For Those Former Members Of Ciao Who Are Now "Defecting" To Shared Reviews
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
June 20, 2009 3:41am CST
Many of us here at MyLot were reviewers for Ciao which as of July 1st is terminating its website. When I first joined Ciao I made a nice hefty earnings since reviews were paid $1.00 per review...if you did a "first time" review one got a $1.00 bonus...so I made out like a bandit there...LOL. Then the plagiarizers started to infiltrate the site...reviews then were dropped to 25¢ a review..okay still made a good earnings there. Then Ciao decided to pay for only page views...it then took me two months to earn the minimum payout of $5.00..so to put it mildly ceased to be active there.
So here's this other review type website, Shared Reviews and I joined up many, many months ago. If you go to there website they proudly show off the earnings of fellow members that have earned money...money they earned IN THE PAST--NOT NOW. I've been a member there for over a half a year, written top notch reviews. Have I earned any money? NOT A FRIGGIN CENT. They actually have an open post there welcoming former Ciao members and state what a great site they are. Okay so maybe sour grapes, but they are liars..a scam as far as I'm concerned. I've been in contact with some of the top reviewers that formerly did earn money there and even they say they haven't earned diddly squat.
So anyone who is thinking they can earn money at Shared Reviews...think again.....you won't..I haven't--might actually delete my account there. Why should I waste my valuable time at a place where I'm writing reviews and not get paid a friggin cent?
Anyone else have beefs with Shared Reviews?
8 people like this
23 responses
@stvasile (7306)
• Romania
20 Jun 09
Thanks for the heads-up! I've actually been searching for a site to replace ciao.com
Actually. I've pretty much stopped being active on myLot so I can have more time for ciao... Until I find another good paying site, myLot remains the good all faithful, steady, honest paying site. I'll be posting more on myLot for now.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
20 Jun 09
Yes MyLot is the only consistent site for participating here--as for a writing site I write more for Associated Content
1 person likes this
@K46620 (1986)
• United States
3 Jul 09
I'm over there and I'm not investing much time there until I can confirm people are getting paid. They say they are resuming a cash rewards system starting in July.
See this post:
http://forum.sharedreviews.com/forums/news-and-announcements/topics/july-s-contest-and-cash-rewards
In the mean time I am planning on writing for Associated Content, Bukisa, and Hub Pages.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
11 Jul 09
Yes as TheDragonLady points out it seems only the top rated reviewers will get paid anything...just doesn't seem worth it..like sheesh---
1 person likes this
@TheDragonlady (6)
•
4 Jul 09
Hi K46620, the only problem with that is they say they are ONLY paying the TOP THREE reviews in each category. And that could mean the three reviews with the most 'votes' from their buddies as opposed to the best reviews. I don't like their system of just 'voting' rather than rating reviews as to how helpful they are - it strikes me as wide open to abuse. -Esmeralda
2 people like this
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
4 Jul 09
Well I too have earned from Ciao. I was also scouting for some great sites that are similar to Ciao but never found one. I joined this compared by us site but have not continued since they keep on changing rules and I do not know if there was anyone receiving their pay. Well, this information is certainly helpful. At least I won't be wasting my time on this site too.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
11 Jul 09
Yeah comparedbyus is another winner...NOT---and you're right, they changed their rules so many times doesn't seem worth being there either
1 person likes this
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
11 Jul 09
I joined them a while back because I wanted to post music reviews that I had previously posted on Roughedge.com but I decided against it. I don't think I've ever been paid from them either. I need to delete my account. I'll stick with Associated Content and one other site I write for.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Jul 09
Yeah, I'm sticking with Associated Content--I'm posting many of my Ciao reviews I saved and having them on AC now....as page views..but heck better than nothing, right?
@owelm0408 (1011)
• Philippines
11 Jul 09
I joined SR when I heard my ciao friend were in there too. I know nothing will ever replace ciao with regards to the earnings. I'm staying at SR because I want to find it myself if this site is really paying site. I don't know, maybe I'll stay just for this month..Anyway, thanks for the warning.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
11 Jul 09
From what I'm gathering only the top reviewers get paid..the more votes people have on their reviews the better...but yikes that would mean an awful lot of votes
1 person likes this
@hildas (3031)
•
1 Jul 09
Thanks so much for this warning pyewacket. Yeah most have joined there from Ciao.com but I had heard this site was a scam myself, but joined just to stay in touch with friends for Ciao.
I have yet to find a good site that does pay. I guess I will be back here chatting away soon myself.
I miss Ciao.com. I miss it because all the good friends I made there really. Goodness $1 a review it paid once:o. I joined when it was $0.25 and that did not last long either. I stuck with the site though for all the Drama on there I guess.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Jul 09
I miss Ciao too...shame the plagiarizers and cheaters ruined it for everyone--I do remember you over there hildas :-)
@GardenGerty (160626)
• United States
20 Jun 09
Your points about Ciao and Shared Reviews remind me of why I am glad to be a member of MyLot, even when some things are not perfect. Firstly, MyLot does not pay a lot, but it does pay and your efforts are rewarded. Secondly, watching the posts of others about these different sites has saved me tons of wasted energy. I was going to join Ciao, then saw people commenting about the decreased earnings, same for Shared Reviews, I think I even signed up, but thanks to others posting about it learned that I was better off putting time in here and other places where I do get paid.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
20 Jun 09
Yup--once Ciao drastically reduced it's rate of pay I just plain wasn't active anymore...seemed like a waste of time to me
1 person likes this
@Eskimo (2315)
•
12 Jul 09
I've been a member of Ciao since 2001, and have posted over 50 reviews for which I've been paid. they also took over Greenfields survey site a couple of years ago (I was also a member there), so now have two seperate memberships with Ciao. Ciao is still going strong (at least for U.K. Members), I can log in today. I am also still getting e-mails from them (got 2 today) with surveys.
I stopped doing reviews there when I joined Mylot, as didn't have time to contribute to both, also the payments were decreased as well, however I still do some of the surveys.
Could you please remind readers of your discussion that Ciao.uk is still in operation. thanks.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Jul 09
But Ciao.uk is ONLY for UK members, right? I don't think they pay or accept non-UK members
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Aug 09
Yes I knoW Ciao UK accepts people all over the world---but I'm after sites that will pay for my time and effort...like how the heck would I get a UK bank account if I'm not in the UK? anyway, it's a shame that the formers cheaters are now infiltrating at Ciao UK....I also believe a lot of the cheaters from there are over here at MyLot as well...don't ask how many plagiarizers I've caught making copied responses to discussions from outside sources
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
20 Jun 09
aw man..i was hoping it was a good one.
our friend "M" just sent me a link,but if they don't pay..no way.
no pay in half a year is totally a waste of time.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Jun 09
My friends at Ciao that are going over to SR are in for a shock...a lot have "hunted" me down at SR and asked me for a friend..I emailed them to tell them what the deal there really is
2 people like this
@winewhisky (345)
•
20 Jun 09
Thanks for the heads up. I will give Shared Reviews a miss.
2 people like this
@hotsummer (13837)
• Philippines
27 Jun 09
do you mean that ciao will not be online any more on July. sad to hear this thing happen to a site that gave many chance to earn money and was honestly paying. i did make some reviews on sharedreviews. they sames legit and made 6 and was approved. anyways, i find it hard to reach payout and so i stopped posting there any more. and i am glad i didn't was more time on this site.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Jun 09
That's right after July 1st one won't be able to log into Ciao, one can't read the reviews there not even one's own...nothing
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Jun 09
The only writing site I plan to stick to is AC--though in your case since your not from the USA from what I gather non-Americans can't get upfront payments like we do here only page views. Some people do very well with just page views...others don't so tend to stay away from any writing site that just pays via page views...eHow forget...I did a discussion about my disappointment with them as well. I haven't done anything with Helium or Gather in ages either
@hotsummer (13837)
• Philippines
27 Jun 09
what about xomba and gather. was a member there too before. but was not active. do you think we can earn there or are they really paying. i know that we earn in xomba by page views. i don't know about the other one.
about AC does it still accept to pay international members like asian member.
what about helium and Ehow. hope you can share which sites to join.
1 person likes this
@dreamweaverjan (3471)
• United States
21 Jun 09
HI Pye; I joined there many months ago, never got started on there, don't even know if my account is still there??
But thank you for telling us this at least it won't be wasted time for me or many others;
What a rip-off for all your hard work then;
I'd take all your reviews and post them somewhere else;
screw that!!
thanks again dear lady!! 
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Jun 09
Thank goodness I didn't do too many reviews there...Epinions is another "winner"---NOT--haven't earned a cent there either
@corrycrystal (1775)
• Malaysia
20 Jun 09
I haven't posted a single review in Shared Reviews yet because I am still not familiar with the payout system and sceptical about it. Now that you mentioned about your experience, I am actually glad that I didn't write anything for them. Thanks for sharing it here. At least, I know what to do next. :)
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Jun 09
I'm glad I didn't waste too much time there or write too many reviews---I'll stick with Associated Content which is a lot better
@TheDragonlady (6)
•
3 Jul 09
Hi pyewacket, thanks for the heads-up. I was 'Esmeralda Dragon' on Ciao.com (you were in my CoT there) and I joined Shared Reviews a couple of weeks ago along with many others from my Ciao.com friends list. It had just begun to dawn on me that I wasn't making a penny on Shared Reviews, when I stumbled upon this thread and had my suspicions confirmed. It wouldn't even have been so bad if one could simply cross-post one's reviews from other review sites, which would have only been a minor waste of time, but they require that your content be exclusive only to their site. I wrote two new reviews and posted them there and, as mentioned, have not earned a cent, despite lots of votes, hence a major waste of time. It's a shame, as it has a nice community feel and it's a way to continue to keep in contact with ex-Ciao friends. Amusingly, a lot of the Ciao.com cheaters/plagiarisers are turning up there too - think they'll be in for a bit of a shock when they realise they're not making any money!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
11 Jul 09
It would be great to have our ciao reviews over there at SR but as you said we can't...I did save all mine before it closed down and do repost them at associated content for page views only--if you're at AC maybe you could do the same...did you save your reviews from Ciao? It was a shame what the plagiarizers did to ciao..they were responsible for it's demise
1 person likes this
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
11 Jul 09
Shared Reviews has paid me for most published reviews and being in the top ten. However, that have made changes and now you do not get as many votes and I am not sure when the actual bounty paying is going to start. You now have to earn more votes by inviting friends and publishing more reviews. The last review that I published only got me a few votes. I think that would require far more publishing for votes then within reason. I am not sure how all the changes will work out. I am presently number 10 on that site but know with such limited voting, it probaly won't last.@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Jul 09
It does seem like the top reviewers do get paid, but I've never been in the top ranks and from the way things are, little chance that I'll ever be
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
26 Jun 09
Thanks for the advice. I have done some work on Ciao and now I won't get paid since I was not at payout. I think that is unfair as I believe that they should pay all members who had any money in their account. I will continue here and on Associated Content.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Jun 09
I'm just a few cents shy of payout at Ciao...nuts!
What's your name over there at AC...PM me to tell me...I'll add you as a favorite
What's your name over there at AC...PM me to tell me...I'll add you as a favorite
@betlynfrnds (4069)
• United States
21 Jun 09
Thank you so much for the valuable information. I have a list of writing sites that I've been considering looking into. I'm always afraid of the stupid scam crap that is so common with so many sites on the web. Many members at myLot have had a lot of good experiences with Ciao for quite a while. Unfortunately there are the knuckle heads who have to ruin things for everyone. I hope Associated Content stays clean. I wish you all the best.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Jun 09
Well at least with Associated Content they review all articles written to see if they are acceptable and not plagiarized...maybe if Ciao had done that it would still be a working site
@betlynfrnds (4069)
• United States
24 Jun 09
That's where Ciao made their big mistake. Never take for granted that EVERYONE will be truthful. I'm liking AC more and more.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
26 Jun 09
I fell out with Ciao before I even started there. Funnily enough I was talking to someone just yesterday about Ciao. Ciao UK is a wash out if you're over 50 too. They never did pay me the money that they owed to me (£40 ($60)). I saw that you said to Irish that Associated Content is a dud too. I don't bother with site like that really as I want to write what I want, not what they want me to. But I was interested to read that they are consistently like Shared Reviews. Another one off the list. Thanks Pye.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Jun 09
No!!!!!!! AC is not a dud...LOL...I said that I was sticking to AC since it was the only consistent one around--to my mind AC is the only really good writing site around
@swtpareek (650)
• United States
21 Jun 09
I haven't tried my hands on Shared Reviews. And after what you have shared I will not even look at that site.. First of all thank u for watning about that scam site.. I was a member of ciao too and i earned around $12 on that site. Until, as you mentioned, cheaters and plagiariers took their toll on the site and it decided to ban Asian. WIth that went my chances of earning a decent income online.. Well I am a member of reviewstream at the moment and it's quite a good site. I am yet to get to my minimum payout mark but I have read people being paid from them so it's a nice review writing site..
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Jun 09
I quit writing for reviewstream as I heard a lot of people were having problems there as well
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
22 Jun 09
Don't get me wrong about that site I did try it and made some good money, but it is poorly run and I'm glad I don't write there anymore.
1 person likes this
@puddytat101 (657)
• United States
4 Aug 09
Funny you should mention Shared Reviews. I just signed up for it the other day but have neglected it because the site was so vague. Is it like ciao? Have you tried Review Stream?
Good luck!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Aug 09
I guess you could consider it like Ciao in that one reviews thing...but I've been there for half a year and haven't earned one cent. As for Review Stream...I did try them for awhile but then started hearing negative things about them as well...so dumped them
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Aug 09
PS--I stick with Associated Content where I KNOW I'll get paid
