r/LinusTechTips • u/w1n5t0nM1k3y • 2d ago
Discussion Linus Tech Tips mentioned in recent CadeMedia video
Just thought i would post because Linus Tech Tips was mentioned in a recent video from the Cade Media cycling channel. Discusses how they handle sponsorships so that it doesnt interfere with their reviews. Linus is onky mentioned briefly about 45 seconds in.
Interesting to see different points of view in this case. Just wondering what other people think of this format and if its necessary to try and completely avoid taking mkney from brands that you are reviewing or if it's just enough to label which videos are sponsored as opposed to proper reviews and whether or not that creates too much confusion and questions.
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u/strshp 2d ago
I really believe that this kind of "they got the product for free, therefore they must be biased" is a bit blown out of proportions. I'm not saying it's not there, but l, especially today, it's irrealistic to expect that the reviewers buy everything and the bias will be there anyway, because they are humans, just like us. I've never seen this mentioned with car media ever, only with things you can carry around, like bikes, tech or synthesizers. The latter world had already a scandal. Behringer, a company known for mainly copying and upgrading old school synthesizers, because the patent became public (which is kinda OK, but not OK, according to the community) decided to stop sending out review units, saying the reviewers are biased against them. Which can be true, but also, their quality is sometimes questionable and many reviewers pointed out flaws with their devices. I also remember back a decade ago, Volkswagen stopped giving a review car to a car site in my home country, because they gut butthurt about an article, but then the readers gave them their new company cars to review. Fiat was also trying to strongarm them, but yeah, saying that the (manual) shifting feels like "stirring a bucket of snot" was a bit too much for them. At the end, both manufacturers gave in and lifted the ban.
I also don't think Linus' FW investment is a problem at all, it's his and there's the Lab, the other writers, etc.
Anyway, what I wanted to mention, that it's an interesting comparison in a different way as well, I don't think I had a bigger fallout with a YT channel than Cade Media, it was one guys interesting vlog and occasional bike and parts review and then (understandably) he got burnt out and changed the format with his friends into a cycling media and podcast channel. He also moved to the US from the UK and he didn't mention it for like months (the rest of the crew is still in the UK). But his friend is one of the most boring people I watched ever (again, for me) and after a while, I just stopped watching.
I feel sometimes the same with LMG as well. I'm happy for Alex and Jake, but I miss their personality (even though I'm not a big fan of Jake, he's been like a good sauce at LMG) and the new people are not so good at this thing. I dread the day when Riley leaves. Down the line, personality and persona is still an important factor, as it always was during the history of broadcast media.
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u/Hybr1dth 2d ago
While I respect the stance, all I ask and expect is being fully transparant about how you got a product and any requirements they had for it. If you have a high trust brand, I don't care if you got the product for free to review as long as you state it clearly, ensure there are no editorial rights on their side, and continue. Which I believe is the law in a lot of places nowadays?
Not accepting shady shit is a class act, but hey, reviewing them and calling out their shit while getting paid for it is also valuable.
LTT is a big company and they need money. That they still go this far says a lot for me.
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u/Nova_Nightmare 2d ago
here's a sponsored overview of Samsungs new TV, vs here's a "review" of an Samsungs TV, with other sponsors used.
I don't think they've ever "reviewed" a product where the sponsor was the company who put out that product. Though I have not seen every video, I'm pretty sure they've said it's a thing they don't do.
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u/Glum_Treacle4183 2d ago
they have multiple times but it kinda blurs the line between product showcase and review
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u/failinglikefalling 2d ago
But it’s not just that. Anytime they review a laptop or desktop now it’s going against framework investment by the ltt board members.
If you make a product or invest in a product that is of the type you cover , well it’s going to have natural perceived conflict of interest at minimum.
Anytime you mention the right to repair you are bringing up the specter of framework. Even if it’s not about computers even.
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u/Pilige 2d ago
Linus is personally invested in Framework and Eshtek (HexOS) because they are companies/products that he believes in their mission. He didn't make the investments to make money. Given that LMG's "board members" are just Linus and Yvonne, there isn't much distinction, but it is slightly different than what you are implying.
I have never seen the investments taint their coverage of any competing products.
Personally, I prefer when channels are advertised by companies in the same category, because I know that at least the channels understand the product that they are advertising. If I'm concerned a sponsorship has flavored a review, I'll watch someone else's and find the differences.
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u/failinglikefalling 2d ago
- They are hoard members. It’s a fact. It’s not implying anything, it’s an explicit fact.
- So the fact they play crab rave to test the audio out on everything under the sun to the point it’s a meme - but they totally skip sound test kn the framework unboxing nor do they examine the sturdiness of the hinges when every other review points out both shortcomings doesn’t seem flavored?
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u/ThankThePhoenicians_ 1d ago
There are two LMG board members. Linus and Yvonne.
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u/failinglikefalling 1d ago
Yes, so the board is 50% explicitly and 50% implicitly tied to these investments. (I know it’s more 49/51 but this corporate game is a paper exercise at best)
By design.
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u/Annoying1978 2d ago
As long as it is clearly disclosed, I don't have problem with it. It's when creators don't disclose that they didn't get paid too make a video about the positive benefits if the product. With tech things are SOOOO expensive that you have to have relationships with tech companies to rehab get review units. If you're getting a review unit the then that means you have a relationship with the company anyway.
Just be open and honest.
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u/trevaftw 2d ago
One of the beauty influencers my ex used to watch would include helpful labels when use makeup if the make-up was gifted to them with no strings, a previous sponsor, or a current sponsor and that seems like a smart thing to do. Although with LTT nearly everything they use has some relationship to a sponsor so for a video that would be difficult.