Youtube "Reviewers"

[Lufty]

I wasn't being specific about any one reviewer. I see it in many reviews by various people, guys and gals.

So they get paid? Heck, I want in.... Eh, just kidding. Actually during my peak in flashlight collecting I had some folks asking to compensate me for my words and pictures. I politely declined saying if it's a product I believe in I'll post it on a forum and say up front that it's a product I purchased and stand behind. I do follow up posts as well. Showing durability and issues.

Now it would be refreshing to see some follow up reviews 6 months later... a year later...

Agreed, it would be very nice and interesting to see any kind of follow up from them, even a month later. They openly recommend a product knowing nothing more about it then its a. appears to be made decently b. works c. being paid to do so

They get paid for "bumping reviews" as in Company X pays them 1,000$ to "review" their product quickly instead of "when they get around to it/not at all", they get paid for product promotions, claiming they use products, product placement, collaborating/endorsing a product and from sales of that product, they own their own websites and direct everyone to buy from their own sites despite them not having good prices, etcetc. I get it, they want to make money. Nothing wrong with that.

But to represent themselves as a reviewer, and to pretend their opinions arent swayed by their own financial gain is absurd. Theirs a fine line to making some money and becoming a complete sellout and a solid majority of them have crossed that line.

 

[untar]

If you think that the majority of reviewers get any significant amount of money you need a reality check. $1000 to jump queue is something only one of the biggest reviewers can do, if you're not at the very top of the field and make such claims you'll be laughed out of their mailbox into the spam folder.
Getting a device for free also gets old when you already have 50+ sitting on your shelf.

Having financial success with a youtube channel isn't easy and it got a lot harder over the last year, if you're not in the top 20 you can be glad if you can afford an extra 12 pack of toilet paper per month from what your channel makes (total, not just yt revenue which is likely to be near zero for vape channels anyways).

Sure, some may just do what appears to be paid promotion but to say the "solid majority" of them doesn't point out what they don't like is just wrong. Where do you get your data from?
It's like saying most bakers put sawdust into their bread because it maximizes profit and then not having any factual evidence to back it up (like one bread with sawdust isn't proof of that claim).

 

[Lufty]

If you think that the majority of reviewers get any significant amount of money you need a reality check. $1000 to jump queue is something only one of the biggest reviewers can do, if you're not at the very top of the field and make such claims you'll be laughed out of their mailbox into the spam folder.
Getting a device for free also gets old when you already have 50+ sitting on your shelf.

Having financial success with a youtube channel isn't easy and it got a lot harder over the last year, if you're not in the top 20 you can be glad if you can afford an extra 12 pack of toilet paper per month from what your channel makes (total, not just yt revenue which is likely to be near zero for vape channels anyways).

Sure, some may just do what appears to be paid promotion but to say the "solid majority" of them doesn't point out what they don't like is just wrong. Where do you get your data from?
It's like saying most bakers put sawdust into their bread because it maximizes profit and then not having any factual evidence to back it up (like one bread with sawdust isn't proof of that claim).

Sorry, I had said it like 5 pages back but forgot to include it lately. But those are the reviewers I was referencing too. The top 10ish (roughly) watched reviewers (not all of them, but many). The ones who many newcomers come across and look to for advice and help. Which is a shame really. But I in no way mean forum-based reviewers (like here, or Reddit, etc). Even some lesser known YT reviewers seen genuine and honest. I was simply talking about the big dog reviewers that hundreds of thousands of vapers use for actual advice and wisdom and that they manipulate for their own gain.

 

[untar]

I'm talking about the very top as well... those who can make a living or part of a living off of their reviewer career.
Eg Phil, Dean, Daniel, Nick, Bogan, Jai, SMM ... they all regularly say negative things about the devices they review, even the ones who "jumped queue" (most of which you can easily guess by looking at their upload history and the announcements of manufacturers).
Those are by far some of the biggest youtube reviewers (excluding Rip because he's... "special") and I fail to see that they all or the majority of them are

a complete sellout

Which of those

own their own websites and direct everyone to buy from their own sites despite them not having good prices

Even Rip doesn't do that...

How do your claims even hold for one second? Where are those people you're talking about and how are they the solid majority of youtube reviewers?

 

[Asbestos4004]

Disclaimer: the only reviewer I'd like to have coffee with is Todd....

But, nearly all of them go out of their way to point out things they don't like about a product. Frankly, China is making better gear....so are the high enders. There's just not as much wrong anymore. I think this has alot to do with reviewers listening to us and manufacturers listening to them. So, love em or hate em, 90% of them are doing us a service.
As far as getting paid goes, good for them. To be successful, you need good cameras, lighting, software and a bunch of free time to edit. Why shouldn't they get paid? I don't think they're taking money for a positive review simply because I think most would rather make a video outing the company who made the offer in an effort to gain credibility with their viewers. Id guess they'd rather get the subs and views for exposing a company than take the one time payment and be known as a fraud.

 

[Walee]

I'm talking about the very top as well... those who can make a living or part of a living off of their reviewer career.
Eg Phil, Dean, Daniel, Nick, Bogan, Jai, SMM ... they all regularly say negative things about the devices they review, even the ones who "jumped queue" (most of which you can easily guess by looking at their upload history and the announcements of manufacturers).
Those are by far some of the biggest youtube reviewers (excluding Rip because he's... "special") and I fail to see that they all or the majority of them are

Which of those

Even Rip doesn't do that...

How do your claims even hold for one second? Where are those people you're talking about and how are they the solid majority of youtube reviewers?

I'm with you on this one. I don't have access to their books and don't want to, but I surely wouldn't make some of the assertions I see here. I get the sense that some here have some deep animosities regarding reviewers. I don't get that. I watched indoor vapers once, laughed in disbelief and simply never went back to the channel. He has a lot of audience so others must find something there they like, so let them watch him. No harm no foul. I guess none of this matters. I need to find another channel.

 

[Lufty]

edit:

Nothing is wrong with them making money, but I dont think its right to represent themselves as reviewers when their more akin to spokepersons or infomercial salesmen.

 

[Punk In Drublic]

@Lufty How do they manipulate for their own gain? Asking not questioning. @untar is correct in that there is little money to be made with YT vids unless you can get your viewing in the 6+ digit range. And the majority of vape reviewers, from what I have seen, are not even close. Rip Tripper may be the most popular vape celebrity on YT and I don’t quite see how he manipulates.

As for their opinions being financially influenced by vape companies – I don’t doubt that. But the majority of vape gear is pretty average, there are not much differences between products with the exception of aesthetics which is highly subjective.

Vape reviewers are no different from those who review smartphones, electronics, kitchen appliances, cosmetics or even automobiles. We use them because it is human nature to seek the opinion of others and to validate our choices in life. I do not see a problem in using YT celebrities as an influence in what we choose. Despite I may dislike some of their personalities, I am grateful for what they offer (well most of them) for it gives me a virtual window allowing me to form my own opinion about a product which could very well prevent me from purchasing something I may regret later.

And not to discredit the personal opinions of actual users but they are nothing more than opinions. We all have different values and needs in life and someone’s else’s opinion or recommendation may not fulfill those needs. I just bought a new mouse for my computer – received great user reviews from the usual Amazon and online store channels. But one thing users neglected to bring up was that the mouse weighs a ton. YT reviews did mention it weight but I ignored it based on the opinions of actual users. The mouse is being returned tomorrow for I feel it’s weight makes it difficult to use.

 

[untar]

Im not about to go through and look through EVERY reveiwer to find their site and post it

Yet you're willing to accuse the "solid majority" of deceiving their viewers... so now at least you're admitting you didn't even do the necessary footwork.

Im not talking about EVERY reviewer

No, you're talking about the solid majority. Which is not just barely over half (which btw would be an overstatement already), it's at least in the neighborhood of 66% to call it that.
If you simply claimed "some youtube reviewers are greedy and untrustworthy" we wouldn't have a problem but that's not what you're saying at all. New vapers may read this thread so I won't let them think it's the consensus here they can't watch youtube to inform themselves about devices they're considering to buy.

Many members of "Not Another Vape Show"/The Vape Team" are the ones im mainly speaking of in these instances

Then why not make the thread about them instead of confusing blanket statements?

 

[Eskie]

Disclaimer: the only reviewer I'd like to have coffee with is Todd....

But, nearly all of them go out of their way to point out things they don't like about a product. Frankly, China is making better gear....so are the high enders. There's just not as much wrong anymore. I think this has alot to do with reviewers listening to us and manufacturers listening to them. So, love em or hate em, 90% of them are doing us a service.
As far as getting paid goes, good for them. To be successful, you need good cameras, lighting, software and a bunch of free time to edit. Why shouldn't they get paid? I don't think they're taking money for a positive review simply because I think most would rather make a video outing the company who made the offer in an effort to gain credibility with their viewers. Id guess they'd rather get the subs and views for exposing a company than take the one time payment and be known as a fraud.

Eh, I'd have coffee with Zophie. Todd I'd rather grab a few beers with.

 

[untar]

Todd I'd rather grab a few beers with

I'd tie him to his chair and use his 3d printer

 

[Punk In Drublic]

Zophie reminds me of that melancholy stoner chick every high school had. Zophie if you are reading this no offence!

But I have to give her props for being one of the most popular reviewers in a male dominated YT topic. You go girl!!

 

[Baditude]

Zophie reminds me of that melancholy stoner chick every high school had. Zophie if you are reading this no offence!

But I have to give her props for being one of the most popular reviewers in a male dominated YT topic. You go girl!!

I think she is pretty good (and entertaining). She always covers the basics and isn't afraid to give a product a bad review. I remember she pointed out a design flaw on a SMOK mod. My kinda girl.

 

[Eskie]

Zophie reminds me of that melancholy stoner chick every high school had. Zophie if you are reading this no offence!

But I have to give her props for being one of the most popular reviewers in a male dominated YT topic. You go girl!!

She can also get away with a little snark about a product without looking like she's trashing it. She knows the fine line to walk instead of hissy fits like Jai. There's something to be said for a graceful panning.

Edit: @Baditude I forgot to mention how well she can work her hair color into the review as well. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Punk In Drublic]

I think she is great. 0 attitude and she can be quite funny at times. She may not be the most technically inclined out of the lot of them, but at least she knows what the hell or torx head is (looking at you Mike and your star thingy comments)

 

[untar]

Tbh I only watch her because I think the lisp is cute
Especially if the company name is "usonicig"

 

[sdennislee]

If you don't think reviewers can dish out negative comments about a bad product watch just about any review out there on the Vaporesso Skrr tank. Vaporesso has put a lot into marketing it and the reviewers are crushing it's ability to deliver flavor which is Vaporesso's most hyped attribute for the Skrr. Here is Jai trashing it, jump to 17:30.

 

[Punk In Drublic]

@sdennislee - +1. And lets hope Vaporesso take note and improves the product as they have done in the past. Which brings me to another benefit with YT reviewers, companies do listen and some make changes before the product is released to the public. Huge + in my opinion.

 

[Punk In Drublic]

Jai also expose the big fiasco with Kidney Punch wire mislabelling their products. The only reviewer that I know of who did so. How far would that QC mishap have gone if he did not make such a big deal out of it. That serious **** to those who may have severe allergies to certain metals.

 

[Baditude]

Didn't Todd do something similar that caused some controversy?