While there’s not much happening on the blog because I’m launching my new venture, behind the scenes, I’ve taken some serious body blows.
For the third time (usually takes that long for me to take a rumor seriously) this month, someone told me that account managers/sales people at multiple shopping comparison engines have told retailers that I’m paid by another shopping comparison engine to post negative comments about competition. In case that wasn’t clear, people are saying “don’t listen to Brian @ ComparisonEngines.com because he’s paid by our competition to bash us.”
This is a lie. I don’t know how many times I can say this, but I’ll say it again…
I do not make money from the shopping comparison engines or ancillary companies such as data feed management services.
I’m here to help people understand the industry better. I’m here to critically comment on what I see happening at each engine. I’m here to assist retailers in achieving success on the engines. I believe the shopping comparison engine industry is an important part of ecommerce; offering consumers transparency and offering retailers a powerful online marketing channel.
However, I also believe that the industry is young and has many, many challenges/opportunities ahead of it. My critical or cheerleader-esque comments stem from a desire to make this industry more successful for all players involved.
Many executives in the industry have said positive things about me and defended me when rumors or gossip threatened my position in the industry. For everyone who has ‘stuck their head out’ for me, I really appreciate the support.
ignore the critics and keep on doing what you’re doing
Surely the better shopping comparision compaines can not be saying this type of slander. My bet is that the comission driven highly targeted sales staff have came up with the rumour so that they can get merchants signed up quickly without answering any difficult questions. Keep your chin up Brian.
You da’ man B! I would personally bash any account managers/sales people at multiple shopping comparison engines if they even mentioned your name in such a fashion.
Brian,
I can personally vouch that you have never accepted even a cup of coffee from us, and I can’t believe that somebody is actually suggesting that somehow you are biased in favor of a paying client. You have always been very vocal that nobody pays you – not even for writing in searchenginewatch, and that you don’t accept advertising on your site. You’ve made it your job to write on the comparison shopping industry, and nobody does it better, and it seems silly for somebody to suggest that you would compromise yourself and your audience.
Keep up the good work,
Talmadge
Brian. Keep on keepin’ on. Don’t believe the hype.
Thanks everyone! -b