Ethics of the 'Click Here' Avatar

12 years ago

I was the first one to do it a few years back. I got a lot of positive comments about it and not one negative comment.

As far as fake pictures, if it's your real picture it's not an avatar.

George Wright

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Oliver Williams

12 years ago

I suppose it depends on the nature of the product and the way its done. Personally I would view it as slightly covert and possibly unethical.

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WillR

12 years ago

I don't see a problem with it. I also do NOT see it helping people build a great reputation on the forum. I must say when I see those types of avatar pics with the 'Click Here' I just dismiss them. If they are that desperate to get clicks then there is probably a good reason.

I would much rather use a real photo so it appears just that tad more personal. I understand some people's reasoning but it does always put a little doubt in my mind when people are not willing to use a real photo next to their posts. Having said that, whose to know which real photos are indeed real.

Each to their own I guess. But I do generally feel that little bit more connected to those people who use an image that looks genuine.

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Chris Worner

12 years ago

-Chris

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Brad Kast 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Chris Worner

-Chris

Lol. Munchin!

As for the discussion, I think the click here is just way to say, "if you want to know more about me then click here." I don't think there is any unethical behavior behind it.
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George Wright

12 years ago

OOPs LOL,

I guess I shouldn't have jumped in to say I was the first. :

As I said it's not an avatar if it's really you.

And about desperate for clicks? Guilty, I live off of clicks. No clicks no beans.

George Wright

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WillR

12 years ago

Originally Posted by George Wright

OOPs LOL,

I guess I shouldn't have jumped in to say I was the first. :

As I said it's not an avatar if it's really you.

And about desperate for clicks? Guilty, I live off of clicks. No clicks no beans.

George Wright

George,

You're not included obviously. That IS you in your photo.

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George Wright 12 years ago

Will,

Were you in a McDonalds in Korea town Los Angeles a couple of years ago?

George Wright

Originally Posted by WillR

George,

You're not included obviously. That IS you in your photo.
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TBInternetMarketing

12 years ago

Hmm...I must say I haven't noticed this. Maybe I have banner blindness

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kindsvater

12 years ago

There was a recent thread about getting free advertising on your profile page and needing to get people to click on your avatar to see it. The OP's avatar was a 'click here' graphic.

So of course others are doing the same.

My avatars have included:

- Telling people to check my sig.
- 'Matching' the graphic in my sig.
- Fake picture of hot woman

On April 1st everyone should use an Avatar with a picture of Allen.

.

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TMG Jason 12 years ago

Given that this is a marketing forum, it makes sense to discuss and try out every single method out there. Clever use of avatar images is really just another form of marketing.

And, as with all marketing campaigns, if something goes against your personal ethics or beliefs, simply don't do it.
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George Wright

12 years ago

There is a much more "covert" way to get hundreds of visitors to your profile. I'll only tell if someone says Please.Going to breakfast now.George Wright

Originally Posted by kindsvater

There was a recent thread about getting free advertising on your profile page and needing to get people to click on your avatar to see it. The OP's avatar was a 'click here' graphic.

So of course others are doing the same.

My avatars have included:

- Telling people to check my sig.
- 'Matching' the graphic in my sig.
- Fake picture of hot woman

On April 1st everyone should use an Avatar with a picture of Allen.

.

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Claire Koch

12 years ago

i love the picture of allen idea but everyone would have a picture of a big monkey with a cigar! different posses tho lol

Originally Posted by kindsvater

There was a recent thread about getting free advertising on your profile page and needing to get people to click on your avatar to see it. The OP's avatar was a 'click here' graphic.

So of course others are doing the same.

My avatars have included:

- Telling people to check my sig.
- 'Matching' the graphic in my sig.
- Fake picture of hot woman

On April 1st everyone should use an Avatar with a picture of Allen.

.

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Will Edwards

12 years ago

Originally Posted by kindsvater

There was a recent thread about getting free advertising on your profile page and needing to get people to click on your avatar to see it. The OP's avatar was a 'click here' graphic.

Not so

Will

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John Romaine

12 years ago

It was probably this thread HERE that started all this nonsense.

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Simmeon 12 years ago

Originally Posted by ramone_johnny

It was probably this thread HERE that started all this nonsense.

Maybe, not sure really.
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tryinhere 12 years ago

Originally Posted by ramone_johnny

It was probably this thread HERE that started all this nonsense.

I did not notice the avatar went through as well, thats a neat little bonus, but the idea was a good, I adjusted my profile posts as a mini latest ads board, this is a forum of marketers yes ?
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Black Hat Cat

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Will Edwards

Recently I have noticed a little trend developing here at the WF in the way that avatars are used and I was wondering how other members felt about it.

There have always been people who have made quite clever use of their avatars and perhaps have, to some degree, flown under the radar. For example, the use of stock photos of attractive girls or some other clever ploy to get traffic to their profile page.

But more recently, I notice the blatant 'Click Here' avatar is becoming increasingly common. When you follow these links to the profile pages, you are confronted with blatant advertising.

So I would like to know what you think. Is this clever advertising or is it an unethical or unacceptable tactic in the discussion forum?

Will

Is this a joke? Seriously, is.....is this a joke?

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George Wright 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Black Hat Cat

Is this a joke? Seriously, is.....is this a joke?

Ya wanna joke? Heas ya joke!

An avatar walks into the local avatar bar with his friend the click. The bar tender says, "Why is that CLICKHERE?"
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- Paul Myers 12 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by George Wright
  
  Ya wanna joke? Heas ya joke!
  
  An avatar walks into the local avatar bar with his friend the click. The bar tender says, "Why is that CLICKHERE?"
  
  A grasshopper walks into a bar and jumps up onto a stool. The bartender says, "Hey! We have a drink named after you!"
  
  The grasshopper says, "You have a drink named Walter?"
  
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Will Edwards 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Black Hat Cat

Is this a joke? Seriously, is.....is this a joke?

No, it's a question.

Will
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Paul Myers

12 years ago

I don't see the problem. Which rule is it breaking? How is it in any way deceptive? Does it disrupt the normal use of the forum? Interrupt otherwise productive discussions? Why would this seem unethical?

Paul

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GarrieWilson

12 years ago

If they are that desperate to get clicks then there is probably a good reason.

The same could just as easily be said for people who put "Click here" in their sig. Both are being used as advertising mechanisms. Originally, sigs where used to put your name and contact details not to run adverisements. That changed just like the avatars have and continue to do so.

Garrie

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tryinhere

12 years ago

Originally Posted by GarrieWilson

The same could just as easily be said for people who put "Click here" in their sig. Both are being used as advertising mechanisms. Originally, sigs where used to put your name and contact details not to run adverisements. That changed just like the avatars have and continue to do so.

Garrie

The only problem i see with the click here avatar is it sells squat, it's just another click here logo? and most here would be blind to that, maybe there is a market opening for a graphics person to develop 80 pxl mini square ads, but some more detail before click here may produce a a better ctr.

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GarrieWilson

12 years ago

The only problem i see with the click here avatar is it sells squat, it's just another click here logo?

After the click is when the selling starts. I just added it to test if it increases profile views and then if the profile ad actually sells. It may, it may not but wont know until its tried. Of course it is blind clicks and a different avatar for something else might be better.

However, calling people "desperate" for trying it is over the top.

Garrie

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tryinhere

12 years ago

Originally Posted by GarrieWilson

After the click is when the selling starts. I just added it to test if it increases profile views and then if the profile ad actually sells. It may, it may not but wont know until its tried. Of course it is blind clicks and a different avatar for something else might be better.

However, calling people "desperate" for trying it is over the top.

Garrie

Just made a quick ad up and lets see how they run, intersting twist.

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GarrieWilson 12 years ago

Originally Posted by tryinhere

Just made a quick ad up and lets see how they run, intersting twist.

Might want to increase the free copy text.
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- tryinhere 12 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by GarrieWilson
  
  Might want to increase the free copy text.
  
  Yep I fixed up real good and deleted it, ? not sure it just felt spammy to me, have not had an avatar for so long it seemed strange, I also have a paid image for my Sig and hardly if ever use for the same reasons.
  
  I think I'm just happy kicking around under the radar and if somebody falls back in the profile then all well n good but pushing them back there ?
  
  each to their own , it is a great idea
  
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sal64

12 years ago

Originally Posted by GarrieWilson

After the click is when the selling starts. I just added it to test if it increases profile views and then if the profile ad actually sells. It may, it may not but wont know until its tried. Of course it is blind clicks and a different avatar for something else might be better.

However, calling people "desperate" for trying it is over the top.

Garrie

Ever considered some split testing by adding the words "To See Me Naked"on your avatar?

Sal

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Genycis

12 years ago

Never bothered me for real on any forum. I tend to bypass them on there too. Signatures make for a much more enticing means of clicking on something as far as I'm concerned versus the avatar click. But in terms of getting upset and changing forum rules, I don't see it as a big deal personally. Whoever is going to want to click will, and whoever doesn't, won't. After all, the click is only going to the profile regardless. Just my thoughts on the matter.

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Genycis

12 years ago

Side note, Chris, you can't put that as your Avatar can you? (The munching avatar). That's funny! Classic!

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John Romaine

12 years ago

Its going to really take the personal element out of the forum if Im reading a thread with 5 pages of responses, and EVERY single avatar reads, "click here".

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sal64

12 years ago

Originally Posted by ramone_johnny

Its going to really take the personal element out of the forum if Im reading a thread with 5 pages of responses, and EVERY single avatar reads, "click here".

So...

did you click to find out what all the fuss was about?

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John Romaine 12 years ago

Originally Posted by sal64

So...

did you click to find out what all the fuss was about?

No I didnt. Why would I?

My eyes are on the prize, not BSO's.
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mojojuju

12 years ago

>>Click Here!<<

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twelvejewelz

12 years ago

IMO its fine to do as long as you are providing something useful and not just "spam"

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Ethics of the 'Click Here' Avatar

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