Wednesday Night Discussion: I did not realise this! Does this change your opinion of YouTube reviews?

I’ve not been on instagram for ages but I think they indicate paid promotions, I think it should be clear on YouTube too, definitely

Agreed!

To me 'sponsored' and 'paid for' are very different things in my mind and the difference should be made clear.

But then, on the other hand, I'm not sure quite why I feel that way 😂 Both a watch and a packet of cash are a payment of sorts at the end of the day...

... but cash just feels different for some reason!

If someone sends me free watches I'll say whatever they want...until I run out of room at home or when my wife kicks me out, whichever comes first.

That being said, transparency is best.

I'm with you on this!

Well Gary actually sells the free watches he gets on eBay, so perhaps if you splits to proceeds with the Mrs it could be a legit career path!

Some reviewers will refuse to do videos for brands despite pay offers due to the fact that companies (once both parties agree on video & payment) will also have control over what is said & how it’s presented. If they don’t like how the brand is perceived or if the reviewer is being a little too honest about looks/quality/price etc, they can & will request the video to be changed. So I’ve heard.

I should preface that by saying, as long as it's not Invicta...🤣

Adrian said something similar. He has been absent for a while. Partly because disappointment of watch industri. They set so strict rules with them creating the content but primarily not allowing him to inform that it was sponsored content.

That's pretty much what Gary says. The brand didn't like the review he did, so asked for it to be taken down, but since Gary wasn't being paid, he declined.

I'll happily do the Invicta's. I'm shameless 😂

Haha, snob! 😂

Is that what the latest video from him is about?

I must check it out.

It’s more for fear of getting the Angel Killer that @solidyetti keeps parading around. If you’ve seen it, you can’t unsee it.

I got standards 🤣

I watched this video yesterday, it would be nice if YouTubers would be transparent but then that would be too much like right 😂. However whatever helps them sleep at night, can’t knock people for how they pay their bills. I wouldn’t mind a free watch or some cash or both 😂

Should definitley state Video 'paid for' as this clearly identifies it as an advertisement for the brand.

i think its okay if reviewer do get money from the brand as long as they mentioned specs correctly. and i believe people can decide if the watch is good or not based on the footage that provided by the reviewer

I’ll send you some for review 😉 and I expect 10 stars ⭐️🌟🌟🌟🌠💫⭐️✨🌟🌟✨🤩!!! It’s called, “ Re-SpeckmyTater” watch!! Dial filled with Tater Tots

You’ll get all the stars. Love me some tots, so that’s transparency for you.

Any idea what watch review, he was asked to take down. I’d like to watch it? Thanks!

Mancheront Pacer.

Just watched the review & it's an honest review & he's actually pretty complimentary, but talks about some obvious flaws. Bezel wobble was nasty.

Just watched Jody's review & he had some constructive criticism as well.

Thanks!

I watched Gary’s review which indicated that the watch was a bit niche and had its flaws.

Following the furore surrounding Gary’s review I then went and watched a few of the paid reviews of the very same watch and it was interesting to see just how artful the professionals are at earning their coin - being positive and upbeat about something they don’t really rate while still trying to maintain their integrity. In many ways it’s an impressive “art form” but I will review their work now suitably educated and very much listening for what is personal and heartfelt and what is fluff.

Some great examples are, paraphrasing, along the lines of:

“If you need to measure xyz then this is fantastic!” when the reviewing really doesn’t care ever about measuring xyz

“The question is whether this is worth $xxx to you?” so the reviewer skillfully avoids saying they think it’s poor value.

Takes a little time but v insightful to do this and I will now see those promotional advertisements through a whole new lens.

I guess this also illuminates whether the reviewer is primarily in the game with their viewers’ interests in mind or whether they have their own immediate interests squarely front and center.

Arguably putting your viewers’ interests first is a virtuous long-term circle as it should benefit you as you never praise something without conviction and continue to attract views/subscribers.

But taking the money and helping to flog something by praising it without conviction generates short-term rewards (further paid promotional work) but your viewers might drop off after being burnt buying a dud following your review and struggling to discern where your conviction really lies.

Pretty fascinating as there a clearly a couple of ends of this spectrum and you could probably plot the reviewers along the spectrum and focus on those best positioned for your own viewing requirements.

It's not just the paid reviews. Just as bad are the reviewers who also happen to be ADs or consultants for the brands they're discussing, and those that accept paid trips to various parties and promotional events, access to celebrity brand ambassadors, and other privileges that are effectively marketing expenses for watch brands. It's also worth noting that before a brand sends a watch over for review, they'll typically inspect and regulate the watch to ensure there are no mechanical issues that might plague what you and I get at retail. It's a conscious plan to make sure we're getting advertising and marketing messages instead of the honest, objective opinions that influencers and "journalists" tell us they offer.

What we DO get are macro shots of watches underneath while someone verbally describes exactly what we're seeing on screen, regurgitates specs and press-release points we could easily get off the brand's website, and then offers up a few perfunctory "criticisms" like, "I'd have liked more micro-adjustment on the bracelet," "this may wear a little big/small on certain wrists," or "some people may take issue with the date window" and even than, further softened with phrases like "of course, no watch is perfect..." or "these are just my personal tastes."

With the notable exception of AliExpress micro brands and watches from Citizen and Seiko (excepting Grand Seiko), I've never, ever, seen or read any high-profile source—online, on YouTube, or wherever—where a supposed journalist or reviewer said, unequivocally, "this is unacceptable," "don't buy this," or fully challenged the claims of a major brand. Nobody does any "journalism" to research post-purchase quality, customer service, or repair costs—all very important factors to consider before spending thousands on any product. Nobody calls out the obvious lies in the marketing, known flaws with movements, or ridiculous prices, no matter how overt. Every watch is great, every decision is defended, every price is justified, and every brand myth perpetuated. It's getting harder to stomach, but especially so when these folks pretend to be doing anything more than acting as a PR branch of the brands supporting them.

i sort of get what you mean but either its a free review or it isnt.

you either gettin' paid o you aint ! nuuf said.

Cool!

There’s a difficult side to this for a brand also. When it’s a paid piece of content the brand is responsible for what is said in there… it’s not just about whether it’s a bad review…. It’s also because if someone says something defamatory against another brand or something positive about the brand/watch that simply isn’t true then the company get in trouble legally because it’s seen as a form of advertising.

That said… I don’t believe you should do a paid “review” of a product… a product showcase where it’s clear that it’s been paid for is ok and you see this a lot with the big tech YouTubers who don’t refer to these as a review for that reason.

I don’t get anything for my reviews if someone wants to throw some cash at me holla at your boy

It’s very easy to see the difference between homemade and paid by sponsors.

Paid by sponsors - They never make critical comments.

While homemade ones has always something to say you’re not familiar with or their vision is actually point on. So important to look for.

Even if you like one watch, there’s something that can be a bit better somehow ^^