When brands use blogs....

[BadgersArse]

Its so OBVIOUS. and if the brand actually promotes them on their website its even MORE annoying.

I don't like it when bloggers go commercial, as it makes them loose sight of what the blog was originally about.

Yep, especially grim when it's denied. The regulations have recently changed re declaring paid promotions and whatnot on blogs and YouTube but it still happens and you can see it a mile off when every blogger/youtuber is promoting the same thing and then they forget all about it despite declaring it "HOLY GRAIL!!" a week/month before. They must think we came down in the last shower

this is a real pet peeve of mine - it's so insulting to the reader...

Classic examples for me are beauty blogs and benefit, the body shop etc (the list is endless!)

It used to annoy me too but it seems that blogs are being much more widely used for advertising now so I just live with it.

All very well for adults, dexter but what about the bloggers like Zoella who appeal to younger teens and tweens ? Can that audience recognise the difference between a genuine recommendation and a cynical marketing opportunity? These bedroom bloggers create a false sense of intimacy through their blogs and vlogs and our children trust their opinions. Is it fair for them to exploit that with deliberately vague info re advertising?

I appreciate that there is a parental responsibility to inform children that all on the net isn't as it seems and also that blogging etc is a legitimate income stream and people have to make money somehow but it needs to be transparent so that consumers, young and old, can make an informed decision.

I'm just speaking for myself not for the tweens of the world!

Remember Olivia on Boden? makes sign of cross

The problem with Youtubers and their young audience is that, in my experience, even when you explain that the blogger is being paid young teenagers simply cannot believe that they would talk about a product just for money. That is how trusting their audience is.

I have never seen a declaration that a blog post is advertising or paid for. It's usually couched in wooly language like 'in association with..'

"sponsored post"

There was a great independent Irish cosmetic review website but they sold out. I can't trust it anymore.

Personally, I dislike sponsored content, so don't do it. However, its very hard to commercialise a blog, and sponsored posts are one way some bloggers earn income. I understand that. Yet, it's a short term game not to disclose freebies, sponsored content, collaborations etc. If you read GOMI, it's clear that some people do notice. And once people don't trust a blogger, what's the point?

When a blogger starts spewing obviously sponsored posts, I lose interest.

Most of the bloggers I read do tell you that it is sponsored or a collaboration. I think good luck to them if they are managing to make money from it. Not all of the posts are sponsored. If your children are watching things on you tube then you just have to explain about advertising etc the same way you have to explain about other things.