Meh, so many companies do this, it's not new or evil.
Microsoft Paying Bloggers to Write about Internet Explorer
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Re: Microsoft Paying Bloggers to Write about Internet Explorer
#12This seems vaguely familiar to me... Remember when they paid to port apps to windows phone?
Paying developers to port their apps is completely legitamete. It's a chicken and egg problem. Users don't want to use the platform because there are few apps, but developers don't want to write apps because there are few users. If Microsoft can spend some money to get additional apps in the store it's just a business decision. In my opinion they should have dedicated more money to that program.
This on the other hand is deceptive and I think pretty embarrassing. Completely different scenarios.
Re: Microsoft Paying Bloggers to Write about Internet Explorer
#13Wait... I thought the browser wars were over?
Re: Microsoft Paying Bloggers to Write about Internet Explorer
#14This stuff is true for many things in many businesses. and media is just a piece of the Iceberg. Video Games Magazines/websites have been paid for decades to write positive review and generate awareness for certain games, and I guess most people are aware of it. That's why I usually take with a big grain of salt anything that's written without any clear declaration of conflict of interest (or its absence).
Re: Microsoft Paying Bloggers to Write about Internet Explorer
#15I guess it says a lot about how much Microsoft has improved over the years that this seems "low, even for Microsoft." right?
When you need to pay people to write about your product, it means you've fallen pretty deep. Just like Detroit would probably be forced to pay businesses to settle in their town to attract them in the first place.
Re: Microsoft Paying Bloggers to Write about Internet Explorer
#16For reference, here are details about the program:
http://unbouncepages.com/7975010c-edb3-11e3-b3e0-12314000cce...
Re: Microsoft Paying Bloggers to Write about Internet Explorer
#17Next step in MS evolution would be paying bloggers to write about Windows ;) Though it might still take a while.
Re: Microsoft Paying Bloggers to Write about Internet Explorer
#18> I believe it will be easier for them to pay users to use Internet Explorer.
Re: Microsoft Paying Bloggers to Write about Internet Explorer
#19I guess it says a lot about how much Microsoft has improved over the years that this seems "low, even for Microsoft." right?
When you need to pay people to write about your product, it means you've fallen pretty deep. Just like Detroit would probably be forced to pay businesses to settle in their town to attract them in the first place.
I doubt it's so much that they need to, but that someone in that large organization authorized it, either not knowing any better, or seeking some short term benefit ignorant of the long term negatives.
Re: Microsoft Paying Bloggers to Write about Internet Explorer
#20I thought that was the norm these days... Or maybe I should ask, what major blog doesn't accept payments to write articles about whatever? Thats how the blogging business works.