topic Re: Social Media - One Big Commercial! in Community Chat

Social Media - One Big Commercial!

MissMaggieMoo — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 21:44:32 GMT

I'm going to rant a little here. Lately, I feel like social media (IG, YouTube) is one big commercial with all the sponsored posts and line-after-line of affiliate links. Social media is definitely not like what it was several years ago.

One thing that really ticks me off is that social media influencers fail to mention that every single product in the drop down box is an affiliate link. And those affiliate links go on and on forever.

Also, what a lot of people don't realize is that the influencer not only makes money on the product link you click, but they make money on every item in your shopping cart. And, that affiliate link puts a cookie on your computer, phone, etc. that stays there for a given number of days. So, if you fill your cart and come back a few days later and check out, the influencer makes money on your entire order even if you didn't even buy the affiliate link product. And, don't let them fool you by saying they only make a few cents off your purchase. They can make anywhere from 10% and up off your order. And, no one discloses this info to the viewing public.

I watched a YT video from a woman who has 900,000+ subscribers and she explained (yes she said this) most influencers are here to make money off of us and act like they are our friends, but that couldn't be further from the truth. They want us to feel like we are their personal friends but we really aren't (which I already know this).

I'm getting down off my soapbox. Sorry for the rant but I felt like some of you also feel this way too. Thanks for listening.

Re: Social Media - One Big Commercial!

ALRATIBA — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 21:50:00 GMT

We have a choice ... partcipate in the commercialism or stay away from YouTube.

Or ... start your own media.

Re: Social Media - One Big Commercial!

Tori3569 — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 22:12:10 GMT

It doesn’t really bother me that influencers earn money from purchases on social media. If I like someone’s style or posts, I may like what they promote. No different to me than having a favorite salesperson in a store or following a favorite magazine’s advice.

Re: Social Media - One Big Commercial!

deepwaterdotter — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 22:20:16 GMT

These forums are the only "social media" in which I participate. Since it's sponsored by a shopping channel, I guess it's the nature of the beast.

Re: Social Media - One Big Commercial!

Love my grandkids — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 22:28:40 GMT

It's been public knowledge for many many years that those with you tube channels profit from it. No surprise to me.

Re: Social Media - One Big Commercial!

sidsmom — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 22:29:16 GMT

@Tori3569 wrote:
It doesn’t really bother me that influencers earn money from purchases on social media. If I like someone’s style or posts, I may like what they promote. No different to me than having a favorite salesperson in a store or following a favorite magazine’s advice.

ITA!

I’ve learned SO much on YouTube thoroughout the many years

before some YouTubers were monetized...I don’t have a problem

giving back to what has helped me so much (priceless).

Re: Social Media - One Big Commercial!

GCR18 — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 23:04:20 GMT

Doesn't bother me.

Re: Social Media - One Big Commercial!

BirkiLady — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 23:10:20 GMT

@MissMaggieMooHow is that any different than a QVC host saying, "And, Oprah uses this product for her eyelashes . . . blah, blah, blah." Everytime they mention O's name, she makes money from QVC. What's the difference?

Re: Social Media - One Big Commercial!

dooBdoo — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 00:22:39 GMT

I think it helps to remember that the social media platforms we use as "free" ones aren't really free... there are operational costs and the commercial sponsors are paying.

The problem lies in the promotional materials or people cleverly disguised as parties with no vested interest in the products, services or website click-bait they recommend, and offer with glowing reviews... that sort of thing.

Even here, as on other social media platforms, there are "shills" ("a person who pretends to give an impartial endorsement of something in which they themselves have a compensated interest") who seem to be a part of the community or who pretend to simply be offering unbiased reviews but who actually receive some sort of compensation to direct us to the website(s) or to buy the products or services. We'll see it more obviously with a newer contributor... with more established commenters it helps to watch for a pattern of constantly directing us to a source/product or group of sources/products all of whom are closely associated with one another.

It's a good idea, I think, to read and click with a very healthy dose of careful thought and perhaps a bit of skepticism. "Caveat emptor" hasn't gone out of style these days, and it also warns us to be careful about "buying" someone's promotional comments, videos, or reviews.😉

Re: Social Media - One Big Commercial!

dooBdoo — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 23:35:06 GMT

In a related topic, @Kachina624 had an interesting thread about a month ago in which we discussed compensated reviews that have begun to show up on QVC's product listings.

Here's the title and link for those who are interested:

"Weird Reviews"

https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Weird-Reviews/m-p/5044183/highlight/true#M1319416

Re: Social Media - One Big Commercial!

dooBdoo — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 01:24:40 GMT

@BirkiLady wrote:
@MissMaggieMooHow is that any different than a QVC host saying, "And, Oprah uses this product for her eyelashes . . . blah, blah, blah." Everytime they mention O's name, she makes money from QVC. What's the difference?

@BirkiLady, I think the difference is that you're talking about a direct sales pitch. Whether it's referencing a celebrity or not, we know it's a commercial promotion. On social media, there are "influencers" who pretend to be unbiased and impartial but who, in fact, are being compensated to sell.

As an example, now and then here on the Q we see links to "blogs" (or recommendations to go to a specific blog) which at first glance appear to be merely informational... yet if we scroll to the very bottom of the page we'll see the fine print disclosure and find that there's financial profit behind the click-bait. One of the most ubiquitous is the "Amazon Services LLC Associates Program," a flourishing "man behind the curtain" among the so-called information-only blog sites.

Re: Social Media - One Big Commercial!

Sweet_Serenity — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 23:57:41 GMT

Speaking of Youtube: "Royal Reviewer" Elliott, Is wonderful.

Enjoy his channel. Love everything about England and the English.

What makes his channel unique he's adorable and informative.

Re: Social Media - One Big Commercial!

BirkiLady — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 01:48:16 GMT

@dooBdoo Thanks for the explanation. I'm sick of Shawn talking about Oprah's favorite things as if they are BFF's!! My apologies to @MissMaggieMoo.

Re: Social Media - One Big Commercial!

SydneyH — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 02:37:30 GMT

None of this bothers me, does the OP know she can pay to reduce ads?

Re: Social Media - One Big Commercial!

sunshine45 — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 04:48:03 GMT

i embrace social media for what it is......if i did not like it i would not participate.

i say this as both a personal user AND as a business user.

as a business user it is GREAT free advertising and publicity.