You know, if someone invited me to a party to buy something that THEY had created – a piece of artwork, or jewelry, or cookies, or whatever – I would be OK with that. I would be happy to support my friends.

But I can’t swallow the idea that the hosts “really believe in” the tupperware. Of course they believe in it, it’s making them money! And since money is their only connection to the product, I find the whole thing totally disingenuous.

Do I want recommendations? Yeah! Definitely! But only from people who aren’t trying to make money off of me, or off of the recommendation.

Anyway – more close to the topic, I have wondered about all the “free evaluation” products that I read on DIY and food blogs. I’ve always wondered if they just don’t blog about the negative impressions or, as others have mentioned, they blog positive impressions because when you get something for free, it’s a positive experience from the get go. Interesting comparison between social media and these types of parties…perhaps that’s why I have up FB in 2012 as well!

I am careful about things I mention, even if I love them, especially with friends that don’t have much money.

yes bloggers are plyed by companies and people have to understand that recommendations from bloggers (or anyone on the internet) are subject to bias. Its really no different than traditional media in that sense, companies marketing departments constantly try to influence the media in their favor. Thats not to say that bloggers are just paid to do everything or influenced by marketing people, but it can certainly happen and you shouldn’t assume everything a blogger says is unbiased.

When I worked in customer service, I was warned that you usually hear from the people who really love or really hate something. There’s a whole world of “so-so” and “I like it, but…” in the middle.

In the real world, who has time? If I’m considering a product or service, I ask around. If a good friend likes an author, chances are I will too. If a friend’s contractor does an excellent job, I would certainly short list them in my search.

People market things to each other all the time — especially political and religious views. I think we have an innate desire to share things we feel strongly about.

I do take anything I read online with a grain of salt because I know there’s a high likelihood companies are either paying for good reviews or comping to create good will and that was an interesting analysis. Marketing is everywhere.

On the flip side, I do want my friends opinions about products and services because knowing someone who has used the product helps me save time and money by not wasting my dollars on a dud. An example: When my son was a newborn, I was in a group of other first-time moms and their experiences helped me wade through the dizzying array of products available. Do we really need this? Was that item actually useful? Ultimately, it helped repel most of the marketing aimed at anxious new parents.

The more we are aware of how marketing is accomplished, the better we can sort through our motivations for purchases and be conscious about our spending and goals.

I’m also seeing an increase in invitations to tweet/facebook about the products I’ve just bought online. Maybe there’s a segment of the population that over shares, but I’m not one of them.

Several years ago when I had small children, I was on several product panels where I was paid a substantial amount for my time and opinion–and if I was negative about the product, they certainly wanted to hear it. I’m not about to “like” something for free.

Blogging/Facebook/Twitter are becoming increasing like the 21st century version of the Tupperware party.

I also think in the service industry (as opposed to package goods or retail), there is more of a propensity for people to leave negative or critically-biased reviews rather than positive.

I read some local gardening blogs because I want to know what the best products, plants and practices are in my area. I have a thing I want to accomplish (gardening) and if there are improvements in how I’m working I want to know about them.

When I get to the store I’ll have 3 or 4 tools that do the same job in front of me. A recommendation (even a paid one) will help me avoid a dud. It might not get me the best tool, but no blogger worth reading will outright lie about a products quality.

The three psychological cues you mention are spot-on. There’s also the very simple rush that comes from receiving something for free, which puts us in a generous mood. And, I imagine, our standards are lower when we’re evaluating products that we didn’t have to pay for.

I find it extremely annoying when bloggers rave about experiences they got for free. For example, the otherwise-excellent bloggers at Forever Young Adult occasionally get invited to movie screenings with the stars, lunches with famous authors, etc etc. And of course, the movie / author / everything associated with the creators is always *totally amazing and the best thing ever!* Sure it is. Because they fed and entertained and flattered you for free!

Lastly, I DO think that your first point – marketing by friends – is an important one. But I found it unconvincing because of your use of the Coffee Shop as an example. When people recommend companies with good customer service, restaurants with good pizza, etc., they are not succumbing to “selling a new you.” Recommendations of places and services that make our lives easier and more pleasurable are actually really important! That’s why websites like Yelp are great. They don’t just serve the purpose of marketing – they provide genuine comparisons between choices.

I wish more people had a forum to voice negative reviews, or really anything other than “I super duper love X-Y-Z!”

Quickly though, and without analyzing the whole social network marketing mechanisms, I’ll agree with voting NO on Proposition Abstain… we’ve known for years now that SILENCE = DEATH in every front.

Nothing like a good “this product is crap, for X, Y and Z reasons” review to dismantle advertising falsehoods. (Which is why nowadays companies are paying for fake reviews and promote the sort of PR prose we see in blogs all over.)

But yes please, kindly DARE TO DISAGREE and call each thing by its right name. The free flow of information will defeat propaganda every time– well, not every time, but at least you get a fighting chance.

I don’t think anyone bought anything from her, but I think it’s extremely unethical to try and sell £30 packs of pills and bottles of magic juine to naive students, especially when you get them tipsy and pounce on them.