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| Porn Users Forum » TBP Cash Flow versus Site Scores? |
| 1-12 of 12 Posts | Page 1 |
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| 12-01-09 04:40pm - 5500 days | Original Post - #1 | |
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Wittyguy (0)
Active User  Posts: 1,138 Registered: Feb 04, '08 Location: Left Coast, USA |
TBP Cash Flow versus Site Scores? I happened to come across a little article at AVN where a "porn middleman" site was crowing about how four of it's sites hit scores of 90 or better on TheBestPorn. The sites include Onlytease, Onlyopaques and Onlysecretaries. Here's the link to the article: http://business.avn.com/company-news/33679.html. There is a quote from TBP's Vegas Ken at the end: "[W]e only have 22 sites that are rated at 90 percent or better. Out of those 22 sites, 4 are OTCash sites, ... As you can imagine, OTCash sites have an excellent conversion ratio as well. If you are not promoting OTCash sites, you're leaving money on the table!" Obviously that last sentence sort of woke me up a bit. Is Vegas Ken implying that TBP is trading scores for cash flow? Looking at the OTC website they promise a 50% return on all subscription fees from sites that forward traffic to these sites. Edited on Apr 20, 2023, 01:35pm | |
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| 12-01-09 06:37pm - 5500 days | #2 | |
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GCode (0)
Active User  Posts: 386 Registered: Feb 23, '09 Location: USA |
Interesting read Wittyguy and after reading the article with your opinions, I have a few things to say. While I don't agree with the whole concept of ratings sites better to get more monet, I still have to remember that an official review site will have bias no matter what when it comes to sites that may make them more money. Of course, after getting used to PU and the basic no nonsense attitude most of us have when it comes to sites, I have to agree that the more I read TBP reviews and other 'official' review sites that I tend to see these reviews as overall non-noteworthy. Meaning, I take them all with a grain of salt. I have come across some reviews that I just rub my head and go, "how can this site be rated so high"? I think I even posted a thread on how TBP appears to be geared toward the photography buffs and almost all the 'big name' photography sites have extremely high scores in my opinion when I just don't see how the price factor, video factor, etc etc. But then again, I come to remember that bias is always going to be there and even more when people are getting paid to do reviews. However, I do think TBP's overall intentions are well founded and I give them all a trust vote :) But, at least they let us voice our opinions as well and there is no other site that combo that which creates overall great reviews. Also, I don't think I have seen TBP review a site and gave one that deserved a lower score such a high one that I just 'laughed out loud'. For instance, I don't think I have seen a site that should be in the 60's in the realm of the 80's or 90's. Most of the time when I personally disagree, it's more like 5-8 points off. The quote by Vegas Ken at the end just makes me say, 'it is what it is'. I know where he is coming from and at the same time, while I have not actually been a member of the 'only' sites, most of my trusted reviewers here have had high praise for the sites. Therefore, I can't be exactly 'red-faced' angry at the quote because it's not like it's a site that is extremely horrible that is getting a great review. On a side note, after reading comments and reviews on these sites recently, a change in the scores could in the new 2.0 reviews could also be due to them upgrading a few things at these sites as well? Didn't the videos get upped in quality as well as the photo res? This is a major factor in determining a score for a review for me. All-in-all, an interesting topic that I am hoping some others will participate in because I'd love to see others opinions on the matter. But, for me, I can't say the quote has hindered my outlook on TBP or how they go about things at all. While it can maybe be looked at in the wrong way, I'm sure there are worst things that have/could been said. My 2 cents... Sexted From My iPad | |
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| 12-01-09 09:06pm - 5499 days | #3 | |
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Rick (0)
Suspended  Posts: 401 Registered: Jan 05, '07 Location: Las Vegas, NV |
Cool, hadn't read that article yet. :) Good try witty g, good try. For everyone's interest, Ken's primary job is to act as marketing director and webmaster support. Him suggesting to others webmasters that they should "promote" their sites is simply backing up the praise our reviewers have given. Ken is there to support the sites, keep them happy, and be available for them. However, they know our reviews are off limits. They have no direct control over the outcome, period. The only preferential treatment we do accept from sites is the ability to give our users discount prices, which we gladly accept! :) The Best Porn - Ultimate Consumer Guide to Porn Porn Users - Porn Review by the People Ranks.com, Inc., Chief/Founder | |
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| 12-01-09 11:01pm - 5499 days | #4 | |
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jd1961 (0)
Active User  Posts: 296 Registered: Jun 07, '07 |
Wittyguy, if TBP was a "payola" site do you think they'd let people like me post reviews, which are listed in all their reviews. I've slammed quite a few sites warning people to never join. I'm about to do it again to a certain site if I don't hear from them in 2 hours! Other users have as well. | |
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| 12-01-09 11:06pm - 5499 days | #5 | |
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jd1961 (0)
Active User Posts: 296 Registered: Jun 07, '07 |
BTW, a review site can promote all they like...if a site's crap it's crap. Word gets around. | |
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| 12-02-09 06:33am - 5499 days | #6 | |
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lk2fireone (0)
Active User  Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I don't pay a whole lot of attention to most porn review sites, because their reviews are mostly puff pieces that highly recommend most sites. I find the reviews and comment at PU are more useful as an indicator of a site's possible value to me. The reviews at TBP can sometimes add a little information about a site to me, but I mainly use PU to decide whether a site might be worth joining. Regarding the site scores that TBP gives out, I look at them, but give them very little weight in my decision on whether to join a site or not. Again, the reviews and comments at PU are more meaningful to me than the reviews at TBP. The TBP reviews are supposed to be "professional", written to a guideline that establishes the quality and utility of the reviews, but the PU reviews, in spite of the very uneven quality, are more dependable. I think one reason is that PU reviews are written by the consumer, someone who is actually paying for a subscription to the site. TBP reviews are written by "professional" reviewers who are being paid to review a site, and not by someone who is writing about how well they like or appreciate a site based on their reaction to the site. Personal taste varies wildly, but the review of a professional wine taster about a particular wine has very little real-life meaning to me (especially since I don't like wine, anyway). I do like porn, but even the reviews at TBP, which I feel are better than most porn site reviews, seem to have an overlay of speciousness. Edited on Dec 02, 2009, 06:37am | |
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| 12-02-09 10:15am - 5499 days | #7 | |
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Vegas Ken (0)
Active User  Posts: 160 Registered: Jan 07, '07 Location: Las Vegas, NV |
Hey Wittyguy & the PU crew! Thanks for pointing me in the direction of that article; I had not seen it yet. I am often asked for quotes and sometimes never get to see them used. Unfortunately, I was misquoted in this situation. My initial quote contained, "If you are not promoting OT Cash sites, you should!" not "If you are not promoting OTCash sites, you're leaving money on the table!" I will definitely contact the person I gave the quote to and ask what happened. The words are similar, but different in meaning. Regardless, I like your thoughts and comments. It brings forth a great conversation. After being just a Porn Fan like everyone else here for many years, I moved over to the business side of porn. I too used to use TBP for my porn buying recommendations. And like everyone else, I valued the honest and reliable reviews. Now being on the other side of the coin, I can honestly say, the reviews here are completely unbiased and honest without the influence of what our commissions are. If we gave bad sites good reviews for the sake of money, the smart users here would catch on in a flash and just write us off and never return. We work extremely hard to keep TBP & PU true to our mission of honest, fair & accurate reviews. That is one thing you don't have to worry about. Trust me, I really wish I did not have to pass on that all expense paid trip to Hawaii that was dangled in front of me like a tasty carrot!!!! LOL... Just kidding..... Well only sort of :) Like always, we truly appreciate you guys using our site!! Vegas Ken | |
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| 12-02-09 01:12pm - 5499 days | #8 | |
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Wittyguy (0)
Active User Posts: 1,138 Registered: Feb 04, '08 Location: Left Coast, USA |
x Edited on Apr 20, 2023, 01:35pm | |
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| 12-03-09 05:44am - 5498 days | #9 | |
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asmith12 (0)
Active User Posts: 79 Registered: Oct 17, '07 |
I tend to believe that you guys do not make any kind of conscious "ratings-for-cash" stuff, but there is also subconscious side of it. If reviewer knows how important the site s/he reviews is for cash flow (and therefore for his/her own pocket), then it will be VERY DIFFICULT for him/her to avoid taking it into account when reviewing and rating the site (even if they try REALLY HARD). So I would be much more comfortable if I'd know that reviewers (unlike Ken) do NOT even know about cash flows of specific site (and I don't see clear business reason for them to know it, so why should they?). If you guys can assure me that (at least normally) reviewers don't even know how much this or that site generates for TBP, I would sleep a bit better tonight :-). Oh, BTW (if it is not too much to ask for :-)): what was the reason for Ken to make such an advertisement for OTCash; is there some money involved in this kind of stuff (which I personally wouldn't mind at all as long as reviews are not affected)? Motto: "All niches except for boring one!" | |
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| 12-03-09 06:48am - 5498 days | #10 | |
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Denner (0)
Active User  Posts: 1,217 Registered: Mar 03, '07 Location: Denmark |
This is a though one - I surely understand Wittyguys point and just read asmith - it's the same. Then again, like jd - I do not suspect 'payola' here. Take a look at those -let's say 'Top 50 sites' at the TBP scores. Are they not pretty much the same - with a few exception - like the scores of PUs? We've all had different views/score now and then at some sites reviewed at TBP - but generally most reviews at TBP seem very fair to this user. And the newer style in Pros and Cons makes it hard to suspect foul play. Take another site - NOT like TBP, by all means, but still a site that call itsels 'review': Pam's Reviews (as they state: 'brings you honest reviews of adult sites') Man, most here are close to top-scores - how can anybody rely on/trust that. Talk about honesty... Do not know why Vegas Ken made the advertisment - but, ok - at my old firm those marketing-people did a lot of crazy stuff to promote the company - but as long as it does not interfere with the daily - and HONEST use of TBP/PU - what do I care.... "I don't drink anymore - I freeze it, and eat it like a popcicle" Edited on Dec 03, 2009, 07:09am | |
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| 12-03-09 12:42pm - 5498 days | #11 | |
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jd1961 (0)
Active User Posts: 296 Registered: Jun 07, '07 |
For example this site has a higher PU score: https://www.pornusers.com/review/onlyopaques/ | |
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| 12-03-09 06:40pm - 5498 days | #12 | |
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pat362 (0)
Active User  Posts: 3,575 Registered: Jan 23, '07 Location: canada |
I'm willing to give TBP the benefit of doubt on this one for the simple reason that their score is not much higher for most of the sites in question. I might feel otherwise if all of PU's scores were significantly low and TBP's was significantly higher. Long live the Brown Coats. | |
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