Many times I see advertisements and I think… sure, that is true… well, saying true sarcastically because you have proof otherwise!
So if you are a company like Chitika and run an ad like this with ProBlogger.net Darren Rowse stating "Chitika is my No. 2 source of revenue after Google Adsense" as I saw displayed on TwitPic.com today 5/4/2010:
and then I happened to be on Darren’s blog ProBlogger.net today and watched a earnings video posting for his blogs that shows his "earnings" and his top performers as:
How much do you believe the ad by Chitika now?
According to the chart posted directly on ProBlogger.net site and stated by Darren in the video, Chitika is #6 of the 9 total revenue streams displayed.
So maybe at "some point" it was "true" that Chitika was #2 behind Adsense but why should it be "OK" to show an ad like that when it really isn’t true today? IMO, not only does it make Chitika look bad, it can make Darren as well if they know or find out the truth.
Darren likely did the ad sometime ago but this can show that lending your name, image and or brand out could come back at you in a negative way…. Like false advertising (IMO)! So do you think it is "OK" for Chitika to be displaying the ad currently with the above data that you know now?
brian k
It doesnt just look bad it might be illegal.
Do the new rules governing product promotions on the web also cover services.
Any legal minds want to way in.
Darren Rowse
Thanks for the post. A quick clarification.
Chitika was my #2 source of income for a long time (over a year). In fact until recently (about 9 hours ago) it was listed as #2 on the page I listed my split of income (here.
I did an update of that page 9 hours ago and now, as you mention, Chitika is #6 on the list. That position varies from month to month but it’s unlikely it’ll rank at #2 from now on as I’ve grown other income streams past what it earns.
I notified Chitika of the change this morning (about 2 hours ago) – I probably should have done it last night before I went to bed as I updated the page but it was close to midnight and so it slipped my mind. Anyway – within 30 minutes of me letting Chitika know that their ad was no longer accurate they emailed back to say they’re pulling the ad.
So yes – the ad is no longer accurate but Chitika are now pulling the ad as its evening where they are now (I’m in Australia) – it may take a little while for it to go down but they’re working on it now.
There’s no conspiracy and as far as I can see Chitika continue to act in good faith.
Jamie Zoch
Thanks for stopping by Darren and explaining.