This is a long running debate ever since blogs started gaining popularity as a point of reference; and it is one we will not see the end of for a long long time 🙂 But what do you think?
Do you think bloggers or blogs are credible?
Let’s not limit this to beauty blogging, but expand it to blogs in general. If you read my blog, you’re likely to read blogs in general so you are a prime candidate for this! 😀 Do you think blogs any more credible than say, newspapers or magazines? Do you think blogs are less credible?
Personally, I actually don’t read many blogs. But when I do, I attribute credibility depending on the blog content, the blogger, and the topic at hand. Oh and I don’t read many personal blogs either unless they belong to friends so I guess the topic at hand relates mostly to niche blogs 🙂 In general, I find more credible, blogs that speak from experience, that give proper attribution and credit through links to sources (surprisingly few you might be interested to know), that are honest and true to themselves, that use proper language and grammer grammar (pet peeve), and bloggers who blog with consistency and passion.
For example, I take anything published in news and political critique blogs with a very large pinch of salt. There is no middle ground in that genre and this is reflected in the blog posts that swing wildly depending on which side of the fence the blogger sits. A blogger who advances insightful arguments for or against a point of view is likely to be given more credit in my book, than a blogger who just rants and raves irrationally like a maniac 😛 The former in this genre are however as easy to find as a needle in a haystack. So in this genre I don’t think bloggers any more credible than print media.
For food review blogs, which I use as a jump point for research for new places to eat, I give more credit to blog posts that aren’t based on an invited review. From experience, food at an invited review are usually better (portion wise or taste wise) than food you pay for. I had a tummy upset after visiting a restaurant I’d visited before for a food review that I liked, so that was not pleasant. But I do value the information I get from reading food blogs, sponsored meal or not, because it could be a new place I’d never tried or that I’ve wanted to try. Also, I give an allowance for individual tastes, because not everyone loves the same food. But if its a recipe blog, then I give the bloggers and the blog full credibility because some of these bloggers are crazy talented cooks! In the food blogging genre, I attribute more credibility to bloggers than print media for whom most “restaurant reviews” are complimentary anyway.
Ditto with beauty blogs. I give some beauty blogs the due respect and credit because I identify with the blogger, or I enjoy reading their posts or because there is so much useful information in there. Others, I give less credit to because there isn’t enough information, or its just like reading classifieds (ads after ads after promos after press releases). But I do allow an element of individualism because we all have different ways of expressing ourselves and what I like may not be what you like. Everyone contributes in their way. When it comes to product review, I just believe some bloggers and blogs more than others and I lend credence accordingly. Sometimes, its just that gut feel y’know? 🙂 Compared to print media (which I don’t read much of) I think some bloggers more credible in terms of reviews – ever really come across a print mag that has negative reviews? Thought not. They’d lose their ad revenue 😛 But print media have more funds at their disposal in terms of creating content so they can come up with more interesting reads sometimes.
For travel, I definitely give blogs more credibility because they usually have more information on how to get to a location, and places they stay at and restaurants they frequent will be viewed more critically. But for hotels, my to-go resource is tripadvisor.com which is where everyone should check out before you travel or book a hotel! 🙂
From a blogger’s standpoint, I must confess to being a little harder on a product if its been sent to me for consideration. If its something I’ve purchased, I’m usually a little more effusive and more forgiving but if its a service, I’m also less tolerant of shoddy service. Perhaps its just my way of balancing things out, and I realize that like myself, readers may not find anything I say on my blog credible either 😀 But there you go! Win some, lose some 😀
So really, I believe that good bloggers are just as credible as the next journalist who’s paid to do their job, and the two mediums can co-exist. The biggest thing going for bloggers is that most bloggers do it out of passion and interest, not because its just another job; and that, I think makes the world of a difference 🙂
Your Say: Do you think bloggers or blogs are credible? Or what makes you think a blog or blogger more credible? Lets not name names. We aren’t here to bash or put anyone on a pedestal 🙂
Paris B
I pretty much see a blog as ‘credible’ based on similar points as yours. I like it if bloggers can point out both good and bad things in a product review, even small things like for example, whether a body lotion has a thick or runny consistency. It’s definitely a plus if the blogger is able to write well! Makes the whole reading experience fun and keeps me looking forward to new posts. I also prefer to read bloggers who have similar skin type or shade to myself so that I can relate easier. But as with everything in life, I take it with a pinch of salt 🙂
P/S: Funny how you should typo-ed ‘grammar’ XD
Touche! 😉 lucky I didn’t say “spelling” 😛 but yeah. Even from my side of the fence I take things with a pinch of salt. And most times its gut feel
Well, I think bloggers are totally credible but then again maybe I’m biased? 😛
Haha…. Seriously though, bloggers are humans and therefore varied in personalities/ ethics – so, some are credible and some are not. It’s just difficult sifting through and trying to figure out which is which.
You’re absolutely right! I usually go with gut feel. Some people just rub ya the wrong way y’know… Just like in life 🙂 not sure if you’ll come back to read this, but have you found a difference in quality in food you’ve had during an invited review and food you subsequently had at the same place? I have 🙁
Hmmm. I dont go for that many invited reviews… but I think there were one or 2 cases. 🙁
Still, there are also those who are consistent whether invited or when I went by myself – Leonardo’s at Jln Bangkung, Rama V, etc. There are some which I still havent managed to go back a 2nd round after the review – but I aim to do it… sometime?
(Too many restaurants/food. Not enough time/money! lol)
I’ve never eaten at the 2 places you mentioned! I gotta go try, especially Rama V which has been around like forever! I gotta agree with you though – there’s so much out there and so little time/money! 😀
I used to worship the printed media but yeah…
I came quite late into the blogging scene, but blogs are all written based upon personal experience, and that experience varies from person to person. For example, if two bloggers get an iPad each, there is a high possibility that one of them detests it just because. It does not make that guy less credible at all.
I think that we must also be aware that sometimes, not everything is wrong or right, there are grey areas. It’s just up to us the reader to judge for themselves whether or not said blogger is credible.
That aside, I find your views highly credible, PB, you just tell it as it is!! ^.^
We grew up reading print media so its expected 🙂 I do still enjoy reading print media, but I read it for knowledge and info only. Most of them have a huge budget and they have the space and time to get a lot of news out at one go 🙂
I enjoy reading differing views too. Its the only way to make a decision so that doesn’t affect a person’s credibility either. I just feel bad when some clearly not credible people spoil it for the rest of us 🙂 Thanks for putting your trust in me. Will try not to disappoint! 🙂
to a certain extent, i would say blogs are more credible, but not on the printed media at all. for food reviews, i do agree that portion/presentation/taste sometimes could be better than normal though. again, taste is really personal and subjective.
Taste is certainly subjective but from my experience, portion and taste is quite different from when you visit again later. Just like spa visits sometimes so I sometimes pay and go back just to make sure its as good as it is when I was offered a trial 😉
Same as you PB, I have a handful of bloggers whom I really trust and there are some who I don’t base on their writing and I just don’t read them, I guess its personal choice on our liking for a certain bloggers’ writing style!
That’s true too – its just the same with people I guess. We just “click” with some more than others 😉
I have the similiar point of view with you on this. I’ll take bloggers as credible depending on certain products or things. If you may ask me on food, I may take it as 50-50 as each of us has different taste on food. But no harm trying if the food is nice tough, something we may experience from. For beauty blog, well I do take creditability on bloggers before I jump to buy the products itself and decide it works for me. But I should say blog are the most influencial media to me then ads in newspapers and magazines. =))
I do think blogs are certainly becoming more influential than print media in terms of driving purchases. Its hard not to want something when everyone’s raving about it online everywhere you look! LOL 😀
I trust bloggers because it isn’t a parasocial relationship (for example, reading and following a celeb’s lifestyle is parasocial – you know about them but not the other way around). This relationship is mutual and it builds a lot of trust, which adds to a blogger’s reputation. A blog doesn’t have anything to lose other than its reputation really.
I personally think that journalistic standards and integrity has seen a terrible decline in the last 20 years or so. Marketing and ad revenue has already taken over print media 🙁 media after all, operates in a dual product market (selling information to readers, and selling access to audience to companies). Blogs may do the same but there’s a different ethos as many bloggers have alternate income sources and can lobby for their own interests and uphold their own blogging integrity 🙂 this inherent difference presupposes a lot of promising qualities in blogs and bloggers, but of course there will be those who give bloggers a bad name.
I’m more inclined to trust blogs, but I do so judiciously – I lurk for a long time, make occasional comments (only when relevant). Anybody who leaps into idolism or rushes to purchase a product endorsed by a blogger without doing a bit of their own relevant homework should blame themselves for being a poor consumer instead of the media sources available. 🙂
Thank you for your comment Jasmine! It was very insightful and I learnt a new term “Parasocial relationship”! I have to agree with you though about rushing out to buy something only to be disappointed. We have to give allowances for skintype/condition/preferences and sometimes, its worth testing it out in person before rushing headlong into a purchase – and if we don’t, its just our own fault! 😀
I trust only you, PB! ;)) Well that’s because I know you. Yes many times Mr TM has asked in frustration “Why do you want to buy that to try?” “Oh because PB tried it and she said it’s so nice! And the pictures on her blog of that thing look so pretty!”
ROFLOL!! Mr. TM must really hate me. Especially that long distance phonecall I made the last time 😉
NOT all bloggers are credible. It depends. Some people can be bought but some can’t.
Sadly its true! But I guess that’s true of most things in life too 😉
I definitely think that bloggers/blogs are more credible than print media. I don’t really read blogs on food and travel as I mostly read those on a need-to-know basis, i.e. right before I go to that restaurant/country (otherwise there’ll be too much temptation)! In terms of beauty blogs, I find the reviews more honest and genuine if compared to those in magazines or newspapers. Most of the time, those in the printed media is just a rehash of the press release and a short paragraph or two on how “effective” the product is. Beauty blogs are also great in terms of finding cheap dupes and learning tips and tricks, which is more than what one can learn from reading printed media. I used to read personal blogs quite a bit when I was studying (lots of free time to kepoh), but now I mostly read beauty blogs for the balanced information which we may not get in printed media.
Oh yeah, we don’t see many balanced views in print. Everything’s one sided and a good commentary is rare these days, even in editorial columns. Pity really that print allows themselves to be used as mouthpieces (although lots of money does come into play I guess 😉 )
I think that most bloggers are credible. It’s quite hard to fake truly honest reviews, it just comes out y’know .. kinda like Pinocchio and his nose 😀 I much prefer to read blogs nowadays than mags. Lots of their reviews seem to be biased or features are masked as an ad.
I do still enjoy reading some mags/print articles for their articles which can be insightful and enjoyable, and maybe to find out what’s new. I don’t give their “reviews” or “reader’s reviews” much credence though 🙂
There are more credible bloggers than the ones you see elsewhere, I believe. However, I’m a bit saddened that 75% of my year-old favorite blogs are turning into a huge page of sponsored posts that are VERY partial. 🙁
Oh dear that does sound awful. I know how you feel. I used to read a lot more blogs but when the tide turned and everyone started riding the wave, it became harder to sift the wheat from the chaff – doesn’t stop me reading though. Some of them still manage to surprise and they are a good source of info if nothing else 😉
That’s right….some blogs are good info on product release and up close photos of items not available in Asia. Good for us planning to purchase online!
Most bloggers who have a good following are credible. The ones that actually create original content (like you do here) when reviewing something. Those that are not effusive all the time and give pros and cons. Some are really involved and have lots of photos, how-tos and videos. I would trust those.
The blogs that are just content aggregators basically – no, those things are useless money generating exercises.
I don’t trust print media at all when it comes to products, mostly they are just regurgitating what the PR person told them. It’s a good way to find out about new products or what’s the market though.
But when it comes to food, I think food reviewers SOMETIMES have more leeway to give an honest review (like if you are from the Star and you’re reviewing a restaurant, i think you can afford to be more honest since it’s unlikely a single restaurant would actually give much ad money to the newspaper).
Thank you TT 🙂 Perhaps you’re right about the food reviewers but we never really see them say anything is “not very nice” in the papers. While in blogs, even if its a sponsored meal, they at least say “Go for the mushroom soup, its delicious, but the garlic bread could do with less oil” or something similar. I think print media gets a lot of their advertizing revenue from product placements hence their inability to be truly impartial. They are more of a promotional vehicle now.
I think it’s quite the same as individuals, where different people value integrity differently. Same goes to bloggers and how they run their blogs.
In corporate media world, perhaps they are slightly ‘governed’ by ads. However, this depends very much on their editor as well.
Though i’d think when it comes down to personal blogs vs corporate media, it’s easier for individuals to choose to display personal integrity. But then again, that’s not to say everyone will choose that.
Your reviews are very good, in the sense that you point out pros as well as cons, while at the same time remaining neutral. I think you do a very good job of balancing 🙂
Thank you Charlene. You’re right you know. Different people have different perceptions of ethics and some have none at all (Not blogging related but work related – had some bad experiences recently) so I guess like attracts like then? 😉
Well.. you knw what they say, birds of the same feathers 😀
I enjoy reading beauty blogs more than magazines because the views are mostly unbiased and I get to see better, more thorough pictures of a product. I would also refer to blog or forum reviews before purchasing something. It helps to read about different experiences too.
Yes the one thing blogs have that mags don’t – product photos and swatches! Swatches on blogs are the best things ever – helps you decide if its worth forking out money on something that looks pretty in the pan but swatches like crap 😛
I think like with friendships, there are certain bloggers I develop trust with (like My Women Stuff). I mainly read beauty, food and book blogs and I get to know whose opinions are similar to my own, who is honest and whose recommendations I can trust.
Yep we tend to gravitate towards those blogs we can identify with or which we find useful or helpful and we probably lend them more credibility too. Its probably a human instinct 🙂
I think it depends on the topic of the blog. If you want to reference information for lets say an assignment, you would look at journals/articles/books written by credible individuals and not just a random blogger who blogs and might not know his/her facts. When it comes to entertainment/beauty, all if not most magazines/newspapers are based on individual opinions so I think blogging in these topic areas are just as credible as magazines or newspapers.
Good point! I don’t think blogs are good reference material at all for serious things like assignments and articles! I don’t even consider Wikipedia a credible resource although its a good starting point 😉 I guess blogs make good light reading but for the heavies, lets leave it to the journals and books yes? 😉
Call me biased but i definitely trust blogs more than print media since we’re forking out our own money to buy stuff to review (most of the time anyways) as opposed to traditional print media where most items reviewed are sponsored items. Yes we bloggers do get sponsored products sometimes, but its our integrity on the line – i would think most of us are not that easily sold! 😛
I totally agree with you about that gut feeling!! Some people you just know that you can trust! 😀
We’re entitled to be biased, Jenn! Teehee… Its a bit embarrassing to have our integrity sold for a RM60 mascara right? 😉
I tend to trust bloggers who give evidence for their reviews. E.g. Before and after photos. The way they write also tell me if they are objective or not.
I only read beauty blogs. I tend to not trust those who hates or likes a product based on feelings or just because.
I also like to read the background of bloggers. Tend to believe those who have a professional day job, have regular income to splurge (makeup and skincare are not necessities, really) and treat blogging as a hobby. Those tend to have very little advertisements on their blog anyway because they just don’t have the time to think of ad revenue…not as if they care.
2 of my fav blogs are Rouge Deluxe and My Makeup Reviews. 🙂
I also love My Women Stuff and Vivawoman as well.
And I’m sure we all thank you for your support! 🙂
One of my pet peeves when I was on this online forum that had product reviews was a review that went like this “I tried this lipstick on the back of my hand at Sephora and did not like the colour. So I give this 2 stars” It had me going “whaa…” That’s when I knew I had to get out of that forum LOL!
That’s right!!
There was a makeup blog which I read a long time ago. The blogger publish reviews on multiple products per day. In addition, she likes everything she ever reviewed. The reviews are often 1 paragraph long. Now, how can that be if she is really objective…
I’ve come across some bloggers who will always gush about products (which they get from an event/product launch that they were invited to), when I’ve read negative reviews about those products from lots of other beauty blogs. Ok, once or twice this happens, acceptable because not all products work the same for everyone right? But when it happens almost 100% of the time?? Something is definitely not right. Also, it’s quite a put off when they blog extensively about the event as well in the product review, because it starts to sound more like a press ad.
Another thing that irritates the heck out of me? Their atrocious English.
Attending a product event launch can be a very exciting matter for many which might be why they go on about it. I’ll put it down to blogging style which we can either enjoy or not 😉 But language shouldn’t be a compromise (even if I do slip up in my spelling now and again – as a reader has pointed out earlier LOL! >.< )