So let it be written, so let it be done. :)

(Of course, that's assuming your implied assertion that BA revenue is not down this summer is correct, contrary to TBB's assumption...not sure it's wise of me to make that assumption given all of the false assumptions that have been based on false assumptions this week!!!)

Pretty hilarious reading this when so many big time businessmen expert bloggers did exactly that with the Avios debacle! :D
This is EXACTLY what my eyes see every day in so many blogs I follow (353 to be exact!).

And mine was preceded by this disclosure ON TOP:
Warning: I have a very strong imagination and like to make up things and then channel them into my blog. It makes me feel better “letting it all out” and also makes me feel important. This is my way of dealing with my inner inadequacies and insecurities. Whatever. Brace yourselves!

Okay so let's zero in what I DID write:

>>>>>>>>>>>Loyalty Traveler (who I very highly respect) let that slip in his blog a few days ago which led me to comment further and, oh boy, are we seeing a turn in BA blog content lately or what?

Nailed it! I see it every day in Feedly.

>>>>>>>>>>>MORE posts trying to get views to soften some of the revenue losses ( I am guessing) and, brace yourselves big time, if you thought BA was already very credit card sell happy…you haven’t seen nothing yet!

Nailed it. I see it every day in Feedly.

>>>>>>>>>>>Actually, you are seeing a prime example in the amazing BIG TIME pump at One Mile at a Time in just the past few days!

Nailed it again.

>>>>>>>>>>> As you know, I am used to this stuff but even I am just blown away

Yep...I am!

>>>>>>>>>> I think in rough down revenue times from advertising sources you see the true colors of our favorite bloggers who do it for “friends and family” :-) Sadly (again), the good responsible bloggers (like Loyalty Traveler for example) are the ones who get hurt the most in these developments…

I stand by it. Sometimes I drink late at night when I blog but not that night. I had run out of booze :D

>>>>>>>>>>I would not be shocked if some of the BA biggies decide to go it alone. Actually, I am very surprised they haven’t done so as The Points Guy, Million Mile Secrets and Frugal Travel Guy are cleaning up the vast newbie market all to themselves!

Stating what my imagination dictated to my brain which directed my fingers on my keyboard. No arguments about MMS TPG FTG cleaning up on the newbie market I would venture to say...So, so far I am doing pretty good hey?

I then have the link to LT's post that begins with "Apparently ad payouts for blogging are ‘down the toilet’ summer 2014." I trust Ric so it does not appear an oblique reference to ME. It's not like you BA bloggers talk about this stuff openly you know...but let's continue along...

>>>>>>>>>>What I also would like to know is to find out what happened? Why did these advertisers suddenly decide to stop paying handsome prices?

BA has some pretty high ad rates, Randy has done a great job at that.

>>>>>>>>>>>The industry is known to be having some pricing challenges but the drop off at Boarding Area seems to be way too high than most anticipated?

I stand by it. Ric saying ad rates going down the toilet was one hint. I better stop there wearing my journalistic hat for a moment...

>>>>>>>>>>Of course, just like Amex, they could come back in a flash and oh happy days are here again as the advertising revenue does provide some meaningful income (from what I hear) to most bloggers.

Expressing my hopes because I love all of you. Except Delta Points :-)

>>>>>>>>>> I think of all the new bloggers who came aboard recently, especially all the ones at prior2boarding. I have no doubt that getting ad revenue was the big draw (heck, I would love it too!). Were they warned that this may not be the case any longer in the future?

I stand by it and asking a hypothetical question. Can we do THAT?

>>>>>>>>>>Or is this the reason for suddenly opening the gates to accept more bloggers to keep the traffic hit numbers up to stave off the revenue hit?

Asking another question. I think I can do that in my blog.

>>>>>>>>>>>Questions, questions looking for answers.

Got any answers instead to correct my "erroneous" claims?

>>>>>>>>>>> If someone at BA like to comment please do so below or directly to me. I will always honor your request to be off the record if you so desire.

It worked ^

>>>>>>>>>>>It is fascinating to watch all this happening…

It sure is.

Anyways, I don't want to link directly here to my post. If you are looking for it the title starts with "Breaking News: Boarding Area to be renamed Credit Card Area" which was intended as a joke in a site that is a joke.

I am falling behind on FT, too many effing blogs to keep track lol.

I'm directly aware of the situation regarding revenue within Boarding Area. The situation presented in that post is not entirely accurate. There's also the part where the comment made on LT was not specific to Boarding Area, but no one wants to consider that because it isn't nearly as useful to the story line being played here.
And they screwed up, too. They were called on it here and you should be too. Nothing good comes from having one set of blogs held to a different standard.

Among the claims I find suspect is the suggestion that there has been a sudden shift in content to focus more on CC posts. I do not believe that is at all true. In fact I'd bet that the numbers have been the same on average for more than a year now. Feel free to show some evidence to the contrary with counts on the number of posts, but the folks shilling for CCs have a DL AmEx post every now and then and have for a long time now. That's not new.

Heck, the actual number of posts overall on a per blogger basis hasn't even really changed. But you've claimed that as well.

Yes, you have a wild and active imagination. That's fine. But the conclusions you've drawn miss reality. Just like the Avios posts earlier in the week you were so quick to judge.

>>>>>>Among the claims I find suspect is the suggestion that there has been a sudden shift in content to focus more on CC posts. I do not believe that is at all true. In fact I'd bet that the numbers have been the same on average for more than a year now.

I believe it is true. I see it in Feedly feeds EVERY DAY! I spend enough time hurting my eye sockets to start counting...all I know is that IS TRUE. You disagree. You called me in PMs I spread lies. I think you are full of BS.

>>>>>>>.... but the folks shilling for CCs have a DL AmEx post every now and then and have for a long time now. That's not new.

The number of Amex related posts dropped significantly when Amex pulled the plug and jumped again when they came back. Look at Delta Points :D I think you are wrong again Seth.

>>>>>>>>>Heck, the actual number of posts overall on a per blogger basis hasn't even really changed. But you've claimed that as well.

I noticed frequency of posting went up after the ad revenue went down. I am standing by it.

>>>>>>>>>>Yes, you have a wild and active imagination. That's fine. But the conclusions you've drawn miss reality. Just like the Avios posts earlier in the week you were so quick to judge.

I do have a wild and active imagination, not going to deny it. I am fine with my conclusions and you clearly disagree with them, which is cool.

I am still waiting for you to enlighten me about my "erroneous claims" and lies. Much different than, based on my judgment, they are erroneous "conclusions".

This is the reply to your latest PM. Calling me for "spreading lies" is ludicrous. The rest of your arguments are not worthy addressing them as I see you did not bother addressing my points in my long post above. Shaking my head with you, wow!

C' est la vie.

I will have BAcon something for lunch with my kids ^

Are you going to steer us towards more entire accuracy? Telling us that LT and TBB have got something wrong is fine -- but it would be good to have more than "trust me" given that gpapadop is clearly sticking to his guns.

So often there is just so much that is NOT said in the P&M blogger space.

Yesterday, for example, VFTW did a new cashback card announcement/analysis/commercial.

In the comments someone pointed to a different blog that was calling out the VFTW post for not being totally forthcoming at the behest of Citi and instead just posting the talking points about the card that they had provided to him as an affiliate. Gary's response was "The claim is absurd, (1) why in the world would Citibank not want me to write about how redemption works? (2) I don’t generally make “much more than $1000 per month” from Citibank?

Why in the world? Don't generally? If he were talking about Avios, Gary himself call that "a non-denial denial." ;):p

Oh well, he was on MSNBC and Marketplace this week, so he must be the expert! ^

I read TBB pretty regularly and like the site. But LT's statement seems pretty clearly to be in the context of P&M bloggers universally*, not just BA. I think you jumped the shark in basing your writeup on a misreading of LT's quote.

*At least that's how it reads in his blog post. If he intended something different it didn't come out that way.

Nothing wrong with speculation (1/2 of FT threads are mostly that) but since the LT statement on revenues was the foundation of your speculation about BA bloggers' actions, it doesn't really hold up IMHO. Unless there is more info that someone has that the rest of us don't.

sbm12 - do you mean that LT's quoted statement isn't totally accurate as well? Or just the TBB post about it?


He must be taking lessons from politicians on how to do non-answer-answers.

But hey, it's only "not much more than $1,000" so it's just pocket change anyway

In this post over at VFTW you can find what may be the first case of a blogger telling us that it “makes sense” for a card issuer to slap on foreign transaction fees.

It makes sense for the card issuer, of course, so in that sense it's not "wrong or misleading", and at least it's mentioned. But for consumers it's definitely a negative feature of the cards (sorry, "points tools") being pushed.

Yeah, that was a weird commercial too. He's done a few weird ones this week.

The statement made by LT was relatively generic. This is just one of many articles suggesting that "ad rates remain low and continue to drop" in the industry.

Knowing Ric and having had some communication with him recently I believe that this is mostly what he was referring to in that post.

And, despite the assertions by gpapadop/TBB that he's seeing different behavior I remain suspect of those claims. As I mentioned in my previous comment here I do not believe that the number of overall posts about CCs has changed month over month nor do I see an increase in post frequency despite the claim that "I noticed frequency of posting went up after the ad revenue went down." Unless there is actual evidence of a change in posting patterns by those so accused - a claim which I believe remains suspect - then it is all just noise, not signal.

Within this realm of discussion I'd like to know when, exactly, he believes the revenue numbers dropped, when he saw a change in the posting behavior (and from whom he saw a change) and how he's been tracking such. I don't care that there is some VERY LARGE number of feeds being followed.

There is a claim implied in that last quote which suggests that gpapadop has some sort of inside knowledge on the revenue numbers from the Boarding Area bloggers. I believe that implication to be false. If he's got evidence then present it. Otherwise I'll stand by the assertion I've made for several days now that he's full of crap. And an overactive imagination is fun for some, but in a thread focused on calling out "misleading" information I have no problem doing so.

Put another way, tell us what you know about the revenue numbers, gpapadop, or STFU.


He can "stick to his guns" all he wants. I'm not going to tell you the specifics of my revenue numbers to that level. I suppose you'll have to decide if you trust a guy who claims that his blog is really just a big joke where he's making stuff up the whole time or someone who actually knows the reality of the situation and who has access to the real numbers.

I understand that gpapadop has built quite the reputation as a "man of the people" by challenging the bloggers at every turn. But those challenges have always been made based on inference and conjecture. In many cases he's admitted that he doesn't actually know what's going on behind the scenes.

I can only say that I know for a fact that the assertions made recently are false and I've never really been one to play the "game" as so many see it. You can believe him or you can believe me. Insomuch as I know what I've seen on the numbers I believe me more than him. Feel free to choose differently.

dupe; sorry

>>>>>>>>This is just one of many articles suggesting that "ad rates remain low and continue to drop" in the industry.

That is correct. BA is in this industry. Ad rates have gone lower-------> Ad revenue has gone lower. It's not rocket science!

>>>>>>>>>I do not believe that the number of overall posts about CCs has changed month over month nor do I see an increase in post frequency despite the claim that "I noticed frequency of posting went up after the ad revenue went down." Unless there is actual evidence of a change in posting patterns by those so accused - a claim which I believe remains suspect - then it is all just noise, not signal.

I stand by what I wrote and I think you are wrong. Are you denying that Amex related credit card posts did NOT increase since Amex came back in the fold? Are you denying that OMAAT suddenly has gone all cc link happy? 13 Chase cc links on a question of a reader about the Chase Ink Cash Card.....the Chase INK Cash card!!!! I am seeing it ever since November 9, 2012 and I have not missed a day in Feedly since then. I may be delusional about a lot of things but this one I am NOT.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>There is a claim implied in that last quote which suggests that gpapadop has some sort of inside knowledge on the revenue numbers from the Boarding Area bloggers. I believe that implication to be false.

You can believe whatever you want dude. I better stop here...

>>>>>>>>>>>>>If he's got evidence then present it.

Yes I have it and no I won't!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Otherwise I'll stand by the assertion I've made for several days now that he's full of crap.

I respect it. I disagree :-)

>>>>>>>>>>>>And an overactive imagination is fun for some, but in a thread focused on calling out "misleading" information I have no problem doing so.

I went line by line copying my post and what I said still looking for those "erroneous claims". I see you chose not to dispute what I WROTE. I can conclude whatever the hell I want. All you bloggers do so anyway and you are the "experts"! Geesh!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Put another way, tell us what you know about the revenue numbers, gpapadop, or STFU.

I know what I know. Think!

>>>>>>>>>>>He can "stick to his guns" all he wants. I'm not going to tell you the specifics of my revenue numbers to that level.

Why not? You are all so hot about this out of the blue sending me PMs calling me a liar and questioning my character. How much did YOUR ad revenue go down? Enlighten us dude! Make me STFU. If your ad revenue did not go down recently I will publicly apologize to you and all BA bloggers (well, except one, you know who you are).

>>>>>>>>>>>>>I suppose you'll have to decide if you trust a guy who claims that his blog is really just a big joke where he's making stuff up the whole time or someone who actually knows the reality of the situation and who has access to the real numbers.

My blog is about entertainment. Fully disclosed up front in every post. It is obvious you have not been reading me and that explains your reaction...I think.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I understand that gpapadop has built quite the reputation as a "man of the people" by challenging the bloggers at every turn.

Lol, "man of the people". I kind of like it actually, thank you very much. I have been following this quirky space for almost 20 years and I am very saddened it has turned to a giant cc pumpization free for all. I always really admired you for not going along with this! And I had you in my ridiculous "Blogs I Like" list. You are a unique dude Seth, I always admired how you spoke your mind. And I was amazed how I had escaped your wrath. Until now that is.

>>>>>>>>>>>> But those challenges have always been made based on inference and conjecture.

Maybe I should come to BA so I can feel like home then!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>In many cases he's admitted that he doesn't actually know what's going on behind the scenes.

Yeah, I am too busy keeping up with Feedly lol.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>You can believe him or you can believe me.

Yep, it's a free country!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Insomuch as I know what I've seen on the numbers I believe me more than him. Feel free to choose differently.

I am willing to lay it all out what my revenue is (not much lol). You want to shut me up? You know what to do. Until then I can make conclusions based on what I have seen. They may be wrong. Until there is FULL Transparency I guess we may never know.

Have a great weekend everyone!

My how Tabloid Buzzard can dish it out but not take it himself! :rolleyes:

Just shocked a Amazon link was not tossed in the mix a few times even here!:o

Tabloid at BA - what a joke! :p

Like I said...it would fit perfectly :cool:

Of course you can. But your blog is just entertainment and satire, right? Or is it an attempt to be accurate and analytic?

Seems you're having trouble deciding as you waffle between different defenses of the recent content.

I have no problem with either version, but if you write schlock which I know to be untrue then I'll call that out. Just like all the other posts in this thread identifying other "wrong or misleading" posts.

I've never claimed that my blog is just for entertainment. Nor have I suggested it is just my imagination running wild. And I've owned up to the mistakes I've made. Seems you've avoided all of that with great gusto on this one. Why??