Yesterday, I received a bunch of similar-sounding questions from (what seemed like) newbie readers. They asked my opinion on a subject I’ve spent many hours discussing through the years. Something I’ve never been subtle about.
I guess it’s been a while since I dedicated a post to the topic, though. So, for the newbies, here it is for maybe the last time. This is an example of what I received yesterday…
“Hey MileNerd, what do you think about (untrustworthy blog) buying (shitty blog)?”
Well, it should be really obvious.
But, in 2018, “really obvious” is flimsy. We’re in the peak season of nonsensical logic. A golden era of bullshit. With so many based-on-nothing opinions flying around…it’s tough to have clarity on anything.
We’ve gone deaf and dumb from all the noise.
But if you’re able to quiet it down enough to hear facts as facts, here are some of the simple truths about miles and points blogs…
Many of those “blogs” aren’t what they pretend to be. It’s part of the act to seem like a down-to-earth blogger typing away at home. But, in reality, even the word “blog” is a misnomer. Websites like that should actually be called “online sales flyers for credit card companies.”
Did you know some of them are even owned by banks? It’s a fact that certainly isn’t advertised to newbies.
The daily goal is to maximize “conversions.” Whether the frontman is a shrewd salesman disguised as a dork…or a used car lot shark playing the part of a goofy mom…that’s what you are to those websites – a conversion.
What does that mean?
Again, the answer is simple when you turn off the noise. They want you to apply for cards through their links so they can make big commissions. That’s their interest in you. And it’s why those websites depend on newbies. Your ignorance is money in the bank for them. Readers eventually figure out what’s happening and move on. So the websites need to replenish with new crops of ignorant readers.
How much money are we talking?
For some websites, you (the conversions) add up to millions of dollars each year. This is very big business. And everything they do is for the same reason – to keep you engaged enough to click links. To gain your loyalty and convert you into money.
With the broken logic of 2018, some people get confused and think the issue is money itself.
It isn’t.
There’s nothing wrong with making a profit. But there is absolutely something wrong (to me and my readers) in doing it dishonestly. When the entire purpose is to pack credit card links into as many places as possible…how honest do you think that website will be? How trustworthy do you think the information is? And what happens when a bank has input on the content?
But, believe it or not, thousands of people will actually see a post saying “THE CREDIT CARD TO GET RIGHT NOW” and think of that as a news article.
They’ll literally watch a commercial and think of it as a show.
That’s strange, right?
Yes and no. In fairness, the goal of advertising is to manipulate thoughts. So the website-disguised-as-a-blog just accomplished what they wanted – getting people to see ads and think of them as articles.
When I started MileNerd, it was because there was no truthful alternative available. That really mattered to me. You don’t have to feel as strongly about it as I do. I don’t expect anyone to be as passionate about it as I am. But, newbies, please remember something if you ever send me a link to one of those websites…
I will not click that link.
Really consider how much I’ve put into this and how long I’ve done it. You know what I think.
If you care, it’s easy to make a positive impact in a smaller way…
Refuse to give your clicks to those types of websites.
Pretty simple…don’t go there
And for bloggers who claim to be honest…don’t link to those pages.
Otherwise, you’re part of the problem.
In conclusion, let me answer the original question…
“Hey MileNerd, what do you think about (untrustworthy blog) buying (shitty blog)?”
I don’t look at those websites as blogs. I see them for what they are.
Do you?