Does FishLore Have Marketers From Various Companies Masquerading As Hobbyists?

I am very intrigued that almost every post here has some suggestions about a commercial product. Could there be marketers in this forum who are hired by companies and are asked to push products while pretending to be hobbyists.

 

I'm be shocked if they don't

It's so common everywhere

 

Possible, would likely depend on the content of the post. Not sure I’ve come across many that I would assume are marketers... some products are just widely used, will find the same on any forum (like Seachem prime, aquaclear filters, nilo thrive, etc). Both are getting the “gold standard” reputations... same with lights...

 

I can not speak for others but I am not.

The large number of photos I have posted over the last 5 years of our aquariums and gear, should help in this regard.

I recommend the products I do based on over 50 years of fish keeping.

 

Could there even be a deal with the website owners?

I am sure we could not get anyone to agree that s/he is a marketer even if they are lurking here somewhere.

 

... IVE BEEN BUSTED Drats

 

LOL

... IVE BEEN BUSTED Drats

 

not sure. I normally recommend products that ive had and used before, as well as people I know have used with good results.

 

I am sure we could not get anyone to agree that s/he is a marketer even if they are lurking here somewhere.

I am sorry, if that is the case then what is the point of this thread. I can tell you that after near 6 years as a member here there is no way that Mike is doing anything shady.

 

I am sorry, if that is the case then what is the point of this thread. I can tell you that after near 6 years as a member here there is no way that Mike is doing anything shady.

Completely agree

 

agree with this... don’t believe fl would make that “compromise” to the unethical... not in their blood from my experience either.

You will find two things in many hobby forums
1) experiences keepers trying to help out others, will recommend products they have used and proved to be better then others
2) inexperienced hobbyists that are trying to be helpful, but often repeating info they have read vs. tried.

I would trust even the more inexperienced hobbyists here more then the big box, sometimes even an lfs... different mentality.

Either way, I would verify recommendations... see how many others have made the same recommendations. If it’s widely recommended, it’s a waste of money to pay a marketer to spend time on our forums

 

I am sorry, if that is the case then what is the point of this thread. I can tell you that after near 6 years as a member here there is no way that Mike is doing anything shady.

There is no need to get defensive. Even if there are marketers here that does not necessarily mean that it is illegal. But everyone has a right to know. That's all. Everyone has business in their mind. I think you are marketing stuff here and there is no harm in doing so.

Large companies do pay opinion leaders to be part of forums in their industry. It happens all the time. Since this is a large aquarium forum, I was just wondering.

The large number of photos I have posted over the last 5 years of our aquariums and gear, should help in this regard.

Our aquariums and gear?

 

There is no need to get defensive. Even if there are marketers here that does not necessarily mean that it is illegal. But everyone has a right to know. That's all. Everyone has business in their mind. I think you are marketing stuff here and there is no harm in doing so.

Did you just accuse Thunder_o_b of being a marketer? LOL that's the funnies I've ever heard haha. Just because some products are the gold standard, e.g. Aquaclear Filters, certain lights, ferts, substrate, ect, donesn't mean we're marketing stuff. It's called having experience with something and if its a good experience you suggest it to others because it worked for you. ITS NOT MARKETING

 

I've never once even seen a thread that looks like they are trying to push a product/brand. So maybe on other forums but I don't think there are any marketers on here and if there were, I think they would get banned fast.

 

I honestly can't see to many marketers being here. Most of the products recommended are the products that are widely used in the hobby and have that gold standard that's been mentioned. As Valerie said I haven't seen many products pushed unless it's a test kit or something of that nature, but even then if you go with a good quality one then no one's going to care what brand you got.

We do have some sponsors here, but they have their own forum and fishlore is partnered I believe with Amazon. So Fishlore does have its means of making money and supporting the form, but I'd be pretty surprised if they got any money from secret marketers, not to mention I don't believe Mike would do that to the community.

Everything I've seen from thunder has not had any marketing feel at all, just the feel of someone who's trying to help. Not to get mean or anything of the sort, but I at least don't really appreciate having someone come on and publicly announce they think a very well known member here is a marketing/doing something shady. If you have concerns about this you should speak to a mod, not the forum.

By our aquariums and gear she likely meant the gear and such she uses on her tank, pretty much wording it the same way I would've if speaking about my tanks and gear I use.

 

I have yet to see anybody marketing a product from a corporation on here. Hobbiests suggesting the tried and true products or most bang for your buck but never pushing a product. Fl is partnered with Amazon and they have their little add space for different things they sell as well as discount codes for members but a forum needs an income from some were.

 

I imagine you could pick them out quite rapidly.. they would be on every thread suggesting their products! I never noticed any one who does that!

 

I highly doubt it, personally...... I don't think that those companies would think of spending their time on forums pushing their aquarium products.

 

Why wouldn't they? It's called marketing, and doing it on a forum is free

It happens on all sorts of websites. These accounts are banned all the time on bigger sites like Reddit. The less obvious ones go on for months or years before people take notice. It's very effective.

People in this thread are making good points about "golden standard" products, but that doesn't mean there can't also be companies who have accounts on various fish forums who namedrop here and there.

Of course I'm not saying that users here to talk about their products are shills. I do it myself. I like the products I use and am happy to recommend them when people ask, but I certainly thing it's at least a bit naive to think it doesn't or can't happen on a site like fishlore.

 

I don’t think so, I mean maybe but if there were they would be posting products everywhere and not really helping anyone. Wouldn’t they get kicked off the website?

 

Wasn't there a seachem rep on here a while ago? They answered questions but made it clear who they represented. I also believe the developer of aquadvisor was a member at one time but again never tried to hide that from any one and just answered questions about his product and didn't try to push it on anyone.

 

Why wouldn't they? It's called marketing, and doing it on a forum is free

It happens on all sorts of websites. These accounts are banned all the time on bigger sites like Reddit. The less obvious ones go on for months or years before people take notice. It's very effective.

People in this thread are making good points about "golden standard" products, but that doesn't mean there can't also be companies who have accounts on various fish forums who namedrop here and there.

Of course I'm not saying that users here to talk about their products are shills. I do it myself. I like the products I use and am happy to recommend them when people ask, but I certainly thing it's at least a bit naive to think it doesn't or can't happen on a site like fishlore.

YOUR DEFENDING THEM! YOU ARE ONE OF THEM ARNT YOU? hahah lol jk

 

*BEEP BEEP BOOP* Buy my Betta Flakes: Purple Meals Betta Flakes

 

I've been using purple meals betta flakes for 2 months now and my betta started pooping dollar bills and also his tank got bigger on it's own and started doing weekly water changes all by itself

I highly recommend

 

*BEEP BEEP BOOP* Buy my Betta Flakes: Purple Meals Betta Flakes

Lol I clicked on the buyPurpleMealsBettaFlakes.com and safarI cannot open that page

 

I've been using purple meals betta flakes for 2 months now and my betta started pooping dollar bills and also his tank got bigger on it's own and started doing weekly water changes all by itself

I highly recommend

Lol you don’t even have a Betta

 

Lol I clicked on the buyPurpleMealsBettaFlakes.com and safarI cannot open that page

Good. I'm not the only sucker that was curious if that was a valid link .

 

I do actually

Here's A Pic Of My Betta And A Ghost Shrimp In Her Tank!

 

I do actually

Here's A Pic Of My Betta And A Ghost Shrimp In Her Tank!

What!?! When did you get her?

 

It was actually the first fish I got when I came back to the hobby this year! I got it for my then 5 year old as his first fish. We did a fish in cycle on that tank since she had a very low bioload. Water never got above .25 for ammonia or nitrate

 

Good. I'm not the only sucker that was curious if that was a valid link .

I've been using purple meals betta flakes for 2 months now and my betta started pooping dollar bills and also his tank got bigger on it's own and started doing weekly water changes all by itself

I highly recommend

Lol you don’t even have a Betta

Welp, now I have to make it a site

 

the real question is, if I registered the domain and put some....questionable material on it, would you then get banned for posting what was at the time an invalid link?

 

Anyone want to donate $2.95/month for the site?

 

the real question is, if I registered the domain and put some....questionable material on it, would you then get banned for posting what was at the time an invalid link?

Very interesting question. Mike, could you elaborate please?

 

Anyone want to donate $2.95/month for the site?

So not only are we going to pay for the products we have to pay for the website? Naw I’m good lol

 

Why wouldn't they? It's called marketing, and doing it on a forum is free

It happens on all sorts of websites. These accounts are banned all the time on bigger sites like Reddit. The less obvious ones go on for months or years before people take notice. It's very effective.

People in this thread are making good points about "golden standard" products, but that doesn't mean there can't also be companies who have accounts on various fish forums who namedrop here and there.

Of course I'm not saying that users here to talk about their products are shills. I do it myself. I like the products I use and am happy to recommend them when people ask, but I certainly thing it's at least a bit naive to think it doesn't or can't happen on a site like fishlore.

I'm not saying that there wouldn't be or anything like that, I just don't think its right to publicly say you think someone is a marketer and not being honest or that the mods are doing something "shady." If you have any concerns like that then you should simply talk to the mods, or if it really bothers you, then perhaps don't use a site you don't feel safe enough using.

the real question is, if I registered the domain and put some....questionable material on it, would you then get banned for posting what was at the time an invalid link?

I believe there is a rule that if you post a link to or say anything of sexual or inappropriate reference and such that you can be banned. Even if there wasn't this is supposed to be a pg site so anything that's not PG would likely be removed. So... yeah probably. lol

 

I have to admit, I sometimes act like a corporate shill, especially for my favorite YouTubers. I'm always posting links to videos, but that's because that's how my brain works--I watch something, later someone asks about it, and I'm like "Hey! I watched a video on this!!" >_< I also post lots of links to external sites and like to link directly to the products I'm talking about when people ask for recommendations, because it's easier than telling them the exact specifications...say, when they ask what sponge filters work best for a 5 gallon.

But unless anyone wants to know what I think the best Rapid-test HIV 1/2 Ab Immunoassay detection product currently on the market is (and it has a dang cute reaction strength reader!!), then I'm not going to push my company's products on anyone. ...and please, no one ask for recommendations for that. Seriously >_<

 

Very interesting question. Mike, could you elaborate please?

I'm not the right Mike, but I'm sure the answer is that he'd just check when the domain was registered (it's public info) and see that it was registered after the post was made.

 

Hi, I am the CEO of Tetra

 

Depends some of us really love these products. Like prime and Aquaclear filters!! But would not be surprised to see fake people from the company. Hopefully the forum is able to filter those people out.

 

Hi, I am the CEO of Tetra

Can I have a job?

 

I actually think it’s more likely that people here are in fact actual hobbyists but are being given industry discounts for using products they like and talking about them. A lot of companies realize some of the best marketing they can get is by outfitting ‘influencers’ and actual people with their brand. It’s definitely a popular tactic in the outdoor industry and I can’t see how it wouldn’t apply to other industries.

I’ve always seen blatant attempts at self-promotion shut down by our mods very promptly and frankly I’m content with that.

I personally like getting recommendations from those who are more experienced as long they’re not acting like a used car salesman. It saves me a lot of time and frustration lol.

 

 

There is no need to get defensive. Even if there are marketers here that does not necessarily mean that it is illegal. But everyone has a right to know. That's all. Everyone has business in their mind. I think you are marketing stuff here and there is no harm in doing so.

Large companies do pay opinion leaders to be part of forums in their industry. It happens all the time. Since this is a large aquarium forum, I was just wondering.


Our aquariums and gear?

In Sunhawk’s (my wife) and my lodge.

Just to be clear: I am not now nor have ever been compensated with money or anything of value (real or perceived) for a supportive opinion of any service or product.

 

Can I have a job?

I would but company policy is to not have any lace as it can deteriorate under water

 

In Sunhawk’s (my wife) and my lodge.

Just to be clear: I am not now nor have ever been compensated with money or anything of value (real or perceived) for a supportive opinion of any service or product.

Lol I have! Not for aquariums. I’ve worked in the outdoor industry, which was pretty sweet. I’m not ashamed. Coupons are like money aren’t they?

Don’t worry Thunder. Nobody believes you’ve been bribed into marketeering. I certainly don’t.

I however sold my soul long ago, just to a different industry. Ironically, I work in a marketing dept as a graphic designer. Again, not aquarium related.

I personally don’t think it’s as devious as it’s made out to be but meh. I guess that’s just my evil marketer soul talking. LOL.

 

I suppose there could be marketers on here without us knowing but if we found out they would be banned because it would be considered advertising and against the forum rules.

This does bring up something I was thinking about adding... an aquarium product manufacturers sub-forum. I would reach out to mfg’s and ask if they would be interested in having a board here. Then they could “market” their products and maybe answer questions and stuff.

Also, someone asked about posting bad links. You would only get banned if the link at the time it was posted was bad or inappropriate. And by bad I mean something that is highly offensive.

 

Buy snap on tools. Lol. Only company I have ever gotten a discount from.

All I can say is if anyone on here is being paid to promote a product the company should demand their money back because they are doing a poor job at promoting anything .

 

Wait...coupons count?? OK. Um, then I get a nifty discount at A site as a member of the GSAS and their mailing list. Sorry, but they're actually my local fish store, and I used them before I found out about the channel or the online site :/

I do share their videos a lot. But also usually along with others, and the caveat "OK...he's REALLY long winded, but there's some good info in there"

Mike --would there be any way to give honest reviews about our dealings with manufacturers/retailers, or would it just be a place for retailers to come and talk about new products? That would also be cool But I do see a lot of people asking about places to buy fish, etc, and it might be handy to have a "recommended" or "buyer beware!" section.

 

I suppose there could be marketers on here without us knowing but if we found out they would be banned because it would be considered advertising and against the forum rules.

This does bring up something I was thinking about adding... an aquarium product manufacturers sub-forum. I would reach out to mfg’s and ask if they would be interested in having a board here. Then they could “market” their products and maybe answer questions and stuff.

Also, someone asked about posting bad links. You would only get banned if the link at the time it was posted was bad or inappropriate. And by bad I mean something that is highly offensive.

I think having a marketers forum would be an interesting and beneficial idea. That way the consumers can get a little more information easily and the fishlore and the manufacturers get a little more attention. I’ve also seen some really good benefits happen with members of forums who do that. I recall there was once a member on another site who had a bad experience with one company, so another company came on and said they’d replace everything the other company messed up for free. So, I can definitely see there being some great benefits for everyone having a board like that.