Since I’m writing product reviews and hosting advertising, I wanted to clarify a few standards. I intend to make most of the advertising revenue from advertising that is independent of my review content such as automated contextual ad services (like Google or Yahoo Ads) or text link ads sold by a 3rd party broker. My guiding rule is the Golden One - treat my readers the way I want to be treated. That doesn’t mean not accepting advertising; it does mean being objective in my writing and open about my relationship with advertisers. Here are some specific standards:
I won’t:
- Write a positive review because something was given to me including a free sample, a cash payment, etc.
- Include affiliate links unless they are clearly labeled. There is one exception - most book reviews will include a link to Amazon.com for that book
- Accept any payment, sample or inducement of any sort without clearly identifying it in the review.
I will:
- Write my honest opinion of everything I commit to review. If someone sends me a sample to review, I will review it whether I like it or not.
- Include the positive points of items that I don’t personally like and the negatives of items I’m crazy about. One man’s trash is another’s treasure, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, etc.
- Disclose any payment, free samples, etc. received for any product or service I review.
- Strive to provide enough information for a reader to make an informed decision as to whether he (or she) will want the product or service and not have to rely on my opinion alone.
