Social Media Optimization and Blogging Ethics
By fiLi • Jun 9th, 2008 • Category: SEO, Web Development, ethicsToday, I gave a presentation on the topic of Social Media Optimization ethics, covering some of the new ethical issues that Social Media professionals are facing. I can say from my personal perspective that these issues are something I’m still struggling with, especially when the pressure from clients and competitors intensifies. The boundaries on the question of what constitutes ethical behavior on the Internet are being constantly challenged and redefined.
Presentation includes a few case studies from Coke-Mentos, Sony with "All I want for Christmas is a PSP" and Walmart with "Walmarting Across America".
Would love to get your opinions on this.
Dishonesty and deception are unethical regardless of whether one is online or off.
In regards to the last point on slide#19, I would add that while consumers can police dishonest companies to some degree, that relying on such policing has not worked well historically. From the American meat packing industry of the early 20th century to pump and dump stock hyping schemes to the current profusion of sites marketing ineffective nutritional products with the help of fake or paid testimonials, it’s clear that companies’ fear of angry customers is a relatively weak deterrent.
While deceptive media may not rate as a significant issue compared with environmental destruction, famine, disease, warfare or other such global challenges, it still isn’t a good thing.