Ethical? Review sites giving bonus points for traffic back?

[gleem]

I'm not saying this was done, but is it ethical if it's disclosed on the review sites to the surfers that sites are given "bonus points" for prominent recip link placement or traffic back in the "other score" type of criteria part of the review.

[SteveHardeman]

LOL, have you seen what do to each other and our surfers?

Ethics waved bye-bye a long time ago.

This one is tiny IMHO.

[CaptainHowdy]

The demand of "ethics" around here is hilarious, sorry...

[gleem]

some of us still have biz ethics.

[MrPinks]

I wouldn't do this and I don't think it is ethical. Any proof of this? I know of one major review site that requires a link back. Do you consider that ethical?

[MrPinks]

A little off topic, but sweet looking sites Gleem. Hit me up for a review. No link back required.

[Choker]

Originally Posted by gleem

some of us still have biz ethics.

Yeah but come on man. I mean who cares, this is not a ethics issue this is just plain silly and should not be asked. I mean would you put text under a banner spot that says "This is the best porn site in the world" then lose sleep over it at night because you found a better porn site and are now lieing to your surfers? If your gonna be so honest why not tell surfers the truth............signing up and paying for porn is stupid when you can get all you need for free at the following tube sites........ I mean where does truth in advertising end?

[gleem]

Originally Posted by Choker

Y ..signing up and paying for porn is stupid when you can get all you need for free at the following tube sites........ I mean where does truth in advertising end?

That's a pretty shitty attitude and I don't think that will make me or anyone much money. I'm not going to throw this thread off with that discussion.

[gleem]

Originally Posted by MrPinks

I wouldn't do this and I don't think it is ethical. Any proof of this? I know of one major review site that requires a link back. Do you consider that ethical?

No proof at all, was just speculating based on something I can't discuss..

I think there's nothing wrong with requiring a link back, I think anyone with a paysite surely has some place they can toss a link up. I think if I ran a review site I would ask for it, but not require it, and I would give "extra marketing" efforts such as "featured reviews" to those that give me good link backs.

[matuloo]

I never required a link back from the sites I reviewed, but I am sick of seeing tours and webmaster areas flooded with buttons to other sites, but not to my pornadept.com, so from now on I am gonna require it too.

After all, I pay a reviewer to write the review and I send the paysite traffic for years, even if it doesnt make sales for me, they can still count on that traffic and hope for a returning customer that I wont get credit for. So I think its fair to ask for a recip in case the review site is getting some traffic.

As for offering extra points for a link back, it shouldnt be the case if you want to have honest unbiased reviews on your sites. But then again, any review is just an opinion of a reviewer, often of a non experienced reviewer, so the scores differ from site to site, an extra point here or there doesnt play a role.

[fatfoo]

It does make a better high quality site just because it links back.

[fuzebox]

I've never considered review sites to be impartial, but rather just another traffic source

[DWB]

It happens. Some also take $ for top reviews and placement. Most of the reviews are running a business like the rest of us and it has nothing to do with real reviews.

[urbanpimp]

Originally Posted by gleem

some of us still have biz ethics.

Many people would argue that producing and selling porn is unethical.
Who the fuck are you to determine what is ethical? What gives you the right to impose your "values" on any one?

[Supz]

Originally Posted by fuzebox

I've never considered review sites to be impartial, but rather just another traffic source

I agree. People dont build review sites because they porn surfers to know what is good and what is not. They do it to make sales and money. Just like any other kind of site out there. Ofcourse if you want bookmarkers and people to trust your reviews. Being as close to the truth as possible is great. But they are still running a business.

[signupdamnit]

Not fully related but the back links to review sites from a sponsor is one thing which tends to piss me off. It has made me dislike a lot of review sites.