Advertising on third party site

[Peter Gathercole]

Hi can anyone advise on the following. I advertise on one of the largest sites for information in my sector of business. Until November last year we were able to have reviews which they verified then in November they decided to stop reviews. Today I found out that another section that advertises on the site who as the same as me pay for the advertising but they are allowed to have reviews published for ranking. Is there any law that says we who also pay and advertise in another section can or should not be discriminated against in having reviews published.

many thanks

 

[digthecat]

Is it a review or an advertorial that your competitor now has on the site? My understanding is that media owners have the right to refuse advertisers service (even if they don't tell you the real reasons for doing so). If they've pulled all the user generated reviews and started doing sponsored ones it sounds like your competitor is paying money for it and they're paying for exclusivity. Have you spoken to the sales team about it?

 

[Alan]

Is there any law that says we who also pay and advertise in another section can or should not be discriminated against in having reviews published.

It depends on why you are in another section - if it is because of race or religious beliefs, then there may well be some laws, but if it is simply what sort of business you are - unlikely.

 

[Peter Gathercole]

Hi to make it clear the site is supposed to be the largest for the information online. It has different categories of customers. All customers pay an annual fee to place our details on the site. In my category reviews have been discontinued yet in another category they as I was told by a sales person are allowed to have reviews for ranking. I believe if you pay to submit your details no matter what category you should not be treated any different

 

[digthecat]

Does your category have a ranking system too? If so you might have an argument but I think this is just one of those things that's out of your control. Ultimately how the directory chooses to form it's sales packages is up to them. If you've paid them for a full year with the understanding reviews were included then there may be a chance of compensation but otherwise I think you'll have a tough time trying to negotiate turning them back on - there's obviously a strategy behind it. Although it's massively frustrating, don't go to heavy on the sales team. Try and befriend them so you can better understand the decision making and try to find a workaround. Best of luck!