A Pair of Panties and Boxers

• Melvin

  Very interesting! I was just contacted by them last week & thought the same like you. It looked like they wanted to sponsor a post…

• adventurouskate

  It makes me upset when prominent travel bloggers resort to sketchy tactics. Ignoring you for weeks, then pretending you're buds when they need a link. Implying that work is their own when it clearly isn't. Even posting poorly written crap entries. You didn't get your readers that way; why do it now?

  I admit that I've received payment for a few posts without explicitly stating so, but those were simply “write whatever you want, throw in a link anywhere and we'll pay you some cash.” I threw them into posts I was already working on. I probably should have credited them. :-/ But what you're describing sounds BEYOND outrageous!

• http://www.MonkeyBrewster.com/ Cornelius Aesop

  Hmm interesting indeed, while I don't get anything more than link exchange offers at this point in my blogging career this does spark a few questions. Is AdBeans reputable, as in did they really pay these bloggers for this post or did they just gather a few posts from popular 'insert genre here' blogs hoping to encourage you to buy into their program with a mentality of – if they did it I should too. And if so is the amount enough that it should be noteworthy that they were indeed paid for that post, or should that even matter.

• jen laceda

  Good on you for not accepting!

• http://twitter.com/Brendanvanson Brendan van Son

  I wish someone would sponsor my posts hahashaha

• monica530

  I'm glad I wasn't the only one who misunderstood their initial email. I'm sure they just did an email blast to a list of blogger contacts they had.

• monica530

  I know! The “I'll get back to you when I need you” attitude is so despicable! I understand that life gets in the way and people become busy but I always try to respond to all my emails and comments. If someone takes the time out to write something FOR you, you should give them the same respect back. It's just common decency.

• http://twitter.com/chriswotton Chris Wotton

  I don't know anything about FTC guidelines (I'm not from the US) but I know if it was me, while I might not say no to sponsored posts, I would definitely mark it quite clearly as a sponsored post – rules aside, openness and honesty like that goes a long way and is appreciated by readers who know they can trust you and equally know when they need to be careful how they read what you're saying. And frankly, if the sponsor didn't want such disclosure, I'd turn down the offer.

  This might be of some interest to you, by the way – apparently it even extends beyond blogs to things like Facebook fan pages of celebrities… http://mashable.com/2009/10/05/ftc-blogger-endo...

  Chris

• monica530

  Those are all really good questions Cornelius. I'm going to do a follow up post and hope that it addresses all your questions because they are all very valid and I would like to know as well what the travel/blogging community thinks of it.

• http://www.baconismagic.ca Ayngelina

  Wow, the most shocking thing is that it's not that hard to say this is a sponsored post, or whatever the relationship is.
  Coming from an advertising background, I don't mind sponsored posts, it's usually for things I would be interested in anyway, but I think bloggers owe it to their readers to be truthful about it. I'll still read the post anyway.

• monica530

  Haha – would you like me to foward you the email address for this Adbean rep? You have to promise me that you tell us how much you're being paid though.

• monica530

  Thanks for the link Chris. I'm not against sponsored posts either. I understand this is how some bloggers make a living and I absolutely agree with you. Bloggers should explicitly state when their content is sponsored.

  I work in social media and I can tell how much a different it makes when bloggers are transparent and honest. Their readers and audience appreciate it much, much more.

• monica530

  You're absolutely right. Something so simple as stating that this is a sponsered post should not be left undone. It takes two seconds to clarify that. I do not understand why some people don't do it.

• keithjenkins

  I'm not against sponsored posts but I do agree that a disclosure should be included. That said, FTC rules only apply to US-based blogs or if the company that has provided compensation is US-based so, ethics aside, there's nothing wrong with not providing a disclosure if the blogger/client aren't based in the US. Oh well…

• http://twitter.com/OverYonderlust Erica Kuschel

  There are a few high profile bloggers that I swear are ignoring me lol – but at that point I think its given me inspiration to be more successful.

  This is a really troubling post. While I'm not sure what I think about sponsored posts (I'm sure it will change if the situation arises), but its definitely interesting to learn about blogging ethics and the FTC.

• http://travelsofadam.com Adam

  Whoa. I'm a big fan of following the rules! I've definitely turned down offers just because I didn't think they felt right. And I don't believe there's anything lost by disclosing a post as sponsored. Everyone knows it happens so it doesn't hurt to just be up front & honest.

• budgettraveller

  As long as content is relevant and of interest to my readers I am game for sponsored posts. But simply publishing what they say with links is a big no no- bad practice and frankly I think Google would heavily penalise blogs , damage SEO that carried posts with more or less the same worded content? Am I right guys?

  I would edit the post to suit my blog style and of course state that this is a 'sponsored post': why hide?

  I have been having a rant about this but its fair bloggers to be compensated for sponsored posts but not worth selling your reputation down the gutter by simply publishing whats been sent to them……

  Kash aka @budgettraveller

• http://www.twobackpackers.com/ Two Backpackers

  We have also been offered this deal. We said no because they pay you very little, mostly hyping the content. We received travel blogger websites that were prominent as examples using their service. These bloggers were not disclosing that they were sponsored articles. It sometimes easy to identify these articles. They are well written, contain many links, contain photos and are usually list type articles. If you are following a specific blogger then you know where he or she has been. You know their writing style and you know what they typically write about. If a reader doesn't respect that behavior they can simply choose to not follow them. However, it would be a more simple task if the blogger disclosed the article's source. It's difficult to make monet blogging and we each have our own methods. I think it depends on your business and personal goals and what you have promised your readers. I wouldn't call them tainted. Maybe misleading, or in my own personal opinion, they have choosen a revenue stream different than mine.

  I am glad you raised this topic. It's a good discussion piece for both producers of content and readers.

• monica530

  That's interesting. I wasn't aware that the FTC was only applied to US-based bloggers. Thanks for brining this up Keith.

• keithjenkins

  It is, after all, a US law. If I'm not mistaken, there are similar laws in the European Union but they pertain more to misleading advertising on blogs and I don't think they're as stringent as the FTC Blog Rules.

• http://www.wild-about-travel.com/ Simon

  Great post, Monica. And raising very interesting comments. Transparency is crucial to build trust and blogs, which owe quite a bit of their success to being independent, could be very negatively affected. I have nothing against sponsored articles – most of time related to cash earnings or paid trips. I just believe it would be honest to say how things are. Then, it's up to the reader to decide…

• monica530

  I agree. I am not against sponsored posts either. I will read the blog post regardless if it interests me. I've done a little bit of research and Google does penalize you for linking to sites for SEO purposes however, if you keep it to 5% of your blog content then it will not stand out as much. But even so, I feel like it's unfair to your readers.

• monica530

  The article that was pre-written for me to be posted as a sponsored post was in a list format with links and photos for each bullet and so were all of the examples of work this representative have done before with the other travel bloggers.

  The bloggers should have specified that it was a sponsored post but they didn't. If I didn't recieve this email from Adbeans.com, I would have never known and assumed that it was original content from the blogger. There are so many travel writers out there it's hard to keep up with everyone's blogs and become familiar with their writing style. If I drop by a blog every so often, I would not have been able to tell the difference between their original content and something that was pre-written for them.

• monica530

  I don't think the blogger loses anything either if they say that it's a sponsored post either. I'd still read it if it piques my interest. Honesty is the best policy.

• monica530

  I absolutely agree. We are all capable of making our own decisions. It's only fair to your readers that you are honest with them, especially because they take the time out to read and visit your blog. You should give them the same respect and be transparent about content that is not yours.

• http://twitter.com/LandLopers LandLopers

  Wow, I'm honestly surprised. I have no problem with people doing sponsored posts, but 1) to not write them yourself and 2) to not disclose the fact it was sponsored is just not right. Regardless of legal responsibilities, there are ethical issues to consider.

• http://twitter.com/LandLopers LandLopers

  Wow, I'm honestly surprised. I have no problem with people doing sponsored posts, but 1) to not write them yourself and 2) to not disclose the fact it was sponsored is just not right. Regardless of legal responsibilities, there are ethical issues to consider.

• http://www.stayadventurous.wordpress.com/ craig zabransky

  Wow, you certainly gave full disclosure here… Well almost…you didn't name names.

  Anyways, seriously, thanks. Yes, thank you for opening the topic for discussion and commentary. I really appreciate everyone's insight. FTC guidelines or not, you need to be you. We get mad, when an actor or rock star sells out…we don't need the public turning on the industry when the popular travel bloggers do it.

  stay adventurous,
  Craig

• http://www.theinnocentabroad.com Melissa Stanford

  It's only required to put a disclosure policy if you're American. If you are living abroad or your hosting is not in America, the FTC has no authority to enforce the law. However, I agree people should at least be honest. Most people are smart enough to know bloggers get paid to advertise; transparency about the subject means you trust your audience. Hiding your payment means you are afraid of them. That's my take anyway.

• kirstenalana

  Since I am pretty new to travel writing (though not traveling) this is hard for me to weigh in on from an experience standpoint. From a moral standpoint, and as a consumer though – yes, I would respect those more who disclose fully than those who do not.

• monica530

  I'm not sure if they wrote the posts themselves or not. When Adbeans.com sent me the post they wanted me to sponsor, it was all written up with photos and hyperlinks already in place.

• monica530

  That is very true. I feel that it's a little disrespectful to not reveal something like this to your readers. They take the time out to read your post, visit your blog and leave thoughtful comments. It should be common decency that you are transparent and honest to them.

• monica530

  Thanks for clarifying Melissa. i wasn't sure what the exact requirements are for being considered a US base blogger and I absolutely agree with your last statement about hiding payment from your readers.

• monica530

  I do too. It doesn't take anything away from you as a blogger if you disclose sponsored posts. I just don't fully understand why some bloggers don't do it.

• http://www.artofbackpacking.com Michael (ArtofBackpacking.com)

  This actually makes me angry with many travel bloggers. I respond to ALL emails, tweets, etc no matter the request. I find it very unprofessional to write simple emails without writing it properly. If in fact the person is busy, a proper kind email is what should be sent. I don't understand the high ego some travel bloggers have. Ah well this was an off topic rant heh.

• http://www.artofbackpacking.com Michael (ArtofBackpacking.com)

  This actually makes me angry with many travel bloggers. I respond to ALL emails, tweets, etc no matter the request. I find it very unprofessional to write simple emails without writing it properly. If in fact the person is busy, a proper kind email is what should be sent. I don't understand the high ego some travel bloggers have. Ah well this was an off topic rant heh.

• http://www.artofbackpacking.com Michael (ArtofBackpacking.com)

  Eeexaccttlly!

• http://www.artofbackpacking.com Michael (ArtofBackpacking.com)

  Eeexaccttlly!

• kirstenalana

  agreed!

• kirstenalana

  agreed!

• driftingfocus

  I got that offer as well, and turned it down. I've gotten several similar offers in the past, and have turned them down because really, it's not all that advantageous for me as a blogger. The SEO is good for them, but not me.

• http://andyhayes.com Andy Hayes

  They are lucky they got a response from you. I get so many of these every week it would be impossible to reply to all of them. (Professional ones do get a reply though – I’m not a total jerk!)

• Candicewalsh

  I've worked with Adbeans a few times for link exchanges, they're aight. As for the sponsored post thing, I have one coming up but I plan to give full disclosure. I'd normally reject them but this one felt like it fitted my recent situation in NYC perfectly.

  Hmm, may have to question the whole thing though.

• backpackingmatt

  I turned down their offer – not necessarily because I'm against the idea of a sponsored post, more because it is essentially the same as selling a permanent text link. When you consider what a text link can bring in on a monthly basis, it's financially foolish. Not that I won't consider one in the future, however I sure wouldn't make a habit of it. If it's well written and most importantly beneficial to my readers, it's all the more well considered.

  Great idea running this post and putting the issue out there. I wouldn't stop with the post myself, I'd hang the dishonest bloggers out to dry – more importantly, see what they have to say about the issue. Running a paid post without disclosure is dishonest and goes against everything we should stand for as online, travel journalists.

• http://andyhayes.com Andy Hayes

  Thanks for being so open with your experiences! I've had a similar experience, though not with Adbeans but someone else.

  I personally don't think articles like this need disclosure, because the publisher is being paid for a backlink, not to write nice things about a particular experience. In my case, my “sponsored posts” (your words, not mine) don't have a disclosure – the content is mine (a rewrite) and well, my disclosure policy doesn't cover links. Given the Google rules on paid links, I wouldn't want Mr G. to think anything untoward was going on

• http://www.intelligenttravelblog.com Marilyn Terrell

  This is disturbing. Thank you Monica for bringing it up. Regardless of FTC guidelines, it seems to me unethical to publish other people's posts in exchange for money without acknowledging that to your readers. Interesting conversation here.

• monica530

  That's absolutely true. I'm surprised these advertisers don't even bother to at least offer something slightly advantageous to me as a blogger. I guess they think that money is good enough because I was offered cash for the post.

• monica530

  Honestly, it's really not about Adbeans and what they do. It's more about the travel bloggers and what they didn't do. I would still read your post even if you stated that it was a sponsored post. If it piques my interest, it doesn't matter. As long as you wrote the original content.

• monica530

  Oh, I'm not against sponsored posts either. I'm just not kosher about the fact that these travel bloggers didn't disclose to their readers that it was a sponsored post and that they were compensated for it. But then again, I am only assuming that they were compensated because I was offered money in exchange for publishing their post.

  Haha – I don't really want to put the travel bloggers on blast because I'm sure they are nice people. They just happened to not disclose a sponsored post. I don't want to ruin their reputation or anything but I guess this will teach others to not always take what they see for face value. Gotta use that noggin'.

• monica530

  I don't have a disclosure policy either but I have no problem revealing to my readers when a post is sponsored. I have yet to do one but that's because I feel like the ones I've received aren't really relevant to my audience and it doesn't sit well with me.

  As long as the written post is your words, that's totally fine but if you just copied & pasted what the advertiser sent you to post and you don't tell your readers, that's a no-no.

• monica530

  Thanks for commenting Marilyn. It makes me question blog posts now that I've come across something like this.

• adventurouskate

  Okay! I did it! I went back to my two old “write whatever you want, just stick a link to us in there and we'll pay you” posts and added “This post was sponsored by _____” to the bottom of each one. SO MUCH GUILT! BUT MY HANDS ARE NOW CLEAN! Thanks, Monica, for allowing me to clear my conscience.

• http://www.jcdaydream.com James Cole

  Wow, I'm really torn on this one.
  Personally I believe in honesty and integrity and I live my life with this in mind. I wouldn't actually endorse anything I didn't personally like regardless of payment. If I was paid to say that something was good and I really thought it wasn't, that is just dishonest regardless of weather it is stated that I'd been paid to say it or not. However, if I endorse something and believe and stand by every claim I make, what difference does it make if I tell you that I got paid for it as well. It would actually make you feel like I was only saying such things as a result of payment.
  Then there's the case of free speech. I believe that the internet should be free. This means that people should be allowed to say whatever they want on their own websites. The thing about free speech is that to truly have it, you have to let everyone say whatever they want even if you don't like it.
  It's a shame that people are dishonest and lack integrity. However I feel maintaining the fabric of freedom is far more important and rules and fines being made about the way we speak and communicate, is just one step closer to the pit of an Orwellian future where we'll all be forced to say whatever the enforcers want us to.

• monica530

  Haha – yay Kate! I'm so proud of you. <333

• monica530

  Haha – yay Kate! I'm so proud of you. <333

• monica530

  Haha – yay Kate! I'm so proud of you. <333

• monica530

  I agree with the the Orwellian part. We see that too frequently in the real world with our government and the media spewing only the things they want us to know and here. However, I think this situation is slightly different.

  Yes, travel bloggers should have the freedom to say what they want to say but these travel bloggers didn't say or disclose anything about their sponsored posts. Infrequent or first time visitors would not be able to distinguish a blogger's original content from a sponsored post.

• monica530

  I agree with the the Orwellian part. We see that too frequently in the real world with our government and the media spewing only the things they want us to know and here. However, I think this situation is slightly different.

  Yes, travel bloggers should have the freedom to say what they want to say but these travel bloggers didn't say or disclose anything about their sponsored posts. Infrequent or first time visitors would not be able to distinguish a blogger's original content from a sponsored post.

• monica530

  I agree with the the Orwellian part. We see that too frequently in the real world with our government and the media spewing only the things they want us to know and here. However, I think this situation is slightly different.

  Yes, travel bloggers should have the freedom to say what they want to say but these travel bloggers didn't say or disclose anything about their sponsored posts. Infrequent or first time visitors would not be able to distinguish a blogger's original content from a sponsored post.

• http://www.gooverseas.com/ dunklea

  I would have to disagree with you here. Disclosing the fact that you are being paid to endorse a product and express views that might not necessarily be your own is not a matter of free speech. It's the law.

  I think many bloggers wrongly fear that their readers will stop reading their blog when they start endorsing products. This is the wrong approach and I think most people here would agree that disclosing endorsement information in fact engenders trust and blog loyalty.

• http://www.jcdaydream.com James Cole

  The point I was trying to make is that if you endorse something and express views that you use or like something purely because you're being paid to say that, and you don't actually use or like the product or service, then clearly you have no integrity as a person. If you have no integrity as a person, you're not going to be bothered about disclosing the fact that you were paid to say it in the first place.

  If you do Genuinely like or use a product and the views you are expressing are your own, then why should you disclose that you also received money. That would then just make people dismiss you as a sell-out and that the only reason you are saying this is because you got paid.

  I have products that I'm planning to endorse on my blog. I'm doing this because I genuinely like them and want to promote them as useful products. Now one of the companies has gotten wind of this and has offered me free products. Should I have to disclose this and potentially weaken my view of endorsement when I was already planning on writing about the products anyway?

  The fact that it is law, proves my point exactly about it being a matter of free speech. The law or government should never dictate what a person can and cannot say, even if we don't like what is being said.

• http://www.jcdaydream.com James Cole

  If these bloggers don't back what they are saying in their endorsements, then I don't agree with what they are doing from a moral standpoint. However, to make it a law to say or not to say something is going too far.

  Unfortunately with the whole concept of freedom, it means that we have to put up with those that will abuse it. However, in a free world, never forget that you too are free to say what you want and out these bloggers for the dishonourable people that they are and make the public aware. When they know that those of us with integrity won't tolerate their actions and it begins to hurt them in the form of fewer hits on their blogs, maybe they'll think twice before doing it again.

• Tommy Rocket

  I agree with James 100%… that is one of the big, and I mean BIG problems with the world today; there are too many laws being made to inhibit our fundamental freedom of speech and even our thinking. These laws are in place to control and control leads to ultimate disaster, because eventually, people become aware that they have little of no freedom left, and often it is too late to do anything about it except revolt against it in the most aggressive manner. It may seem like a small or trivial point, but add all the small and trivial points together and you will discover an alarming and unsettling truth about the path we are all being led down. I am OK if you decide to brand me a paranoid conspiracist, I am OK if you want to shoot me down in flames because I might have offended your ego, but when it all comes undone, just remember I said so.

  Just because something is 'Law' does not make it right!

  If a law was past that anyone with green eyes should be shot, would it be right?! You scoff and laugh, but in history, such absurd laws have actually existed.

  The one thing that sets us aside from every other creature on this Earth, is our 'Creative Imagination' and that alone compels our basic need and desire to have freedom of thought and speech. Take that away and we are no more than a herd of cows.
  If you are OK living like a herd cows merrily marching off to be slaughtered, then by all means, stick your head in the sand, pretend the issue does not exist and be complacent about everything that others in control dictate to you about how you should live and have a happy short life.

• http://www.baconismagic.ca Ayngelina

  Yeah I think you should be honest and say that you received free product after they found out. As a reader I don't mind knowing that you're getting something out of it. But I would rather know. It doesn't weaken the argument to be honest

• http://www.youtube.com/Tolokyo Philip Cotsford

  Really interesting thread of comments.
  Personally I'm a nothing in the blogging world, but in video blogging it's also a big issue. Many vloggers have been accused of working on sponsor payrolls without telling everyone (like iJustine with Apple products), but then others (like OlgaKay and WheezyWaiter with Ford Fiesta) state it very openly. In general, the basic reaction seems to be extremely lash-back if people feel like they're being duped, but its rare that people question it. And then often the lash-back just acts as free advertising for the creator. I think some people would actually hope for the viewers to get angry and make a fuss – drama always brings in more views.

  But on a side note – just followed a Twitter link to this blog post. Does this fit what you're talking about?
  http://beersandbeans.com/2010/07/18/hostelbooke...

• http://www.backpack45.blogspot.com Susan "Backpack45" Alcorn

  I believe in following the FTC rules, and have always (as far as I can remember!) disclosed any freebies. It's an ethical thing. I don't see any reason not too, in fact, I think it adds to the writer's credibility. I don't have any sponsored blog posts.
  As far as credibility, although I am a travel writer, and am offered press trips on occasion, I only take them when I feel there is a good match between my interests (chiefly hiking and backpacking) and the destination. For some reason, most resorts and other tourist destinations don't focus on the needs and desires of backpackers LOL.

• monica530

  Thanks for stopping by Philip. I checked out that link you posted and it look exactly like the sponsor post links Adbeans.com sent me as examples. I don't know for sure if this person from Beers and Beans is sponsoring an advertising but it looks a bit sketchy to me.

• monica530

  Haha…hmm, I wonder why. Thanks for your comment Susan. I feel like following the FTC rules are so simple to do. Not doing it just makes a blogger look shady, which leads me to question all the materials they've ever published.

• Pam/Nerd's Eye View

  There are two things happening here.

  1. Disclosure. One ought to disclose sponsored content (she says, in weirdly fussy English). It's the right thing to do. And like all your commenters have said, it's SO easy. “Sponsored post.” Done and done.
  2. Violation of trust. This is the big one, isn't it? You find out bloggers you previously respected are running sponsored content unlabeled or committing other cardinal sins of writing, and that's it, it's over.

  On the disclaimer thing, I do want to note that sometimes, I hammer out a story that's sort of peripheral to the sponsored “thing” I did. I met a guy somewhere on a sponsored trip, he told me a story, I'm passing that experience along. I have forgotten, in those cases, to label the post as something that came about as the result of a sponsored trip — it's not a review, it's not a “service” piece, it's some oddball event that captured my imagination. I don't feel like I'm violating anyone's trust in this case — I'm not telling anyone to DO anything or setting them up, but it is good policy to cover your backside.

  Sometimes I worry that there are writers/publishers cranking stuff out that don't really think much of us as readers. We should stop reading them. That's the most effective response.

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• SoloFriendly

  This might be an Adbeans things, I can't say for sure, but I do know that representatives from Hostelbookers have been reaching out to lots of us travel bloggers to help publicize their summer of love sale. I didn't do so on such an extensive scale as this article, but I do like to pass along information to my readers that will help them save money on lodging when they travel, so I included a brief blurb about it last week in my roundup. I wasn't paid to write about it. So I wouldn't assume this person was either.

• http://www.theroadforks.com Akila

  Hilarious because I just got an email from them and I emailed back and said that we don't do guest posts or advertising currently. I didn't realize exactly what she was requesting until just now.

• monica530

  I absolutely agree. I haven't taken a sponsored trip yet but I remember putting in a plug for TOMSShoes here and there. But I did it because I'm genuinely a huge fan of theirs and what they do for underprivileged children. I'm glad you mentioned it because I didn't even think of that predicament.

  I often feel like after travel bloggers make it “big” as in they start getting paid for ads. That's when these bloggers focus more on the money than on the readers that helped them get there. Money makes it easy to lose sight of these things.

• monica530

  It does add to the writer's credibility. It shows that you're honest, transparent and most importantly, that you respect the trust of your readers.

  I could be wrong but I have a feeling that hiking and backpacking doesn't rake in as much money as a trip to Italy. It's still a popular activity but dollar-wise, we spend less on hiking and backpacking than we do in Italy. It might be because they don't have the budget to offer these sponsored trips in return.

• monica530

  Haha so it wasn't just me who misunderstood their first email. I think it was a little mislead on their part the way the phrased certain things. It really sounded like to me they wanted me to put up guest posts written by other guest bloggers who don't have the time to reach out to other's to ask if they want a guest post from them.

• Jenneil

  Kudos to you for doing the right thing.

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• http://www.trailofants.com Ant Stone

  I’ve got no problem with Sponsored Posts if they’re declared. I see it like an advertorial in a magazine. I’ve never run one though, simply because there hasn’t been a decent one that has crossed my path. But for instance, if a brand like Moleskine approached me with a great reader offer embedded in excellent copy, I’d probably think “You know what, my readers would see some value in this.”

  Also, I don’t really see why we don’t uncover the top bloggers who are doing this — after all, it’s those people that are setting the precedent for the entire community. In the meantime, their unethical practises strengthen their lofty position.

  Blogs are so often compared to print — if a magazine ran an advert disguised as editorial copy, they’d be called out, and lose respect among advertisers and readers alike.

• http://www.trailofants.com Ant Stone

  I've got no problem with Sponsored Posts if they're declared. I see it like an advertorial in a magazine. I've never run one though, simply because there hasn't been a decent one that has crossed my path. But for instance, if a brand like Moleskine approached me with a great reader offer embedded in excellent copy, I'd probably think “You know what, my readers would see some value in this.”

  Also, I don't really see why we don't uncover the top bloggers who are doing this — after all, it's those people that are setting the precedent for the entire community. In the meantime, their unethical practises strengthen their lofty position.

  Blogs are so often compared to print — if a magazine ran an advert disguised as editorial copy, they'd be called out, and lose respect among advertisers and readers alike.

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