reviews only available to patreon gold supporters

[W1zzard]

Good idea, let me merge those two threads

Edit: done, @mods, please don't close

 

[TheLostSwede]

And the thread got locked, so no one else could voice an opinion or give credence to it. Do something, don't do something. Why have a feedback forum if you don't want it?

Your post wasn't exactly feedback though, was it? It was more like a tantrum. Instead of understanding what's going on, you made a bunch of accusations, that are clearly untrue. Maybe you should apologise instead?

 

[bpgt64]

Your post wasn't exactly feedback though, was it? It was more like a tantrum. Instead of understanding what's going on, you made a bunch of accusations, that are clearly untrue. Maybe you should apologize instead?

I didn't accuse anyone of anything. I explained how I experienced the website, and gave a few suggestions on how to distribute content without changing the normal flow of interaction with the website.

@W1zzard Thank you for re-opening the thread, I appreciate it.

 

[ZenZimZaliben]

The review is still free at the end of the day. You whining that it isn't free the instant you want it to be, is your problem. Either learn some patience, or pony up the handful of bucks on Patreon, or go whine somewhere else.

I didn't and don't have a "probelm", I had a "solution" for the OP. You can call it whatever you want but in the end it is a paywall, especially in the sense of being able to get reviews from other sites on the same exact information. Most likely the review will not be to the same HIGH standard as TPU, and for that level of detail you either wait or pay, but for someone that wanted basic info on a product it was the solution.

 

[dirtyferret]

Any tips on a better way to present it?

I have to assume it is done to help promote Patreon at TPU, which in the end is a huge benefit! It was said to be used to update testing hardware and the like, which brings better reviews.

I have a simple solution; the people complaining about the early patreon access can go purchase the hardware and review it to their heart's content. After all from reading all the comments in the TPU review threads, this forum is full on the brink professional reviewers who claim they can do a better job.

 

[ZenZimZaliben]

Has the discussion ended? It seems like out of all this we are heading towards some recommendations on how to use Patreon.

Good idea, let me merge those two threads

Edit: done, @mods, please don't close

 

[Easy Rhino]

I never said I would close the thread.

 

[ZenZimZaliben]

Maybe make the CTA a little different.

Gold Supporter - Early Access instead of "Patreon Early Access."

I just think Patreon sounds negative or ehhh no thanks. Where as not mentioning the payment method and just calling them site supporters might be beneficial.

Then I would make it so the articles are not crawlable until publicly released. That would stop rando's from clicking on it from google, landing on tpu, and being discouraged because they have to be a gold member. If anything it would lower bounce rates on those pages.

 

[W1zzard]

Then I would make it so the articles are not crawlable until publicly released.

Already implemented before launch. Has always been like that

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

So much drama over people that pay a few bucks to see a review before its complete. Generally when I have a review in the patreon preview section I will likely end up rewritting that review and improving it 2-3x before it gets to proof reading and final edits.

But hey considering how LITTLE we actually push Patreon (how many other sites youtubers etc try to get you to opt in on every review / article / video etc) and how unobtrusive our ads are we could always just say fuck it. Hide the review previews and then no one has anything to bitch about... oh wait if we do that people will bitch because we took that away.

People need to get a grip. Patreon Preview Reviews are literally unfinished content, like an Early Access game. Its not like W1zz has to offer this feature at all if he doesn't want to. The idea was to give supporters of the site a bit of a behind the scenes look and make it easier to acquire necessary hardware. Sure we work with pretty much all manufacturers but that doesn't mean they have hardware laying around to send us when we may need it at the drop of the hat. Some products are also impossible to get in for review unless we buy them etc.

But I digress my saying holds true. I can't please everyone, today apparently isn't your day and tomorrow doesn't look good either

 

[TheLostSwede]

Maybe make the CTA a little different.

Gold Supporter - Early Access instead of "Patreon Early Access."

I just think Patreon sounds negative or ehhh no thanks. Where as not mentioning the payment method and just calling them site supporters might be beneficial.

Then I would make it so the articles are not crawlable until publicly released. That would stop rando's from clicking on it from google, landing on tpu, and being discouraged because they have to be a gold member. If anything it would lower bounce rates on those pages.

Please see:

Home — Patreon

Patreon is the best place to build community with your biggest fans, share exclusive work, and turn your passion into a lasting creative business.

www.patreon.com

 

[ZenZimZaliben]

Already implemented before launch. Has always been like that

I tested the 3600Mhz ram review and found it, but on reviewing it again it wasn't toughram. Well then I guess people just need to read more.

Maybe something as simple as putting a BOX around the entire section like you do for others so Patreon title is in same box.

So much drama over people that pay a few bucks to see a review before its complete. Generally when I have a review in the patreon preview section I will likely end up rewritting that review and improving it 2-3x before it gets to proof reading and final edits.

I have no issue with people paying directly to support the site. The issue is people landing here and clicking and then complaining. So just looking for ways to make it more obvious.

Please see:

Ok. Great promotional content from Patreon.

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

I tested the 3600Mhz ram review and found it, but on reviewing it again it wasn't toughram. Well then I guess people just need to read more.

Maybe something as simple as putting a BOX around the entire section like you do for others so Patreon title is in same box.



I have no issue with people paying directly to support the site. The issue is people landing here and clicking and then complaining. So just looking for ways to make it more obvious.

Well Google isn't crawling those reviews so the only time anyone will ever see them being available is when they go to the sites front page. Where it literally says Patreon Early Access. I mean i don't know how to make than any clearer than "Patreon Early Access: Full Review Will Release later" But I would like to think the average person coming to TPU has enough mental capacity to understand Patreon = Early Access, it will be made public soon after.

Then again since google can't see it, if we hide it, reposition it etc, then its that much harder to notice and no ones gonna bother with it either. So lose / lose regardless.

 

[W1zzard]

I tested the 3600Mhz ram review and found it, but on reviewing it again it wasn't toughram

The 3600 review is not on Google

 

[tabascosauz]

I tested the 3600Mhz ram review and found it, but on reviewing it again it wasn't toughram. Well then I guess people just need to read more.

Maybe something as simple as putting a BOX around the entire section like you do for others so Patreon title is in same box.

I have no issue with people paying directly to support the site. The issue is people landing here and clicking and then complaining. So just looking for ways to make it more obvious.

Ok. Great promotional content from Patreon.

So...now you're offering graphic design advice?

The header style is consistent across the front page. There's the title of the section, then there's the content of the section. How one can miss the large purple text is something that I can't wrap my head around. Yeah, we've all been there, some days you wake up and you're so tired that you're looking at the page but not even registering what it's saying, but I'm afraid that's not TPU's problem anymore.

Add to that the fact that the fully released reviews and news to the top and bottom of the Patreon section give individual products a full picture and box to live in, while the Patreon section is the only one that's text-only. There's already a pretty substantial difference there, don't you think? If you made the Patreon section follow the same design as the rest, wouldn't there be users aplenty bitching about misclicking thinking it was the Reviews section?

Sometimes I do click on an Early Access review thinking it's a full review, and only realize when I get to the bottom of the product photos. It's not like I'm raging at my desk and punching my screen; I just think, "oh, I'll wait a couple days I guess" and "it was nice to get a first look at the nice photos".

 

[TheLostSwede]

Ok. Great promotional content from Patreon.

Well, it seemed like you didn't know what it was so...

 

[ZenZimZaliben]

No I know it is not on Google. It was for another 3600Mhz ram kit and I corrected myself. So yes I see it's not indexable. And I said "Well done, good job!" cause that is absolutely the right way to do it. My 2nd comment was making it appear more distinct on the site putting a box around it, or a different background or text effects on the title or all of those.

So...now you're offering graphic design advice?

The header style is consistent across the front page. There's the title of the section, then there's the content of the section. How one can miss the large purple text is something that I can't wrap my head around. Yeah, we've all been there, some days you wake up and you're so tired that you're looking at the page but not even registering what it's saying, but I'm afraid that's not TPU's problem anymore.

Add to that the fact that the fully released reviews and news to the top and bottom of the Patreon section give individual products a full picture and box to live in, while the Patreon section is the only one that's text-only. There's already a pretty substantial difference there, don't you think? If you made the Patreon section follow the same design as the rest, wouldn't there be users aplenty bitching about misclicking thinking it was the Reviews section?

Sometimes I do click on an Early Access review thinking it's a full review, and only realize when I get to the bottom of the product photos. It's not like I'm raging at my desk and punching my screen; I just think, "oh, I'll wait a couple days I guess" and "it was nice to get a first look at the nice photos".

No it is not. Patreon is squished between 2 other elements with no clear distinction. Again let me say this for like the 10th time. I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PATREON OR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO SUPPPORT TPU. Graphic Design advice? No, just feedback in the feedback section. I can make suggestions without being a pro UI/UX designer, thanks!

 

[W1zzard]

I just think, "oh, I'll wait a couple days I guess" and "it was nice to get a first look at the nice photos".

That's how it's intended. Several people, including some of my staff told me "whaat, you can't show that much of a review, just show a few paragraphs, maybe the intro page". I rather show more of the review, so that people understand we're doing in-depth reviews and they maybe can get a glimpse of the product to help with their decision to come back later or look for another review, or just skip it altogether.

 

[Jetster]

This place needs support? I'm in

 

[lexluthermiester]

Perhaps I'm missing some context here, but why is this still an issue? Have we not established that articles and reviews are still visible to everyone, just in a multi-page format like they've always been?

I mean i don't know how to make than any clearer than "Patreon Early Access: Full Review Will Release later"

Exactly. Reviews hit the main page, but Patreons see them first. What's the big deal?

 

[rtwjunkie]

So all reviews are published on the free-site - just at a later date?

Actually on the planned for date, not later.

 

[Regeneration]

In the last decade, the most popular search engine and advertising network, Google, has been bulldozing small and medium websites and businesses in favor of multimillion corporations. Most likely to compensate the printed media and TV stations for their losses caused by the Internet. These are owned by rich and powerful people. In addition, everyone is using ad blockers now, and nag screens won't change it.

Running a website like TechPowerUp is time consuming and expensive. It's a full time job. Servers and bandwidth cost money. Takes time to test hardware and to write reviews. Maintain the website with current standards and develop software. It is not a job for one man... you need a crew for that. And in 2020, it is not easy to generate income, Google AdSense pays like shit, ad blockers and such.

There are websites run by multimillion corporations that charge money for news articles like the NY Times. Review early access isn't a big deal. Either support or just wait a few days.

 

[maxfly]

Theres nothing wrong with the way the previews are presented. Its nice to know whats coming up for review next. Its really simple, if your so hard up for something to read join patreon and read away. Otherwise keep track of the reviews your interested in and come back when its complete Well at least thats how i do it.
Im not really sure why this is an issue?

 

[Caring1]

Easy solution for those with FOMO (fear of missing out)
Bookmark the forum, NOT the home page, that way you get to read reviews as soon as they appear.

 

[Frick]

Easy solution for those with FOMO (fear of missing out)
Bookmark the forum, NOT the home page, that way you get to read reviews as soon as they appear.

or watch the rss feed.