Maybe it's time for a really detailed Blog Disclosure? » YugaTech

Maybe it’s time for a really detailed Blog Disclosure?

I’ve been getting a bit more emails about my recent ProBlogging post and in tangent, having Blog Disclosures. I actually wrote about Blog Disclosures here sometime back in August where I encourage everyone to disclose their personal interests and because of recent developments, also mention being paid to write reviews. Max suggested it’s time I make a specific post on this one.

So, in the interest of everyone who might stumble upon my blog in the future, I will post a very conspicuous link to my blog disclosure and it would read like this:

Disclosing my Interests on this Blog

To my readers,

This blog reflects my personal opinion; comments or posts quoting sources from emails are opinions of the respective people who sent them to me or directly thru the blog’s feedback system.

Please be aware that this blog also displays advertising in many forms — some of them will earn me a few bucks a day when you click on them, others pay a monthly flat fee to have their links displayed somewhere on the blog, while some may pay a full annual payment to have a short advertorial with links to their website. Though I do not practice the habit of exchanging links, in the interest of Search Engine Optimization for my other web properties, I may place links to sites which reciprocates the same to me, though not specifically on this blog.

I might, at one time or another, employ automated link advertising on my blog posts. They will be double-underlined and will have pop-up ads when you hover your mouse on them. I will earn a few cents when a visitor clicks on those ads.

I will also be adding links to sites that offer services or sell products. These links might contain my affiliate ID which tracks conversions of my visitors, either by signing up with the service or buying their products. For each successful conversion, I will earn a few cents to several dollars. The highest so far is $25 per conversion.

There will also be posts that reviews online services or monetization programs and I might be paid to post a relevant article. However, rest assured that I try my best to be objective and rational EVEN if that post will be compensated in some form or another. These entries will be categorized under Sponsored Posts.

On many occasions, I might post entries advertising (read: pimp) sites or blogs, products, events and services by other people I know, may they be business partners, long time friends or colleagues. They are not paid or sponsored posts but since I have strong social relationships with them, they are freely given and I may be subjective.

I may have other businesses, like this hosting company, and I may mention or link to it on some occasions. Rest assured that any business interest I have, I will declare offhand if I mention them in my blog.

I am not being directly paid to blog nor under any employer-employee contract. I am my own boss and I answer to no one but myself. Revenues come from direct advertising generated by this site.

I may write about products or services by local companies and these may be given to me freely or on a limited time. However, I have not nor do not accept payments for these write-ups.

I may be invited to dinners or a round of beers by start-up companies and talk about their products or services. I may write about them but will never give favorable feedback because of a free meal. I may not even write about it if there’s really nothing to write about.

I may be invited to attend press conferences, get take home gifts or freebies. I am not obliged to write about it if there’s nothing interesting or valuable to share to my regular readers and fellow bloggers.

I may help organize an event, meet-up or party sponsored by local companies. I will publicly state my personal interest and role in such an event and if I will be compensated, I will declare the compensation and for what work I was compensated.

I may be invited to junkets in the future (wish!), be billeted in a posh hotel in a remote and romantic resort with free buffets, return first class flights and take home give-ways. I may be asked to write a nice article about the sponsor’s service/product launch BUT I will write it the way I see it. If they don’t like it, they can bill me back everything and I will gladly pay for it.

This blog disclosure may be amended in the future as blog monetization schemes, internet marketing and online advertising evolve and mature.

This disclosure is just (digital) paper. This is worth nothing if my readers do not trust me. I have nothing on my back except years of blogging — the only platform I ever had to build my credibility over the years.

Anything else I forgot to disclose? Any comments or suggestions? Typo/grammar errors maybe?

Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

https://www.yugatech.com

11 Comments

corrainowah says:

16 years ago

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SELaplana says:

18 years ago

There was a time also sa blogging career ko na kailangan kong magpost ng About Me dahil sa mga religious posts ko sa blog. Dati, itinatago ko ang ibang personal infos ko, now kailangan kong ipaalam ito sa blogvisitors ko.
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leo says:

18 years ago

I think it’s unnecessary to put that detailed disclosure. Don’t get affected by a couple of envious guys. We, the rest of the people who regularly visit your site, appreciate your blog very much and just continue what you’re doing best – posting informative articles!
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elmer says:

18 years ago

blog disclosure = use terms and conditions, privacy statement and disclaimer all in one? cool!

here’s mine about mobile gadget
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Kates says:

18 years ago

Now, can we start requiring tv anchors to disclose? I hate hearing their blatant lie about how certain products are.
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Carlo says:

18 years ago

It’s so unfair to judge somebody’s work without knowing the roots. There are many of them lurking in the cyberspace.

Wala silang ginagawa kundi pakialaman ang gawain ng iba na hindi naman nakakaapekto sa kanila. Ewan ko lang bakit may mga ganung tao, instead of taking time to scrutinize others, why not exert efforts to establish one’s self?

Main reason, inggit.
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Max Limpag says:

18 years ago

Hi Abe,
Now that should correct those who say you get paid for the articles :-) although, personally, I feel it’s pretty obvious you were reviewing product samples and service tests and that you weren’t paid for it.
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Andrew says:

18 years ago

Exactly what Jun said. You don’t need to explain yourself considering how long you’ve been doing this and the respect you’ve gained from fellow bloggers. Your disclosure is a good gesture though. I’ll give you that.
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jun says:

18 years ago

as i was telling you during our short chat the other day, you don’t need to defend yourself nor disclose this much hehe. good bitch slap though! nothing wrong with making tons of money. i’d do the same in a heartbeat, ain’t nothing wrong with that…
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ruth says:

18 years ago

hm… pakopya, hehe…

seriously,as a reader, i appreciate the gesture and effort you’ve put into making one, but i honestly don’t see the need for such a detailed disclosure. i’m almost blind to the ads anyway…
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