bloggingexperiment.
Well, that page is apparently only available to logged in members. I get redirected to the home page. And the “read more” page for potential writers only says this:
1. Reviews must be written according to the terms set by the advertiser.
2. Constructive criticism is encouraged, however, reviews that are hateful or non-constructive will not be accepted.
3. Reviews must be permanent and archived.
4. Disclosure that the review is sponsored is mandatory.
And the User Agreement/Terms and Conditions says nothing about the content of the reviews.
Seems to me they should disclose all their rules up front and publicly.
I don’t see what was wrong with the review. The company should clean up their website.
I haven’t tried SponsoredReviews yet fully since I didn’t like the bidding thing. The bidding takes too long, plus SR gave my blog a very low value ($5), so the max I could bid was $5, which is pretty bad. Anyways, how has been your experience of SR so far Ben?
@ Ruchir
If you search around on this site or over at http://www.seorefugee.com on the blog you will find that Ben is a fan.
He has mentioned a few times that he prefers them to all review sites. Hope that helps.
Tim
How did you find SponsoredReviews, and why do you like it better than all the others that are out there? I’m just wondering, cause I’ve looked around at those, and most of them either make you start out at a few dollars until you’ve done a lot, or seem to have something fishy about them to me.
Thanks!
Tyler
Ps. I like your blog
Seems like Sponsored Reviews don’t want to lose a valuable customer like you
-Mike
They are creating too much noise, and apparently I learned that SponsoredReviews is something I will never be using. You are being paid to write a review and not to promote a site, other ways it would have been “SponsoredPromotion” the name of the company.
After all Ben, i think you should pick another company that doesn’t dictate how to write the reviews, I have to agree tho with SponsoredReviews about competitive links within a review (but makes no sense if using Kontera).
Hope all gets solved and you can find another and better home.
I don’t understand why SR emailed someone else about this. What’s that all about?
Angel, they didn’t, the person who purchased the review did. I’m not sure why, I guess she must have thought that chipseo.com was somehow involved since I also have an SEO site? Not really clear on that one.
Hi Ben,
I would really like you to do a review on Sponsored Review. Or have you done it somewhere on this site?
What make it your favorite paid reviews site?