Facebook Review 2014

Facebook use to be a really fun social network. People could chat with family they rarely see, talk with old friends, meet new friends, play games, etc.
All 100% of your "friends" (or "fans" if you are/were a Facebook Page) could see your posts. (Unless the person chose to hide you from their newsfeed)

Nothing compared to Facebook, a few years ago, everything else was 2nd and 3rd best.

That is until Facebook started making change - after change - after change. Yes, it gets ridiculous and annoying after a while. (To say the least.)
Now, maybe half of your "friends list" can see your post.

So when you are talking to someone on the phone (or in person) and they say, "Oh did you see where so-and-so had her baby and posted pics?" And you're like, "um, no.." Then you go hunting down her page to see if she has you blocked. It isn't that people are blocking you. It's that Facebook is taking it upon themselves to decide who's Newsfeed we do and don't show up in. (As if people are brainless and don't know how to "hide" people from their Newsfeed that they don't wish to see, or better yet, just "unfriend" them!)

And for the Facebook Pages, their posts now only go out to an estimated 20% of their Fan base. Fair? No. But Facebook wants to make money off of them. For so much money, you can "boost" your posts, etc.. make sure that 100% of your Fans see your posts.

Facebook already had Ads and Sponsors to begin with, and as they grew, so did their appetite for money so it seems. But, along with making these changes that I've noted, they would also make physical appearance changes to the site.

Just as you would think you were use to it one way, months later, they'd up and change something else about it. (Not impressive.) Many people have complained, some have left Facebook. Some only stay to stay in contact with family they rarely see.

It's really sad watching what was the #1 Social Network, slowly going down the drain. (Due to money hungry people)

Blog Directories Review 2014

I miss Bloggers.com and no other Blog Directory, etc. compares to it, that I have found so far.

The friendliness, the "welcome to the community" by virtually most every member, so many invitations to be friends, the willingness to visit each others blogs (even give advice where needed) and, of course, the forums; where one could go to ask questions or just to talk.

It was very unique. When I originally started this blog (years ago, before closing it - then re-opening it) I had joined many sites before finding Bloggers. Then when I did find Bloggers it was like finding a Gold Mine! Not only did I find some traffic for my blog but I found many friends. (And a couple which I continued to stay friends with on Google Plus even after Bloggers shut down)


All these directories that want to say "Free Listings will be reviewed and possibly listed within 90 days". Oh hog wash. If you're that busy (have a full time job, don't have time for internet, etc) then you shouldn't be trying to run a Blog Directory in the first place.

"Oh but if you pay 24.99 we'll have you listed within 3 days"
Yeah, good way to make money off of some desperate people.

The ones that require you to put a button on your page first really irks me. Especially when you put the button, then never hear a word from them as to if you are approved or not. And they do not show up in Google Webmasters as linking to you, even after a month. (Things that make you go hhmm)

This is why you don't see any links on my sidebars. I don't mind putting a link or a button on my site - after I am in your directory first. Otherwise, it's a no go.

The few sites that I have found that were somewhat similar to Bloggers.com, are not welcoming to new-comers. They have their own clicks already set up (the ones who have been there forever), and they do not intend to go out of their way to send out friend invitations nor visit your blog.

So if you're an established blogger, then great. But if you're a new blogger trying to make it - Good Luck.

Snag Free Samples

Do you like to get free samples in the mail, maybe even enter a Giveaway now and then?

There are many Free Sites online, and believe me, I've visited many of them.

But who has the time (hours) to go through all the junk that's on most of the free stuff sites? It can be very time consuming.

What if there were a site, that you choose the categories you're interested in, and they email you those particular things daily/weekly? (your choice)

And what if that site also offered monthly Giveaways -- you would automatically be entered in, just for being a (FREE) member?

What if I told you there IS such a site. It is Snag Free Samples

You have to at least check it out. You will not be disappointed.

FreeOrWin.blogspot.com - New Blog Review

There is a new blog online - if you love Giveaways, Sweepstakes, Free stuff or Samples every now and then, this is the blog to keep up with.

I have subscribed by email plus have liked their facebook page. I don't want to miss ANYTHING... because some sweepstake sites that you join only show you "certain ones" for free, and save the best for the paid members.

I don't usually do many reviews on blogs, but I just had to on this one. So at least take just a moment to Go check it out.

Yes, it's still new and "in the works" so to speak. But so far, so good! As a sweeper myself, I have won many things over the years. And at one time (years ago) I did pay a site to be a premium member to access the best sweepstakes.
But now, I find them on my own, and thanks to this blog, saves me some time.

The Best, Most Accurate Site Stats Checker (Free)

Website owners and authors frequently check their site statistics. After all, site statistics are very important. We (bloggers/authors) need to know where we stand.

Unfortunately, Google Pagerank only updates the toolbar rank once every 3 to 9 months. And Alexa falls up to 3+ months behind.

So how can you get the most accurate, up-to-date information for your website or blog?

The majority of people go by MozRank now days, since it is more accurate and updated more often than Google Pagerank. To learn more about MozRank, (also Page Authority and Domain Authority) click here

Out of the dozens of seo websites that I have tried, there are two sites that update your site stats monthly. (Much better than the other sites) Those sites are:
1. Open Site Explorer
2. Check-Domains

Also, if you would like to get your Real Pagerank (and learn more about Real Pagerank) Click here

Definition of "Real Pagerank" according to Seomastering, "There is no secret that Google shows not real pr. Current PR is usually lower than must be. It could be because your site is young or you are selling links. You can also violate some google rules without knowing about existence of these norms. Therefore, generally, Real PR must be higher than current pagerank on your google toolbar. Our Pagerank prediction tool shows Real PR without any Google's reducing factors."

Read a Blog Before You Judge

As any other blogger, I have been looking for ways to get my blog "out there." I use social media, occasional commenting on other blogs, and I also use a few blog directories/communities. (Check out my post on Bloggers.com, they are the best!

Now, I can understand the need for human edited blog directories, with all the junk and spam out there. But there is one major problem with human edited blog directories as well...

If the individuals who are "running" these type of sites actually browse through your blog, that is great. They will get an idea of what your blog is about, etc.

However, if they get to your site, see just the last post or two and decline you... That is a problem, they have "pre-judged" your site. Whether it's because they were in a hurry or because your blog just bored them, whatever the reason, it's wrong.

And if you have reviews on your site (like me), Some directories (like blogcatalog) will not even take the time to read your "Disclaimer" page. (Thanks Google Analytics) They just turn you down. (Assuming you are paid, a splog, whatever.)

Anyway, their loss; not mine. I know what my blog is about, they don't. There are more fish in the sea.

"Free Stuff" Sites Share Your Information

Everyone loves free stuff. But do you know what happens when you sign up for these websites that offer "free stuff"? They share your personal information (rather you want them to or not) with annoying telemarketers.

I had managed to get rid of the annoying telemarketers back several years ago.

However, recently I signed up with "freeflys" and "bsavings". Within 24 hours I started getting calls from telemarketers.

This was one call: "Hello, my name is ___ and I'm calling from ___. You recently filled out a form online stating that a member of your household suffers from ___."

After that paragraph, I'm sure all she heard on the other line was silence, because I hit the "end call" button on my cell phone.

If she was using a landline phone, she may have eventually heard, "If you'd like to make a call, please check the number and try again."

But, everyone is right. It's not nearly as much fun hitting the "end call" button as it use to be by slamming the phone down on someone. Sometimes I miss my landline phone. (Not often, though.)

The only reason I put my REAL phone number (and not an old disconnected number, like I usually do) is because they were also including me in drawings for money and prizes. I definitely want to be contacted if I win something, but it's disrespectful for them to share your number and info with annoying telemarketers.

So, for those of you who wonder how these telemarketers get your phone number, now you know.

Youtube Pop Up Ads Review

So it seems since Advertisers weren't getting enough clicks or sales from the typical text/banner links, someone came up with the bright idea to force these ads in our faces via Pop up Video Ads.

I recently did a review on a Facebook Game App "Songpop". Now I will tell you about some other facebook games I have tried a couple times, won't play anymore and why.

"Draw Something" and "Words with Friends"

Even though these games are fun, They participate in the annoying pop up advertising.

And when you are on Android or Iphone attempting to play these games, (or any other site/app) it causes your phone to FREEZE, sometimes "force close", and you must re-boot. It's not worth it. I stay away from the sites that uses that type of forceful advertisement.

BlogExplosion

What a laugh! This website obviously has illiterate individuals who view the blogs to determine if they are eligible or not.

After submitting my site, this is the email I received from them:

BlogExplosion is not currently accepting blogs/sites about how to make money online.   We are planning on reviewing our guidelines based on member feedback so it is possible that our policies may change.

Site reviewed:
Reviews and Articles
http://mstokes1.blogspot.com

Ha Ha. No where on this blog have I listed an Affiliate Program, nor have I listed any Money Making Sites or Programs.

I did do a REVIEW on SFI - The post below this one - But as you can clearly see, I do not recommend it to anyone. (Read the post…. Really)

So why would a website representative read one title of one post and assume that you are doing something else other than what you are really doing?

I am trying to help others with my Reviews on Products, Services and Websites. And hopefully spread the word about the good things out there, and warn people about the “not so great” things out there.

It is sites that this (BlogExplosion) that disgusts me.

So if you are looking for Blog Directories or a place to submit your site, beware of this one! Your site will only be partially reviewed.


Update August 5, 2009: I contacted them via their website and received a reply within 2 days. A different reviewer visited my blog, and actually took the time to browse through.

So I guess like many (or most) other sites online, there's atleast one rotten apple.

Review: SFI Affiliate Program

I had joined SFI a few years ago, and stuck with it for a year or more. They suck you in by advertising that it is free to join and you can recruit others and make money from your downline.

What they don’t tell you until after you signed up, is that you must be become a Paid Member in order to earn from your downline, which at the time was $20 a month (It could have gone up by now).

I do not like programs like this. Programs that lead you to believe something, only to discover otherwise once you are a member and can then read the fine print.

And if you do want to make more than $20 a month from SFI, it takes many more hours per week to do it than what many will tell you. The hours per week that one will invest attempting to earn a descent amount of money is not worth it.

Blogs (General)

I love to visit other blogs. I like to see what others have to say, and when possible, make comments on some things that I can agree with.

But one thing that really frustrates me when I am “blog hunting,” is the some of the slooooww loading blogs.

Granted, I am on dial up. But many blogs have too many pictures, too many icons, too much junk in general. I just can not spend so much time on one site, or else I wouldn’t be able to visit but maybe 4 sites a day total!

I wish people would really think about this. I know lots of people think it makes the blog cute or flashy. And, perhaps those with satellite internet have no complaints, but for dial up users, it’s nothing less than aggravating. So I’ve learned that if a page doesn’t load in 20 seconds, I exit it and find another blog to visit.

Hopefully this post will come in handy to some people, it could be the reason that you do not comments on your posts, etc.

I know that I will limit the amount of stuff that I have on my blog.

Triond vs Hubpages

Recently, I joined hubpages, thinking that I could make a little money per month with them. Either I do not know what I am doing, or Google Adsense hates me. I have made nothing, not 1 cent through Adsense on hubpages.

Amazon approved me for affiliate, but I’ve received nothing with them either.

Ebay rejected me as an affiliate. What? I know that sounds strange. I have a good reputation with them, still have an account, use to buy and sell, no negative feedback or anything. Makes you wonder who they put in charge of approving and rejecting the affiliates?

Anyway, you may think, “Well, you have only been a member of hubpages a month or less, or you only have 5 hubs, or you’ve only had 100 total page views…”

BUT… with Triond, you are paid .01 for every 5-10 page views. And with hubpages, 100 page views and 0? It just doesn’t sound right to me.

Anyone who has not tried Triond, try it! And if you do, be sure to add me as a friend.