Is It Ideal To Include Similar Products In Your Review?

Contributor: Lilith Bealove Lilith Bealove
I've noticed a lot of people do it, but I haven't because it seems like a pain. But I would like to write better reviews. So, do you think it is...
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
Nice but not necessary
Nazaress , DiamondKoala , BlooJay , indiglo , J Peach , SMichelle , Ghost , Silverdrop , Falsepast , wrmbreze , Chirple , ksparkles16 , Adriana Ravenlust , Kindred , Rossie , - Kira - , ~LaUr3n~ , Ryuson , padmeamidala , JessCee , P'Gell , Positwist , Buttercup Green , Breas , darthkitt3n , goodeatz , Beck , mistressg , woofcub , Kitka , joja , Anastasia Beaverhousen , unfulfilled , Nora , Ms. N , Do emu , wildorchid , VenusianThunder , Lummox , corsetsaurus rex , Petite Valentine , MistressDandelion , bayosgirl , solitudinarian , mpfm , Arch600
46
Necessary
A pain
Just don't do it
Think it adds to the review
Nazaress , DiamondKoala , BlooJay , indiglo , wrmbreze , Chirple , ksparkles16 , Adriana Ravenlust , Kindred , Rossie , - Kira - , Ryuson , JessCee , P'Gell , icyqueen , Positwist , Buttercup Green , Tuesday , goodeatz , Beck , mistressg , woofcub , Kitka , joja , Anastasia Beaverhousen , unfulfilled , Squeaky , Woman China , VenusianThunder , solitudinarian , Arch600
31
Is worth the time
Nazaress , BlooJay , indiglo , wrmbreze , Chirple , Kindred , Rossie , - Kira - , Ryuson , JessCee , P'Gell , icyqueen , Positwist , Buttercup Green , Tuesday , goodeatz , Beck , Kitka , joja , unfulfilled , Woman China , VenusianThunder , Lummox , solitudinarian , Arch600
25
A waste of time
Other (please explain)
indiglo , Silverdrop , Nora
3
Total votes: 105 (50 voters)
Poll is closed
03/09/2012
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Contributor: Nazaress Nazaress
I think it's nice but not entirely necessary. It CAN add to the review, especially if a product is particularly good or bad so you can find one like it that is similar or better. Also, it's good for when products come in a "line", like the Feeldoe line. It's worth the time if you want to put it into it. I don't always do it but sometimes, it doesn't need it or there isn't really a product like it (like an adult game I reviewed).

If you want to improve your reviews, the best thing would be to join the Mentor Program. Improving your writing will make a REAL difference in your reviews as opposed to something small like adding similar products.
03/09/2012
Contributor: BlooJay BlooJay
It's nice to see what other products are similar.
03/09/2012
Contributor: DiamondKoala DiamondKoala
I thinks it good if there is something specific you want to talk about or compare it to as another alternative. Ideally it would be something you have tried as well instead of just suggesting similar looking things. But I think it helps to hear about lower price or equally good options.
03/09/2012
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
I don't think it's necessary, but it is nice. Something strange I've had happen is that sometimes, after adding my similar items... they don't show up on the review. I have no idea why not, but it seems to be a weird glitch that happens to me occasionally.
03/09/2012
Contributor: J Peach J Peach
It's nice to have on there, I think, because if a person doesn't like one product, they can know which products to steer clear from.
03/09/2012
Contributor: Ghost Ghost
I answered as a reader. I like when it has the little "similar products" section, so I can compare toys.
03/09/2012
Contributor: Silverdrop Silverdrop
It can help, but I don't think it's necessary.
03/09/2012
Contributor: Chirple Chirple
I think it's useful. I find a lot of time people describe how powerful a toy is - one of my main concerns, and I don't get a clear idea of it. I don't hold it against new reviewers who don't yet have a lot to compare to - but it's nice to get accurate comparisons when possible.

I do this with most of my reviews, from personal experience. It doesn't take any extra time, doing that. I wouldn't track things down, if that's what you mean - it's better to write what you know, anyway.
03/09/2012
Contributor: spineyogurt spineyogurt
I don't think its necessary.
03/09/2012
Contributor: GONE! GONE!
I like it. It's not necessary but it can be helpful.
03/09/2012
Contributor: ksparkles16 ksparkles16
It definitely can add to a review it is a product that has a very similar product
03/09/2012
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Do you mean in text or in the related products? I think if you can make a comparison between similar products that you have used, it's always helpful. THe related products portion isn't always as helpful
03/09/2012
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
I don't use the little "related products" thing, but I usually discuss similar products in my review. If I can, I take photos of the two next to each other and compare the features of the two. A lot of people are looking to decide between two similar items and I feel this is helpful to them.

I agree with Adriana - just using the "related products" isn't that helpful to me. Actually comparing products in the review text is.
03/09/2012
Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
Quote:
Originally posted by - Kira -
I don't use the little "related products" thing, but I usually discuss similar products in my review. If I can, I take photos of the two next to each other and compare the features of the two. A lot of people are looking to decide ... more
This is what I was going to say. If there are two products in the same line that I own I take a picture next to them, or if someone takes a picture of the toy next to a toy that a lot of people have that helps, too.
03/09/2012
Contributor: JessCee JessCee
I don't think it's absolutely necessary, but I like when I see the similar products in a review.
03/09/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
I don't do it every time, but I do it a lot. I open a new tab, go to Eden and then find similar items, grab the code number, go back to the tab where my review is, and paste the code number.

I usually do it for new toys that people may not be familiar with, so they can see what the toy is like. If it's a sex toy, I always try to only include toys that are made of the same material. I wouldn't say a jelly toy is "similar" to any silicone toy, even if they are the same shape. If I am comparing lubes or massage oils, I attempt to include only those that have similar ingredients.

I've seen some comparisons that have nothing to do with the actual product. I'd rather if someone can't find a product that is like the toy they are reviewing they leave the "similar" area alone.
03/09/2012
Contributor: Positwist Positwist
I like when folks include it so I can be even more lazy when I'm browsing the site. It's not super helpful for me, just a nice addition.
03/09/2012
Contributor: Breas Breas
Sometimes I do it, sometimes I do not. I don't think it's absolutely necessary but sometimes it's a nice addition.
03/09/2012
Contributor: Tuesday Tuesday
I always make comparisons if there are similar products I've used. It adds so much to the review.

I also use the related products thing at the bottom of the review if there are similar products. Readers might not know that there is a similar product.
03/09/2012
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
I'm honestly too lazy to do it. I hate using the tags too. Not entirely sure why, but one day I just stopped using both of those features.

I think it can be handy to have other products there, but I'm more likely to talk about comparisons in the review itself rather than add in similar products at the bottom.
03/09/2012
Contributor: Kitka Kitka
I think it adds to the review and is worth the time to do it.
03/09/2012
Contributor: woofcub woofcub
its nice to have similar products listed for other users that are looking for something similar to what you reviewed but want a slightly different design or price range.
03/09/2012
Contributor: Lilith Bealove Lilith Bealove
Quote:
Originally posted by Nazaress
I think it's nice but not entirely necessary. It CAN add to the review, especially if a product is particularly good or bad so you can find one like it that is similar or better. Also, it's good for when products come in a "line", ... more
I've joined up with one mentor and after I pass (or fail, hopefully not) I am going to do a few more classes. I really enjoy learning from a wide variety of people.
03/09/2012
Contributor: Lilith Bealove Lilith Bealove
Quote:
Originally posted by Ryuson
This is what I was going to say. If there are two products in the same line that I own I take a picture next to them, or if someone takes a picture of the toy next to a toy that a lot of people have that helps, too.
I haven't seen this done much... I think I'll do a review with pictures like this and see if it's "me."
03/09/2012
Contributor: Lilith Bealove Lilith Bealove
Thank you everyone! You have all been very helpful, and I think I have an ide4a on how to make my reviews slightly better. Thank you for you time, consideration, and advice. ^_^
03/09/2012
Contributor: unfulfilled unfulfilled
I'm glad everyone offered you some great suggestions. I try to compare a couple products that are similar in the review itself, but rarely use the feature at the bottom.
03/09/2012
Contributor: Nora Nora
If I have tried the "similar" products, I'll include them, but without knowing the product "first hand" I can't really say "try this one, because it is similar", it may be completely different in use!
03/09/2012
Contributor: Woman China Woman China
I think comparing toys in the body of the review adds to the review. If someone has one toy, but is keen on buying another... this kind of review would be very useful to them. As well, listing each toys pro's and con's then comparing those as well to me is what I would consider a review.

I usually see these on blogs.

Using the product comparison at the bottom of the page, meh. In most reviews people will say this product is like such and such, and if you spend a little bit of time on EF at all, you can see the toy already in your head just by mentioning the name.
03/09/2012
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
I'm honestly too lazy to do it. I hate using the tags too. Not entirely sure why, but one day I just stopped using both of those features.

I think it can be handy to have other products there, but I'm more likely to talk about ... more
I also no longer use tags. I just find that they rarely apply
03/25/2012