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Originally Posted by AmateurFlix
This industry is different from those you've mentioned above; the reviewers are typically not also the retailers for any of those items.
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I already agreed that the way online porn review sites monetize themselves is unorthodox. But it is a near semantic difference, since "traditional" media earn their money by selling advertising space to many of those they review and/or their competitors. Both business models depend for their income upon the industry upon which they comment.
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Originally Posted by AmateurFlix
This industry is also in a relatively early stage and the manufacturers (sponsors) are in a position to be able to control the methods by which their sites are promoted, although many do not do so. My point is that they should, it would make this industry more profitable overall or at least keep it profitable, instead of allowing it to slide into some pit of competing for the lowest common denominator.
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There we part company entirely. Not only are you grossly exaggerating the impact of review sites, but doing a King Canute is never a very productive exercise. I seriously doubt anyone will ever tailor their sites for good reviews - they will simply enjoy the good ones and regret the bad - but if they did, logically the consequence would be to raise standards, not seem them "slide into some pit of competing for the lowest common denominator".
It's really very simple. When I first started writing about cars, I went along to a US car importer and explained I wanted to borrow one to test. He asked me what I was going to write and I answered that I would have no idea until after I had driven the car. He then asked why he should loan me a car if perhaps I would write negatively about it. I replied that I was going to test the car anyway. I could get one from a rental agency and find out the technical information from other sources. I told him that he could not influence what I wrote, but he could make sure I had my facts straight and provide me a car which was set up properly and would give me the best impression possible.
The specific details are obviously different in our business, but the basic principle still applies. Even though a site is not guaranteed a good review, it is much better to work with reviewers rather than attempt to shut them out.