Would you write that post if you had nothing to sell?

What are you thoughts when it's obvious that a blog post here on RecruitingBlogs.com was spun/created by a vendor just so they could hyperlink some key words back to their website or the product they are selling?

Comment by Jason Monastra on April 13, 2011 at 1:28pm: I think if it is done in the manner you describe, it should be removed. I must say I hyperlink my blog on all my blog posts (at the bottom) if people want to read more related content. However I only post content that is recruiting and workplace related so I do not feel that it is an intrusion nor is it ever the focus of my posts. However if someone is simply pushing software, a training tool, book, etc that has little relevance I would suggest removing the post.

Comment by Sandra McCartt on April 13, 2011 at 1:31pm: Jerry can post his "nice ad" pic and i will post, "ping you're an artichoke".

Comment by Sandra McCartt on April 13, 2011 at 1:46pm: The online marketer for jobfox is even moderating comments so there you have it.

Comment by Christopher Poreda on April 13, 2011 at 1:46pm: I think it depends on the context and the value of the information contained. If it's useful for the members of recruitingblogs, so what? We all have something to sell...don't we?

Comment by Slouch on April 13, 2011 at 2:03pm: My biggest issue is when words like "Recruiting Software" or "Mobile Recruiting" are linked to the authors website. There are around 166 blog posts that will never get approved because it's so over the top. Sometimes though there is good info hidden within the real purpose of the post. Lately when I see it I sometimes remove the hyperlinks and sometimes it gets by me. I have always said that the purpose of this site was not to lower the cost of sales and marketing for companies who sell into this industry. I think that when people write good helpful posts or share good info about the industry it drives the readers to want to know more about them and when you click on their profile you can very quickly find out where they work or who they represent and take it from there. I like that this discussion is taking place and hopefully more people jump in and talk about it. I can then take the thread and send it out to the vendors in the industry. They should be interested.

Comment by Rebecca B. Sargeant on April 13, 2011 at 9:22pm: Slouch ~ Thanks for taking the time to go through all the posts...it really does keep the trolls down to a dull roar.

Comment by Thomas Patrick Chuna on April 13, 2011 at 9:59pm: If the information or viewpoint they offer sucks, I am displeased

I get annoyed with superficial insights, half assed points, and using a thousand words that don't say anything..until they get to the end: " if you need help with X, follow this link because that's what we do".

But since it's a free site, we take the bad with the good, right?

Comment by Tracey Cress on April 14, 2011 at 9:21am: It makes me not want to buy from them.

Comment by Kevin Cure on April 14, 2011 at 10:07am: I actually got duped by one thinking that it would add value to my recruiting experience. I remember being very disappointed that this safe haven of constructive interaction was not immune from the real world of self serving, opportunistic, predatory recruiters. Well then I doubled my dose of happy meds and continued on my day thinking, that poor guy must get a ton of hate mail and at least it's not me. Now if you guys could check out my new product that recruits for you just enter in the requirements you are filling and BANG, candidates just appear. www.stopwastingourtimeandpickupa phone.com Thank you for your support (ala Bartles and James circa 1980's)

Comment by Ronald on April 14, 2011 at 11:18am: I agree with most that it is annoying and I typically don't look. However, is it any different than simply pushing our agenda? Meaning, most people post a blog to make a point. Some are good, some not. Most of mine are annoying.... ;-) The only question I would have is what is the difference. We are all trying to get some sort of gain out of our posts.