There has been some controversy going around lately with the integrity of video game reviews because of the recent firing of a CNET employee. Obviously The Album Project is strictly music but it brings up the point about who can you trust, who is being paid to write good reviews to sell records?
I really would like to believe that everyone running a website/blog is being up front with where funding is coming from and that everyone is honest is their reviews. We all know that’s probably not true though. Do you ever question whether the content has been affected by a label or media group? Do you question whether you are being sold something rather than being recommended something? Should that be something you have to think about?
Maybe my naivety or lack of experience leads me to say this but it’s seems like common sense that you should not have ad’s about the products that you review. Whether the review is good or bad, it seems like a conflict of interest to have a banner ad on the site, let alone same page as the review.
[You're not allowed to work at two different jobs that are in direct competition (i.e. Best Buy and Circuit City) so why should you have ad's about the content that you cover?]
Ad’s are how money changes hands on the internet. At this time in the game that is just how websites are able to function, and I don’t think there is a way around it right now. The answer is not to get rid of ad’s the answer is to become more clever in the ad’s that are selected and the companies you partner with.
Instead of having ad’s for albums and record labels on a music site I think music services should be advertised. Places to listen to and buy music such as Purevolume, E-music, Amazon, Amie street, and iTunes are all great services that can be advertised to readers. The focus is there with out questioning whether a record label has had any influence on a review or site. Music products such as Zunes, iPods, Sansa players, or any other music device makes a great ad for people interested in music as well. The idea should be to have a synergy with complimentary items rather than the items you cover.
Personally speaking I refuse to take any money or have any sponsorships from record labels or groups associated with bands. Even though I want to make this site a paid job, I would rather have a place where people trust the reviews and recommendations that are written. Frankly all the energy that it takes to make several hundred posts is all done for the passion that I have for music. I know there are those of you out that love music as much as I do and I love having a place to discuss it and write what I think about all the albums I love and consequently don’t like.
[I understand that a lot of companies partner with AD networks and don't deal directly with the companies that have ad's on the site. I also think that you still should not have ad's for the products you cover no matter how the ad's are placed on the site.]
