I think the biggest problem (and what these regs are designed to address) is when a review/post is presented as being a purely consumer review if it really isn't. This is why I'm always quite clear to distinguish "I bought this" from "I was sent this by the company/PR" when I write. A reader who comes across my blog can determine how much weight they give to each review accordingly - although if I think something is just okay, or not as good as x, I'll say so, even if it wasn't paid for, and if I'm totally meh about something I just don't feature it on my blog.
Being sent something isn't an obligation to review it, and if a PR is putting pressure on a blogger to review something in a certain way, I wouldn't want to have a relationship with that PR in any case. I blog for fun, and it should be that.
Totally agree, Grace. And thanks for this post. It's great to see what exactly is the law. I hope all the top gurus are aware of this law because they really carry a lot of power and influence over naive young viewers who may end up financially or emotionally hurt.
I think it's a really good move to have that regulation in place, as not every blogger knows that you're supposed to say whether something is bought or "sponsored" by a company. Most of my reviews are done using things I bought or gifts from friends, and I specify clearly if it's from a company. Getting freebies doesn't change my view about a product, if it's a dud then it's a dud...
5 comments:
I think the biggest problem (and what these regs are designed to address) is when a review/post is presented as being a purely consumer review if it really isn't. This is why I'm always quite clear to distinguish "I bought this" from "I was sent this by the company/PR" when I write. A reader who comes across my blog can determine how much weight they give to each review accordingly - although if I think something is just okay, or not as good as x, I'll say so, even if it wasn't paid for, and if I'm totally meh about something I just don't feature it on my blog.
Being sent something isn't an obligation to review it, and if a PR is putting pressure on a blogger to review something in a certain way, I wouldn't want to have a relationship with that PR in any case. I blog for fun, and it should be that.
Totally agree, Grace. And thanks for this post. It's great to see what exactly is the law. I hope all the top gurus are aware of this law because they really carry a lot of power and influence over naive young viewers who may end up financially or emotionally hurt.
http://clearlybeautiful.blogspot.com/
I think it's a really good move to have that regulation in place, as not every blogger knows that you're supposed to say whether something is bought or "sponsored" by a company. Most of my reviews are done using things I bought or gifts from friends, and I specify clearly if it's from a company. Getting freebies doesn't change my view about a product, if it's a dud then it's a dud...
I do hope that other bloggers will read this post and take note. Eventually the time will come when legally this will be put to the test.
Well said everyone. I agree! Will be interesting to see the long term impact of this legislation and the ongoing debate in blogsphere.
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