SINGAPORE: Some food bloggers believe that a simple” no” should be given when an F & amp, B outlet offers extra cash in exchange for the top spot on the review listicle.
Others emphasized that readers may be informed in advance whenever payment is received in exchange for any kind of policy.
The food reviewers were speaking to CNA in response to the well-known blog SethLui.com, which caused controversy after Charlene Yan, the owner of the B & nbsp, asked if she would like to pay S$ 2, 300 ( US$ 1678 ) for a spot on an article listing the top restaurants in Everton Park.
Ms. Yan was also informed that if she paid an additional & nbsp, S$ 400 to S$ 600, she could be positioned in the top three positions on the listicle for at least a year.
If a client sponsors content, such as listicles or articles, it must be disclosed in accordance with Singapore’s Advertising Standards Authority ( ASAS ) guidelines in order to be mentioned.
Revelations are also necessary when a customer pays for communications in the articles that advertises their products or when they ask for reviews by paying for the product themselves, as is the case with food tastings. & nbsp,
Mr. Lui himself issued a statement in response to Ms. Yan stating that his crew had gotten in touch with her through the media company offering promotion services.
He claimed that when working with consumers, one or more SethLui.com employees had sample their food before writing about it.
It was” apparently false” that his team randomly selects restaurant and sends them ideas of cash-for-content, he said, adding that” if the food quality is far below average, we would still lose the buyer so as not to mislead our visitors.” & nbsp,
A statement for branded or sponsored articles is” placed obviously” at the end of paid reviews, according to Mr. Lui. & nbsp,
Cases of listicles, such as a food guide for Labrador Park and Northpoint City, were sent to Ms. Yan in SethLui.com’s communications with her.
Both are not classified as paid information or advertisements. Mr. Lui declined to answer any additional CNA questions. & nbsp,
” MONEY CAN’T BUY FAVOR ,” they said.
Mr. Tony Boey, who has been writing reviews of meal on his website Johor Kaki since 2012, stated to CNA that he does not take payment from restaurants and food stands. & nbsp,
Unless it’s a hosted multimedia tasting occasion, which I sometimes attend and will identify as such in my post, I pay for my own meals as an unnamed customer, he continued. & nbsp,
Instead, he makes money from various things like hosting Google ads, giving conversations, writing for other publications, and conducting consultations. & nbsp,
Ms. Nobelle Liew, who reviews food on Instagram for her 13, 000 followers under the account @ chocolatetbasil, stated to CNA that she typically declines free tastings unless she has a favorable opinion of the restaurant.
She also makes sure to inform the restaurant owners that she will just publish her honest opinions before going down if she does recognize the enjoying. & nbsp, She has only twice accepted bills for marketing campaigns, both through the FoodPanda food delivery system. & nbsp,
She responded,” I understand why people do it, but I don’t like it ,” when asked what she thought of paid reviews that go unreported.
Ms. Liew said, adding that she views her food reviewing business as a hobby,” I don’t like being paid because I feel like it restricts me from saying what I really feel.” & nbsp,
She also advises consumers who want to pay for evaluations to look for celebrities or reviewers who have built up a following by posting their honest opinions. She is also an independent artist who accepts social media marketing clients. & nbsp,
Restaurants frequently” try their luck” and get in touch with them to try and pay more for a high-ranking area in listicles that are not sponsored, according to food writers. & nbsp,
The creator of DanielFoodDiary, Mr. Daniel Ang, stated that his team categorically rejects like ideas and informs them of their position regarding the declaration of paid reviews. & nbsp,
” Our listicles, such as those showcasing the” best of” hawker centers and cafes, are crafted after numerous anonymous visits and are fundamentally impartial ,” he continued. & nbsp,
Seetoh Kok Fye, better known by his stage name, founded Makansutra, claimed that he also gets a few of these calls each week but rejects them all. Instead, anonymous Makansutra group reviewers may visit the eatery to sample the food. & nbsp,
Money cannot buy that favor. It’s really our tone from the beginning, he said. & nbsp,