Maximise hits to maximise ad revenue.

Sounds like what Faisal must be psychotically chanting all through the day when he sits in his office (does he have one?) and devices new, increasingly evil tactics to lure poor innocent members into the unending trap of writing and commenting.

(The background fills with the evil laughter of a man who is determined to achieve the sinister goal of maximising revenue).

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The simplest, yet arguably the brightest, tactic was to introduce ads in the middle of reviews. I know how absolutely exasperated I was when that started. Jasmine and I exchanged half a dozen emails, each one of mine being "Stop inserting those smelly ads in the middle of my reviews" and each one of hers being, "As per company policy we cannot process your request", as though she was some sort of pre-programmed talking doll. (Don't feel flattered, Jasmine, I haven't seen you yet).

Before that we had "Star Writer" and "Hall of Fame" and "Review of the Day" and "Hot Reviews" and all those endlessly e-goodies that were up for the grabs here on MS. You thought you were being recognized? You thought becoming a star writer was some sort of achievement? I'm afraid not. You were just a victim; a victim of an advertizing gimmick, which made more and more vulnerable people write, which lured newer and newer members to try hard, thereby keeping the hits on MS high.

Do you feel used? I don't think so. Your e-best friend Jasmine would never "use" you for her selfish motives.

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Do you really think, Faisal, that the diary posts and the gifts feature is going to bring your website up in terms of the number of visitors? Think about it!

What does your home page title-line read? Consumer reviews on products, products, products.... Something like that, right?

And what do you have displayed on the front page?

Someone who writes a poem on life. Someone who writes a poem on "Oh look! I'm a logoleptic rat in my house with no life so I thought I'd write a poem on love!".

Think.

Hard.

Fast.

== DB ==