Being an affiliate is a lot like working for commission. The more you sell other people’s products, the more money you make. The question is though, should you ever write a “bad” review of a product someone is paying you money to promote? Or do you simply become another “yesman” by ignoring problems and overselling?

With bills to pay and a rough economy, affiliates definitely feel the need to capitalize on every opportunity. Sometimes that means making a product seem better than it is. However, potential customers are starting to realize B.S. when they see it. The internet is flooded with get rich quick schemes and people trying to cash in. A good consumer knows the difference but a lot of people don’t.

It then becomes a question of ethics in business. I would argue that being honest is well worth it. A good, honest product review makes you more credible and more likely to grow your business rather than just have 1 time buyers. Providing a valuable service to consumers is what will keep making money. If you constantly pull “bait and switch” ad campaigns, your life as an online entrepreneur will most likely be short-lived.

Another positive about honest reviews is that it keeps product creators feeling the need to improve on their products – which makes for better products – which are easier to sell – and everybody wins. Innovation is inspired by overcoming or solving problems. But if affiliates JUST advertise how “great” a product is without showing pros as well as cons it wont inspire that change and growth – change which has the potential to be awesome.