First it comes as a request for a product review with (innocent) hints of link here or there. Next it becomes a request for specific (suggested) keywords within links. Thats not too much to ask for. Is it? Could it hurt or Would it hurt? Should I just do it because they are giving a sample product?
Don’t think that marketers are doing a favor by giving you a sample product to review. Of course, they are getting your review but more importantly your vote in the form of a link telling Google that you vote for their site. Do you really want to vote for that site? or you just wanted to review the product?
In the Google economy, links carry a lot of weight. Among other factors, Google considers incoming links to determine how high a page gets listed on the search results. The marketers are truly getting a bargain when they get links (and your review and advertising space) by just giving away a free sample. And if you are already an established blogger your links count for much more. So, think again when some one asks for a link.
(reprinted from mommyniri)
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Great advice! hum…more to think about with reviews/products: disclaimers taxes, critism. Is anything simple anymore?
Good advice! You should be a blogging consultant, Papa.
Thank you so much for this info. I always wondered why they needed me to use “certain” key word links for a review. I’ll be smarter for the next time a company asks me to do this.
Thanks for posting this … great info! Diane
Like I was telling Niri, I’ve been getting a few PR pitches using pitchengine.com and not sure how their program works. They do offer product sample and they so sound similar to what you’re talking about! Is it fishy? Should I turn them down right away? Thanks!