New ReviewMe Advertorial Service - Hit Or Miss?
ReviewMe have launched a new service that allows advertisers to add advertorials to blogs, whilst keeping full editorial control of the copy. Advertisers can enter up to 250 words including links and also an image of their choice. All advertorials are marked at a start with ‘Sponsor Post’ and bloggers retain full control on whether an advertorial is displayed or not.
My first reaction when I saw the new ReviewMe Advertorial service was one of disappointment as I like having full control of reviews that go on my site, and even being able to give negative reviews if I choose to (which I have done in the past). However, after reflection I now don’t see this service as a ‘Review’ service, but as just another valid advertising scheme that bloggers can choose to use or not. For me this is no different to how newspapers include advertising supplements within their editions.
I know there has been a lot of fuss about Paid Posts, but ReviewMe have tried to manage this problem by adding ‘nofollow’ to all links. Hopefully this will mean that Google won’t punish sites that decide to feature these reviews.  In my view it should be the site owner who decides whether or not they want to do something with their site, rather than Google making the decision for them.
What do you think? Have ReviewMe managed to deploy a responsible advertorial service?
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Comment by Bush Mackel on 14 July 2007:
Look, alls I know is that ReviewMe never has opportunities for me. Maybe the PR update will change things for me. *crossing fingers*
Comment by Brown Baron on 14 July 2007:
I’m sure some would embrace it since they wouldn’t have to do anything. Personally, I’d rather write the review myself.
Comment by Dan and Jennifer on 14 July 2007:
OK, here’s a different perspective.
ReviewMe is interesting, though we prefer doing direct deals with advertisers IF WE LIKE THEIR PRODUCTS and keeping the full amount.
But here’s the catch… Text Link Ads is passive income. Doing sponsored reviews takes your time and is NOT passive. So it’s not that hot in comparison.
Having the advertiser write the review IS much more passive than YOU writing it.
So this has real potential. keep your eyes and minds open and see what happens with this one… we will.
Have an awesome day!
Dan & Jennifer
Comment by 3gp on 14 July 2007:
For me it looks like that it might rise the red flags .. having the product review rather than advertiser write the piece of ad himself is 2 different stories. What i think that Review Me want to earn some more money as there is hole in the services and people make direct deals aswell. So this way that can have some command and advertisers will more likely to use their services rather than direct contact with blogger. So as business point of view Reviewme take a new step. But as for bloggers i think this is wrong. I might hurt a blogger in the commings months as it is too early to say anything about it.
Comment by Nirmal on 16 July 2007:
I too would like to write the review myself rather than just posting the content written by someone.