Is it Ethical?

[Bytemi]

OK this may seem like a weird question, but is it ethical to use Mechanical Turks to generate traffic and comments to your blog. I am not talking about having them click on the ads on the page or doing a search or anything like that. I know that comments are suppose to be good for a blog so if I post a Job at Mechanial Turk and I pay 1 cent for 100 to people to visit my blog and leave a comment, is that cheating?

Is it a bad idea?

Thanks,
Adele
My Experiences Honest Real Work At Home Reviews

[Bloggeries]

It all depends on the type of comments they leave. 1 cent for 100 visits and comments sounds way too good to be true. Basically if people sense it's spam posts they will be deterred. I had this issue with this forum. I could of gone paid posting but I never did because I wanted this place to be pure and I'm thinking long run. From an ethical point of view I don't think it is wrong however it is slightly misleading so to each there own. I guess I'd say no than because I opted not to do it.

Did I read that right though... 1 cent for 100 comments and visits!?

[Bytemi]

Yes, Mechanical Turks are a wonderful thing. I would end up spending a $1.50 total and I get to accept or reject the posts before they go up. It just seemed like I was misleading people so I wasn't sure. My entire site is about exposing the scammers the last thing I want to do is be one of them.

[Bytemi]

Sorry, my mistake, I just reread the threat and I worded that wrong, it would be 1 cent per review, so if 100 people leave comments, then it would a dollar plus a 50 percent charge for posting the job. Really sorry.

[Bloggeries]

No need to apologize! I make mistakes all the time. If your blog is new it's very little risk maybe give it a try and see what happens? I see what your saying but it's not like your selling something and getting 100 people to write they love it and bought it and recommend it. It's just comments. If you are interested I'd say give it a go!

[Bytemi]

Thank you for your comments.

[jshaffstall]

Originally Posted by Bytemi

OK this may seem like a weird question, but is it ethical to use Mechanical Turks to generate traffic and comments to your blog.

I'd say the only reason to use a service like this would be to try and jumpstart your blog if you're impatient. Comments make your blog look lived in, which may attract other real visitors to comment.

If your daily traffic isn't high enough, having lots of comments won't make much difference anyway, since most people who visit blogs don't leave comments (in my experience).

I'd say if you're getting 50 or more visitors a day, then seeding some comments in the blog might help entice some of them to comment.

As far as whether it's ethical or not, I don't know the terms of the work at the site. Do you specify what the comments have to be, or are they free to come up with their own? If they come up with their own, then I'd say it's okay.

If you specify the comments, then it's no different from you personally leaving fake comments on your own blog, which always struck me as a bit unethical.

Jay

[Bytemi]

OH, I would never tell people to say that would just be wrong, I guess I was just looking to make the blog looked lived in like you said. Thank you for your input.