Nice one Google.

I’m now a PR2.  I’ve read tons of blogs out there and many have felt the Google Bitchslap.  Many go on and on about how it doesn’t really matter that Google has dropped the rankings and all that, but why the hell does it bother me so much.

Maybe I’ve been programmed to think that it does matter.  That somewhere along the lines of - how am I going to make money bears some weight on that little green bar called Google PageRank.  Isn’t it been programmed into our brains that a higher PR means… more authority on the Internet?  Doesn’t that bar bear some weight in the world of online advertising?  Good PR = Money well spent?  I think quite a few ad revenue sources do look at PR when gauging how much your links are worth on your site.  Doesn’t it?  Have I missed something somewhere?

I wish I wasn’t so hung up on the PR thing.

I totally wish I wasn’t.

But here I am… back at a PR2.  Do I place fault on myself because I’ve been trying different avenues to make money online on a website that is pretty damn hard to monetize.

Is this Google’s way to finally squish their competition?

It’s a hard road.  I never thought it wasn’t.  But damn.

Popularity: 6% [?]

… a peg that’s called PageRank.  Apparently I’m not the only one.  Darren over at ProBlogger has taken a big kick in the teeth taking his site from a PR 7 to a PR4.  I went down 1 to score in at a PR3.

(SWEARING, SWEARING, SWEARING)

I’m not entirely surprised.  When I’d read about the PR drop over at 45n5 and the reasons Mark gives for the possible reasons that ProBlogger got throttled over PR do make sense.  I mean Matt has written about reporting on those of us who use paid links on our site( http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-report-paid-links/).

I haven’t hidden the fact that I do.  But now do we have to work a little more under the table to make a few dollars online?

I mean, I’m looking at trying to make a dollar or two here online.  I take reviews to make that money online, especially on this site which isn’t the easiest to monetize.  I also get paid to put links on my site.  I don’t hide that fact either.  Do I have to start hiding the fact?  Do it all under the table?

There are so many implications to seeing this happen across the Internet.  On one hand I see that they’re trying to clean up their search results… on the other hand I see a monopoly grabbing us by the short and curlies and making it harder to make a few dollars online by offering paid reviews or paid links.

What is this leading up to?

Is it Google’s way to squash the competition and we go back to using them all the time on all our sites being paid pennies a month instead of hundreds (well, for some - for others like yours truely - I make enough to cover my domains, hosting and a beer at the end of the month)…. but you know what I mean.

Seriously what’s going on?

Popularity: 8% [?]

I was just checking in and took a look at my Google Adsense revenue for today…

CRAP.  Over 500 and five clicks … and less than a quarter in revenue.  I’m totally bummed.  Some days are definitely better than others that is for sure.  I have to say that my fan site today is less than stellar - this morning I had 2 clicks and less than a nickle in revenue.  Ouch.

I’m rubbing the Internet God’s belly right now for some major luck in turning this day around… since there is only 4 hours left, this could get very interesting.

Popularity: 3% [?]

I’ve been signing up at a few review sites, some I’ve signed up with months ago and some just this last week. All in search of making some money online doing reviews of products and/or websites.

I’ve got to say I’m not sure this is the most reliable way to make money online. Actually, I know this way would seriously suck and I’m not sure there are many out there who are rollin’ in the dough doing it.

Who I’ve tried so far:

PayPerPost : You’ve probably heard of them. They came out with this system and they got caught in the whirlstorm of conflict about disclosure. What should be said when you write up a review - do you tell people or do you mask it as apart of your everyday content. Well, things for the most part got sorted out and I think as far as the players in this game go - they’ve got a good selection of reviews.

Positives: Good selection of Reviews
Negatives: Low payouts.

ReviewMe : They were actually the second review site that I signed up with. I was EXCITED to be apart of it. When I got the email from Patrick Gavin about this site, I thought that this would be a great way to make more money, why not right… Patrick was behind the Text Link Ads site and I was making money with them.

I found at the beginning I had more opportunities than I do now. I don’t know if it’s over-saturation of the site, but it’s been a desert wasteland for opportunites with them as of late. I think it’s been almost 2 months and nada. I actually turned down an opportunity, because it had no relevance to this site. I didn’t think the sponsor of the article would get much value out of me reviewing their site. So I said no. Since then - I’ve had no offers. That seriously sucks. I wonder if I blew it by turning them down. Well, I guess all I can do is wait and see.

Positives: Good payouts for written articles
Negatives: Offers are few and far between. It could be because of the type of site content I have. Maybe the whole thing is a bit over-saturated at the moment?

BloggingAds : Many moons ago I found Blogging Ads and they asked to advertise certain sites in a quick paragraph at the end of a regular blog article I wrote. I thought this was a great way to make a few dollars and my site at the time didn’t have Text Link Ads on it or was it monetizing for me. So I took them up on the offer. Now they’ve got an actual site and I just signed up with them again and I’m waiting for this blog to be approved. Not sure what offers await. So I’ll keep you posted.

Positives: A consistant number of reviews per month.
Negatives: Low payout. Not alot of offers each month.

Smorty : A new site to the scene and I just signed up with them and approved for this site. There weren’t a lot of offers available - yet. I’m thinking that this site is still pretty new and I’m hoping that it will pick up and be competitive with the likes of PayPerPost. I found this site thanks to 45n5.

Positives: New to the scene.
Negatives: Low payouts - which would mean they need more offers to build up a good payout for the blogger.

Sponsored Reviews : Another site similar to Review Me.   Unlike Review Me, Sponsored Reviews offers bloggers a chance to browse potential offers and make a bid.  The advertiser then has an opportunity to accept or reject the offer from the blogger.  Seems like a good concept and I was excited to try it out.  So far I’ve got nine review requests in - and I’ve had only one response.  The advertisers are VERY SLOW in responding.

Positives: Opportunity for bloggers to pick reviews and offer a price for the review
Negatives: Advertisers are incredibly SLOW at responding.

There are a few others that I’ve signed up for and I can’t even remember them… tells you how often I hear from them to tell me something new is available. If I don’t get a reminder or an offer… I forget. My bad.

But when I remember - or get that reminder. I’ll be posting what I think.

What do you think of review sites? Have your experiences been similar to mine or have you actually hit the golden jackpot?

Popularity: 5% [?]

I have to say it’s been one of the most successful advertising avenues I’ve tried out - Text Link Ads. I am so seriously happy right now that I just have to share - I’ve filled all my ad positions today I’ve never done that here! Woot!

So a big thank you to the Featured Sites for the Month of June:

• Affiliate Marketing Company
• Mortgage Company
• InPhonic Affiliate Program
• Free Advertising from Vlad
• Affiliate Marketing Tutorials
• Affiliate Program at Mom Mag

I am really excited to see things moving along, and that Text Link Ads really do work - and they’re working out for me. I get paid at the beginning of the month and this covers my hosting/domains - for the most part I think the euphoria over being able to make a few dollars every month is what is the kick in the pants for me. I think if you’ve got a site that is hard to monetize, or if you’re looking to cover hosting costs, or if you want to make some extra cash online, then try Text Link Ads out. If you’ve got a good blog - I’m sure you’ll be happy when you do sign up.

I’d also like to thank the following sponsors:

• Cheap Promotional Magnets
  
• T Shirt Printing
• Custom Imprinted Magnets
• Business Promotional Item
• Advertising Products
• Personalized Ink Pens

I found that LinkWorth is another great place to start when you’re looking to monetize your site and get the ball rolling for making money online. I just want to say thanks - since I’ve never done that before.

Popularity: 2% [?]