What is more important to you in a review?

Contributor: Cookie Monster Mike Cookie Monster Mike
Recently I have been seeing mostly 2 different types of reviews. The kind that is either completely serious and to the point detailing the product and actually focusing on reviewing it. Or in some cases, mostly serious and focusing on the product with a slight hint of comedy/fun/personal touches. Mind you, I like the experience section and reading someones use and experience of the product, whether serious or very personal as this is appropriate and helpful in this section.

The second, is the opposite, where the reviewer focuses either partially on the product itself, but more on wanting to make funny comments and jokes. Or doing this while also comparing to many many other products are talking more about them than the product they are reviewing.

I will note that i'm not singling anyone out, it's just something I noticed and I was curious to know what other thought? What is more important to you in a review if you had to choose either one of these styles.

Yes yes yes I realize there is a lot of things in between and other types of reviews, but I am focusing on these 2 types. If you feel you need to select the other option and further explain why then feel free

Personally for me, I prefer a review that focuses mostly on the product that is being reviewed. I like a serious review with hints of humor/jokes/personal touches. But when I read a review, i'm not reading it because I want to know about the 20 other products you have used, I want to learn about the one you are reviewing. I understand comparisons can be extremely useful, and while I say 20 products, that is an exaggeration but you get the point. I don't mind if someone compares to 2 and maybe 3 products, but keep it short and simple. If I read a review that focuses too much on the compared products, then I feel it is not helpful at all and that you are just reviewing other things. I guess when I read a review I want to know and learn as much about the reviewed product as possible. But we are all different.

Suffice to say I would love to hear your thought's on this.
Private voting is set, feel free to say anything in response to whatever you voted.
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
I prefer a serious well thought out review that focuses on the product (with some or no humor/personal touches)
55  (85%)
I prefer a not so serious review that doesn't focus much on the product but rather making jokes and comparing to other things.
2  (3%)
Other
8  (12%)
Total votes: 65
Poll is closed
03/19/2012
  • Save Extra 50% On Sexobot Attachment
  • Upgrade Your Hands-Free Play!
  • Save 70% On Selected Items. Limited Quantity
  • Complete strap-on set for extra 15% off
  • Save 50% On Shower Nozzle With Enema Set
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
All promotions
Contributor: dhig dhig
i enjoy some humor and what not, but the products info comes first for me.
03/19/2012
Contributor: Gary A. Gary A.
Quote:
Originally posted by dhig
i enjoy some humor and what not, but the products info comes first for me.
I feel very similar in this matter. I really don't mind some personal touches, humor, jokes, stories comparisons. But I feel they should be somewhat limited. If they take over the review and the product itself sits in the background while you simply joke around, how is that helpful?

Then again, I don't want to read a review that reads like a robot. The light touches of some humor, a joke, personal experiences with the product are great. I love a comparison when it is useful, like "the smell of this vanilla candle product lasted longer than Glade brand vanilla candle" that is a very useful comparison as Glade candles would easily be accessible and to compare to.

I have read a few reviews where in the taste/aroma section there is literally only one or 2 sentences about the product they are reviewing, then 2 or 3 paragraphs about other random stuff about other products. I feel it strays a bit and becomes unhelpful. Just my thoughts and opinion on that!
03/19/2012
Contributor: calliope calliope
Eh a bit of both. I want the correct info and what not or corse but I hate the crazy long detailed reviews. I have found for the most part they tend to be repetitive so I just skim through them. who wouldn't want a bit of humor?
03/19/2012
Contributor: Cookie Monster Mike Cookie Monster Mike
Quote:
Originally posted by calliope
Eh a bit of both. I want the correct info and what not or corse but I hate the crazy long detailed reviews. I have found for the most part they tend to be repetitive so I just skim through them. who wouldn't want a bit of humor?
Well depends on the person, some people are strictly professional with a lot of things in life. But I personally do like a bit of humor.

I can see how long detailed reviews can be repetitive, in some cases in mine I have had to mention the same thing 2 or 3 times through-out the review. Just depends what it is, if it's an allergy warning I see it more useful, but I try to only repeat important things, and at least change it up each time.

Performance and experience are my 2 problem areas, I always want to repeat things in those sections
03/19/2012
Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
What I prefer is for it to be serious, but for me maybe the MOST important section is the 'experience' section. Yeah there are 20 other reviews on this product talking about the material, but did it work for you? Why or why not?

Maybe that's just me.
03/19/2012
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
I also agree that the Experience section is the most important.

I do like product comparisons, but not if they are most of the review. If I do this, I'll usually add it in the Personal Comments section and leave it in that area. Or sometimes in the Performance section I'll mention what other vibrators have similar strengths and leave it at that. If you compare 5+ products, the review will get bogged down with it.

I tend to write long, detailed, and fairly serious reviews. I'd make jokes, but they wouldn't be funny because I'm more sarcastic than humorous. So I just write the way I speak, which is on the formal side, but I don't think obnoxiously so. I do like to read humor in other reviews, again, so long as it isn't a whole review of jokes with no product info.
03/19/2012
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Jokes/humor really don't matter to me in a review. I'm not reading it to be entertained, I'm reading it to find out about a product. So my preference is for a review to focus on the product that is being reviewed, and for it to be as detailed as possible.

I don't mind if humor is in there, but I prefer that the actual content of the review not be sacrificed just to be able to make the review more entertaining.

A comparison is fine, as long as the bulk of the review focuses on the product being reviewed, rather than the comparison products.
03/19/2012
Contributor: Badass Badass
I personally don't find humor nearly as important in a review as I do the facts.
03/19/2012
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
I will add that I prefer the standard format vs the extended, I like reviews to be CONCISE and mostly serious and informational. Personality is good but rambling, babbling, silliness, too many comparisons and other off topic stuff just doesn't help someone who wants to decide about buying the product.

It may entertain other reviewers who read 400 reviews a week but we're not writing for each other, are we?

Especially for onsite. Off-site, all bets are off and I love reviews that match the personality and tone of the blog they are on.
03/19/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by Cookie Monster Mike
Well depends on the person, some people are strictly professional with a lot of things in life. But I personally do like a bit of humor.

I can see how long detailed reviews can be repetitive, in some cases in mine I have had to mention the ... more
This is why I switched to using the Standard Format whenever possible... it just felt impossible to write in the Extended Format and not repeat myself a bunch of times.

I think with me, my description style is like "here is how it is built, here is how that affects use" so design/shape/size is intrinsically the same as performance for me (for a dildo especially, and even for a vibrator because I'll talk about where the vibrator is placed and then how that makes my body feel.

I agree with CMM that some comparison can be good (especially between similar items) but really you should be *focusing* on the product you're reviewing, and the comparisons should only be cameos.
03/19/2012
Contributor: Beck Beck
Quote:
Originally posted by Antipova
This is why I switched to using the Standard Format whenever possible... it just felt impossible to write in the Extended Format and not repeat myself a bunch of times.

I think with me, my description style is like "here is how it is ... more
I actually just did this today. I usually use the extended, but recently thought that I was repeating myself multiple times. I reviewed a product that did not have an extended template and I found that I liked it. I had free range to write what I want and I compiled sections together. I find the experience section the same as performance. So, I often include my experience in the performance section. I think I might stick to the standard template. I like to be short, sweet, and too the point.
03/19/2012
Contributor: Rossie Rossie
I prefer to read serious reviews that focus on the product and with lots of personal experience, a slight touch of humor is always fun to have. I don't mind the reviewer comparing it to similar products, but on a small scale.
03/19/2012
Contributor: Sexy Housewife Sexy Housewife
Quote:
Originally posted by Cookie Monster Mike
Recently I have been seeing mostly 2 different types of reviews. The kind that is either completely serious and to the point detailing the product and actually focusing on reviewing it. Or in some cases, mostly serious and focusing on the product ... more
review the product but keep it fun!
03/19/2012
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
I will add that I prefer the standard format vs the extended, I like reviews to be CONCISE and mostly serious and informational. Personality is good but rambling, babbling, silliness, too many comparisons and other off topic stuff just doesn't ... more
I completely agree
03/19/2012
Contributor: Woman China Woman China
I prefer the standard format over the extended as a few others mentioned.

For me, I like to see a little bit of a comparison (a paragraph or two) on products if the reviewer is able too compare them to other products that are similar or used for the same purpose.

I'd personally like to see more people use comparison picture if at all possible comparing the product to other products and/or standard object that all can appreciate internationally. In this way, one can compare two similar products not just in words, but they can see it as well.

Also; I'd like to see comparison reviews offered, not just one product reviews. Because for me, comparing one item to another one similar, helps me to make a more informed decision.

I like to read people's experience on a product, but I know for me, sometimes I cannot get everything I need too in the main body of a review.
03/19/2012
Contributor: Zombirella Zombirella
I'm really interested in the sound level of things right now with my current living situation so I skim through reviews of things I'm interested in until I find ones that detail on it. If something is multispeed/function I want to know about that too.
Pictures are always nice to get a better idea of the size whether compared to another toy or by holding it in your hand.
A little humor is good but I've seen some that try to be funny and they really aren't and I can't even finish reading. Leave that to the ones that are good at it here. The gag gifts are good for that as well as video reviews.

I don't like when someone goes into TOO MUCH detail about their particular use of it that it's almost like erotica or something trashy. I have read erotica but not the trashy kind. I really hate how some people are arrogant about it too in their reviews. Just focus on the toy and it's use in a classy way, I don't need to know the dirty details. Also don't like when people use the standard format and just talk about their experience and mention hardly nothing technical about the toy...total waste of my time to read that.
03/20/2012
Contributor: sexxxkitten sexxxkitten
As long as the main points are made.
03/20/2012
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
I like reviews that are mostly serious and focus on the product with maybe a few helpful comparisons, but have enough humor to keep me focused the whole way through.

I used to be all about writing in the extended template, but I think I really hit my niche with the newer Q&A format I've taken on in the standard template. I like to think it combines the seriousness of a product review with enough silly to make things easily flow.
03/20/2012
Contributor: Silverdrop Silverdrop
I like to see silly and personal in a review. I find that those reviews are more likely to interest me in a product than the ones that go into great detail about the physical characteristics of the product. I don't really seem to be able to capture that tone myself though, or not as much as I'd like.
03/20/2012
Contributor: Loriandhubby Loriandhubby
I love all the ideas and opions, I have learned a lot just reading them. I like to wright reviews with this in mind always. I'm telling a person who is very new toys and couriouse. A person like me who is exploring and wanting to find out in the review if the item is really what they would like to try or not. IDK. it just kind of helps me stay focused and consise about the product. I love to figure out how to be descriptive with out been sleazy or trashy. ( i love how everything on EF is classey and presented tastfuly) Wording of experiance with a toy is hard for me.. but i'm learning.

i love the extened format. I know it seems like we are repeating ourselves. but even with this issue the reviews that I read where the reviewer used the Extended option really did answer more of my questions. The standard people seem to get lost sometimes and you really don't get your questions answered.

This is just my little opion. I'm very new to EF and reviews. I just got my first vibe and i'm working on the review. So really what do i know..

have a great day, lori
03/20/2012
Contributor: True Pleasures True Pleasures
A little humor is fun, but I just want the facts.
03/22/2012
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
I absolutely love comparative reviews. I'm almost always trying to decide between toys A, B & C - and when I can read a review that compares 2 or more of them I think it's great.

I don't like reviews that are too product centric. I can read - the manufacturer's description of the materials, size, color, etc. and I don't care about the packaging.

Tell me how you and your partner use the toy - what works and what doesn't. I go straight to the personal comments and experience section of a review.
03/23/2012
Contributor: WhoopieDoo WhoopieDoo
I like lots of technical details and touches of humor. I'd like to think my reviews are as such, but I don't pay that much attention to the balance of humor/ personal experience/ info when I'm writing them. I just kind of write how I would speak.

I've only done lingerie reviews, and they don't offer an extended format, so I'm too busy worrying about leaving things out to put the effort into writing humorous comments besides any that come off the top of my head. I used to worry about people not liking my review style (I say that as if I've written SO many), but I realize I can't please everyone so I don't think about that anymore (I'm sure the dinky paintbrush captions inside my pictures bother some people and make people think I'm a moron, but I don't care) .
03/23/2012
Contributor: Falsepast Falsepast
All i wanna know is, does it feel good, does it last, is it safe?
03/23/2012
Contributor: deltalima deltalima
Quote:
Originally posted by Cookie Monster Mike
Recently I have been seeing mostly 2 different types of reviews. The kind that is either completely serious and to the point detailing the product and actually focusing on reviewing it. Or in some cases, mostly serious and focusing on the product ... more
I wonder if I'm one of them. I'd like to think I answer important questions in my review and am not wasting the reader's time.
03/23/2012
Contributor: Cookie Monster Mike Cookie Monster Mike
Quote:
Originally posted by deltalima
I wonder if I'm one of them. I'd like to think I answer important questions in my review and am not wasting the reader's time.
Well an important thing to remember is your personality, not everyone is here to write reviews specifically for other people. Some people write creatively for fun, some more serious. I hope nothing in my original post has offended anyone because I really didn't mean it in any such way as that.

I think overall as long as a review can give me the majority of the answers I seek without having to read too much non-relevant information I am fine with that.
03/25/2012
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Quote:
Originally posted by Ryuson
What I prefer is for it to be serious, but for me maybe the MOST important section is the 'experience' section. Yeah there are 20 other reviews on this product talking about the material, but did it work for you? Why or why not?

Maybe ... more
I never read the experience section.

I like more serious reviews. Thoughtful.
03/26/2012
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Quote:
Originally posted by Gunsmoke
I absolutely love comparative reviews. I'm almost always trying to decide between toys A, B & C - and when I can read a review that compares 2 or more of them I think it's great.

I don't like reviews that are too product ... more
Are you familiar with the description review program? Because not all review it created the same. Description reviews are meant to be technical and impersonal.
03/26/2012
Contributor: ellejay ellejay
If I had to choose between the two, I'd go for dry product info over less info and more humor. A bit of both is always nice, though!
03/26/2012