Have blog will pimp

Another website has launched to muscle in on the editorial voice of the blogosphere.

Reviewme wants to make the process more transparent by insisting that advertisers cannot demand positive posts and that bloggers 'fess up' to being paid to review products.

Bloggers as advertising conduits is not a new idea. In July, Payperpost launched, drawing heavy criticism for dealing a further blow to professional journalistic and blogging integrity.

However, Reuters reported this week that a Mori poll has suggested blogs are becoming an important means of advertising products, as internet journals were found to be a more trusted source of information than TV advertising or email marketing.

With Reviewme, bloggers can set up a free account and if they meet the selection criteria - determined by traffic, subscribers and prominence - their site gets added to a list from which advertisers can request that bloggers review whatever it is they are trying to promote.

Bloggers are unable to select the products for review other than by deciding to accept or turn down commissions.

Reviews have to be at least 200 words long, written in the normal style and language of the blog and have to disclose the sponsorship. For an individual review, bloggers will be paid between $20 and $200.

The Reviewme site tries to make itself appealing to advertisers by saying: "Because our reviews are not formatted to look like adverts, publishers are able to deliver more attention and value than through advertising via any other marketing channel."

While telling advertisers that they cannot stipulate positive reviews, Reviewme adds the bromide:

"The vast majority of reviews are measuredly [sic] positive, although many do contain constructive criticism. We view this as a bonus: how else can you quickly and cheaply get feedback on a product or service from influencers?"

But whether or not a constantly scornful reviewer would continue to get commissions from would-be advertisers remains open to question. It seems more likely that the blogger who wants to make a buck will have to be generally inclined to provide positive reviews.

Oh, by the way. I'm not a member and no, I have not been paid.

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