Lack of product placement here

Theo166

I'm doing a loss challenge at another location and the contrast has really shown me what a great place this is.

Over there, half the posts seem to be a product placement for a BeachBody product. They post about completing some branded exercise routine or pose holding their meal replacement shake with a big grin.

We've got it good here where people post with candor on the products and exercise methods they use, and every meal doesn't include shakeology as the key ingredient.

snickerscharlie

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Geocitiesuser

The advice given on MFP is usually better too. I posted on bodybuilding dot com for years before I realized how horrible it was. All "sponsored logs" where people blow smoke to get free supps. They pretty much undermined my fitness goals when i was young and in college. Not losing weight? "Gotta eat more bruh!" Plateau? "Gotta go on a mini bulk bro". Basically the answer there was never "eat less". I visited my old account the other week and can confirm it is still the same bro-science over a decade later.

tabletop_joe

Agreed! Also it feels a lot less cult-y here than other services I have used.

That said... the hyper-sexy vodka ads I see on the home feed viewed on the phone app can be a little jarring, considering the body image and depression struggles that are fairly commonly discussed by users here. Not a big deal, but seems like bad ad placement to me.

StealthHealth

^^ I think the ads are based on your browsing history? Certainly is the case on PC/Mac web site, assume same with your phone.

pinuplove

I see them here occasionally but the regulars are quick to call them out. It's a beautiful thing I've had to delete a few people on my friend list for the whole 'message me if you want to know the secret to my success!' crap. Buhbye!

usmcmp

Knowing where my mind was when I started I would say that many starting out are vulnerable and maybe even a bit gullible. I appreciate that MFP has taken a hard stance against people trying to sell products or services on here. While some salesmen really believe in the products there are plenty who come here to sell because they know that many are looking for a miracle in a pill, shake, or wrap and they're willing to part with their money if it means quick results with little work (I was there, I am embarrassed at the amount of money I spent on "miracles").

Theo166

To clarify, I'm referring to posters making blatant product pitches, not regular ads. Regular ads are not an issue, they pay for the servers.

I think some companies have a very aggressive viral marketing strategy where customers are 'encouraged' to post about the product, they are sold that the product is doing all the work.

tabletop_joe

StealthHealth wrote: »

^^ I think the ads are based on your browsing history? Certainly is the case on PC/Mac web site, assume same with your phone.

Ah, that explains it since I exclusively shop for sexy vodka online.

IremiaRe

LOL - what are we going to hold up, round here? Brocolli?

Maybe a barbell?

Here's to a continued lack of product placement!!