Ok, I have nothing to lose! So here's the truth about Ciao and the Ciao DarkBB!
By marina321
@marina321 (4556)
November 19, 2008 6:21am CST
I have been seeing a few discussions about people getting banned from Ciao so I thought I should let y'all know that you really need to follow the guidelines of the site as the Ciao moderators are really out to catch you out so if you do not want to waste your time as you will be banned and not paid for the reviews you're hoping to make a few bucks on...
They're even here on myLot, beware those messages you send to people on the Ciao site asking them to 'read and rate your reviews' and even doing it here on myLot is questionable and is probably a sure fire way of getting yourself banned at some point if you act on those messages too... They call it a 'clicking cartel'
Here's a discussion that is on the Mods forum...
http://ciao.darkbb.com/member-abuse-f3/members-coming-over-from-mylot-t95.htm
As you can see, there's a myLotter or more who are also Ciao moderators..
If you look at the main board, you will see that a number of the posts are about plagiarism and other guidelines..
http://ciao.darkbb.com/member-abuse-f3/member-abuse-f3.htm
They use the sophisticated 'Google' to search for copied reviews by copying and pasting the exact review or phrases in it.. so if you copy any part of your review, don't! You will be banned.
So, now you ask... 'How did I come across this darkbb?' Well, as you can see on the board, there's a mention of my blog. When I first joined, I was scrolling through users and friends and saw some people had put their blog or site under 'status' and I did the same not knowing it was not allowed. As you can see, one of the mods who I added as a friend was not too happy with this and started that post after visiting my blog.
http://ciao.darkbb.com/member-abuse-f3/maybe-you-should-check-this-blog-t97.htm
The not so smart thing is that even if this site cannot be 'googled', it can be picked up from a traffic log to a site and my blog traffic log led me right to it
What is shocking is the way some of the mods talk about other users; I know they are doing their job but some of the comments like [i]'And now for a thread of people whose English is sub-standard
I really think that people who can't string together two lines of proper English should be reported to Ciao'[/i] are questionable and I have seen some other strange ones from this same mod on the forum; let's just say 'NOT a very happy bunny!'
So just a headsup, do not plagiarise, do not over-rate friends, under-rate or attack those that tell you off on the site by rating them 'not helpful' - these mods are also Ciao users and that winds them up as you will see on the forum.. and DO NOT ask people to 'read and rate your reviews' even in friend requests! Use the site as you should and you should be fine.
So, if I get banned from Ciao for this post, do I care? No...@$0.25 per review! no.. I am earning more from other sites already
plus I'm on £10 per hour at my real job! hehe.
Nothing to lose even here and hope that helps a couple of people out, at least they won't be so confused when they're banned without notice or warning haha
So tell me, what do you really think of this post? Should I have or shouldn't I have posted it? Been wondering the same thing for a while...
Do you think I'll be banned? Think that will be quite cowardly but hey.. and wonder if this post will remain on myLot? hmmm...
What is shocking is the way some of the mods talk about other users; I know they are doing their job but some of the comments like [i]'And now for a thread of people whose English is sub-standard
I really think that people who can't string together two lines of proper English should be reported to Ciao'[/i] are questionable and I have seen some other strange ones from this same mod on the forum; let's just say 'NOT a very happy bunny!'
So just a headsup, do not plagiarise, do not over-rate friends, under-rate or attack those that tell you off on the site by rating them 'not helpful' - these mods are also Ciao users and that winds them up as you will see on the forum.. and DO NOT ask people to 'read and rate your reviews' even in friend requests! Use the site as you should and you should be fine.
So, if I get banned from Ciao for this post, do I care? No...@$0.25 per review! no.. I am earning more from other sites already plus I'm on £10 per hour at my real job! hehe.
Nothing to lose even here and hope that helps a couple of people out, at least they won't be so confused when they're banned without notice or warning haha
So tell me, what do you really think of this post? Should I have or shouldn't I have posted it? Been wondering the same thing for a while...
Do you think I'll be banned? Think that will be quite cowardly but hey.. and wonder if this post will remain on myLot? hmmm...11 people like this
27 responses
@SeishiroX (1093)
• Philippines
19 Nov 08
Mylot is pretty much serious about plagiarism. Of course, if you're earning from every review you make it's unfair for the original owners of the copied review. As a writer myself, I understand what they are doing. I thank you for the heads-up though.
2 people like this
@marina321 (4556)
•
19 Nov 08
Welcome
I understand what they are doing too and it is definitely unfair for original writers of the reviews and especially as it affects how much money Ciao do pay out to those who write reviews on the site.
I understand what they are doing too and it is definitely unfair for original writers of the reviews and especially as it affects how much money Ciao do pay out to those who write reviews on the site.@SeishiroX (1093)
• Philippines
19 Nov 08
Originality is always of prime importance when it comes to publishing. And I meant "Ciao" instead of Mylot in my initial response lol. Cheers and happy mylotting!
2 people like this
@vidhyavini (6111)
• India
19 Nov 08
OMG!! Just few hours back I started a discussion about Ciao and the earning tips there. Lol.
I have to be ready to get banned any time huh?? Thats sad. Whats wrong in telling people to add us and to rate us. Being friends in mylot, we are asking them to add us giving the usernames. And we are just asking them to rate and we are not specific in asking to rate us "Very helpful" or "Exceptional". Am I right??
And about Circle of Trust, if they want to ban anyone, then probably they must clos the whole site. Lol. Most of them in Ciao have in their profile page "Add me to the Circle of Trust and I will do the same". Lol. The remaining just indicates that in messages. Lol.
Banning for copying is fine. Other things are just not fair. If a person is just rating his/her friends exceptional everytime then its ok to ban him/her.
Anyway I will prepare myself for getting banned. Lol. Thanks for the information anyway.
Happy mylotting. 
I have to be ready to get banned any time huh?? Thats sad. Whats wrong in telling people to add us and to rate us. Being friends in mylot, we are asking them to add us giving the usernames. And we are just asking them to rate and we are not specific in asking to rate us "Very helpful" or "Exceptional". Am I right??
And about Circle of Trust, if they want to ban anyone, then probably they must clos the whole site. Lol. Most of them in Ciao have in their profile page "Add me to the Circle of Trust and I will do the same". Lol. The remaining just indicates that in messages. Lol.
Banning for copying is fine. Other things are just not fair. If a person is just rating his/her friends exceptional everytime then its ok to ban him/her.
Anyway I will prepare myself for getting banned. Lol. Thanks for the information anyway.
Happy mylotting. 2 people like this
@marina321 (4556)
•
19 Nov 08
Did you get to see the link coz it seems like it has disappeared now...nonetheless, a few people must've got to get a sneak preview.
'Whats wrong in telling people to add us and to rate us.'
You are getting paid for ratings too so this is cheating as you are asking for ratings on your reviews... I suppose they should be voluntary ratings. Just like if you go to sites like Amazon and rate the reviews there
Good Luck
Good Luck
@suruchi86 (1873)
• India
20 Nov 08
Thank god, I'm not writing reviews at Ciao, so I don't have to fear.
@suruchi86 (1873)
• India
20 Nov 08
However, I have already signed up at Ciao but never had posted any review. Thanks for your detailed advice, now I'll be careful whenever I start posting reviews.
1 person likes this
@marina321 (4556)
•
20 Nov 08
Successlog, I do not know about registering another account
, maybe the mods may be able to advise you on that one
I do not think many know you shouldn't ask others to rate your reviews but in simple theory it is not acceptable as Ciao are paying for the ratings, it is cheating and that's why you got banned... At least you know why now, well maybe one of the reasons
Good Luck to you too
, maybe the mods may be able to advise you on that one
I do not think many know you shouldn't ask others to rate your reviews but in simple theory it is not acceptable as Ciao are paying for the ratings, it is cheating and that's why you got banned... At least you know why now, well maybe one of the reasons
Good Luck to you too
@successlog (3172)
• China
20 Nov 08
dark sit,so dark..haha.I think ciao is really so so so serious with the posting to the members.we couldn't post some private messages by its systems.I think it is not helpful to the ones who are on ciao have a good community with each other.and i think it is impossible to add some friends to help(the help means if we feel our friends' reviews are so good,we can rate it.of course, i don't mean all ones whatever it is useful or not to buyers) each other on ciao because its serious rule.it seems we couldn't rate our friends' product reviews frequently.we just have to rate the other members' reviews there.
For me, i really don't know these rule of ciao ciao before joining it.and i realy post some message to my friends on mylot to add me and help each other on ciao together.and one day, i have got the green color level on ciao.but yes, you are right.my account is banned.but it seems i am so bad luck to know it so late.
Here, i just want to know, can i register another account on ciao with another name? do they block the ciao ID from the same IP address? I am only a little confused with this point now.
Thanks for your share in any way.
good luck
@thebeaddoodler (4262)
• Lubbock, Texas
19 Nov 08
Some really good points. It's too bad some people join a site to earn money and don't read the guidelines and don't use common sense. Yes I've found a few plagarized posts on Ciao and I have reported them. No, Ciao doesn't pay all that much, but it's better than nothing and since I can't work, I'll take what I can get on Ciao, mylot, e How, and other sites, but I know I have to read the rules and follow the guidelines.
2 people like this
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
19 Nov 08
Hi marina,
As I don't go into all these sites, I don't really know much about it but if people are going to get banned from there, before they join, they should read the guidelines first.
Tamara
2 people like this
@redkathy (3374)
• United States
19 Nov 08
Well, I think people that copy and paste other people work are stealing! I don't agree with the criticism of English, however if the review doesn't make sense than what good is it? I'll bet you don't get banned. All you are saying is the site is upholding the rules so go by them.
2 people like this
@marina321 (4556)
•
19 Nov 08
Hmmmm, well the link I posted to that forum has now disappeared like I thought
so not everyone got to or will get to see it but I suppose they do not call it the 'darkbb' for nothing LOL
so not everyone got to or will get to see it but I suppose they do not call it the 'darkbb' for nothing LOL1 person likes this
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
19 Nov 08
lol =D So far, my time in CIAO has been quite pleasant and that i have not started to rate anybody yet.. lol =D So far, there are only ple whom rate mine reviews but i din rate theirs.. lol =D I dun really care about the rating earnings, because it's not as much as the review itself.. hehe ^_^
As for this post, since u have posted it, so just let it be.. ANd anybody whom's responding to this, is taking a risk as well.. But no worries, we are behind u all the way.. lol =D
1 person likes this
@tess1960 (2385)
• United States
20 Nov 08
I've been invited to join Ciao by a fellow member here and at AC and after reading this I'm not sure I want to bother with it. I am happy with the money I make at AC and I am not here asw often due to the same thing you spoke of here. People making nasty comments about other people. I'm glad you posted this to help others and I hope this does not get you banned over there.
1 person likes this
@marina321 (4556)
•
19 Nov 08
Thanks for your response I don't think anyone who responds or responded would be taking a risk but I can see what you mean, if the Ciao mods on myLot turn on them or something..that would be ridiculous
I suppose all the others always talking about Ciao this and that and asking to add friends and read and rate have scurried away somewhere...
I don't think anyone who responds or responded would be taking a risk but I can see what you mean, if the Ciao mods on myLot turn on them or something..that would be ridiculous
I suppose all the others always talking about Ciao this and that and asking to add friends and read and rate have scurried away somewhere...1 person likes this
@buzzmaker (630)
• India
19 Nov 08
Thanks!
I think this was very much needed. I am on ciao too and I have done good there.
I have lately seen people forming groups to exchange views and ratings to increase earnings and also spamming other users message boxes which is certainly not a good thing and abuse.
I think people want quick money and they think that ciao will give it, sure it will but only to those who don't abuse the system and write great reviews and make good friends as well as don't participate in any sort of 'exchange' activity.
There also are people who got banned for rating others just for the sake of it, without reading the reviews. There also are members who got banned because they didn't write original reviews and just copied from some other sites and pasted into ciao. I have seen these reviews and reported to ciao too.
People need to understand that they need to use the systems in a way they are supposed too and then only that system will work well for them.
cheers to ciao and cheers to mylot where I found out about ciao in the first place :)
Thanks again.
@marina321 (4556)
•
19 Nov 08
Think the people who get to read this post should get to know clearly what they should or should not do on the site... or even on myLot with those 'add me as a friend and read and rate my reviews' posts
or even on myLot with those 'add me as a friend and read and rate my reviews' posts @successlog (3172)
• China
21 Nov 08
hello friend, i just want to know one question about ciao.My ciao is banned as you know .so can i do another new register with ciao under other name and email account? i think i will do it better in the future writting.please help. thanks a lot.
@marina321 (4556)
•
21 Nov 08
I don't know successlog Maybe send them a query about unblocking your original account? Dunno really...
I've never been banned from any site yet
Maybe send them a query about unblocking your original account? Dunno really...
I've never been banned from any site yet
@marina321 (4556)
•
19 Nov 08
happy myLotting to you too... I suppose you're too busy to leave a longer comment as you're snooping around the links in the post!
I suppose you're too busy to leave a longer comment as you're snooping around the links in the post!
@rainmark (4302)
•
19 Nov 08
Hi marina, im glad that you made this discussions over here. It helps people who are inc iao too to be careful and it's a good warning too to avoid get banned. I feel sorry to those people who get banned, they are only wanted a few bucks. Happy posting.
1 person likes this
@marina321 (4556)
•
19 Nov 08
Oreocookie, I don't think you should delete the people you added as your friends... adding friends does not earn you any money, it's the ratings you give them or they give you in return when they ask one to 'read and rate' that are not allowed..
@marina321 (4556)
•
20 Nov 08
Hmmm, interesting. It was taken off shortly after the post.. Wonder what they needed to hide...
Could it be the inappropraite way they referred to users?
. It was taken off shortly after the post.. Wonder what they needed to hide...
Could it be the inappropraite way they referred to users?
@merstar1 (76)
• United States
21 Nov 08
Thanx for the heads up. I was just about to try CIAO, but I'll be sure I know what I'm getting myself into before I decide if I want to mess with them or not. I can understand about the concerns with plagiarism and things like that, but I was under the assumption that you had to get out there and spread your name by asking people to check you out and things of that nature. Maybe I just do not get that side of it yet. Thanx for the insight. (I spell 'thanx' like that just to be different.)
1 person likes this
@marina321 (4556)
•
21 Nov 08
I guess you could just add them and not ask them to check your reviews out... I guess some people already know anyway to return the favor when you check out and rate their reviews
Dunno really, I just write my reviews and it's up to people whether to read and rate them, I don't ask them to, if they want to, they can plus it's only a few extra pence if they do...
I guess some people already know anyway to return the favor when you check out and rate their reviews
Dunno really, I just write my reviews and it's up to people whether to read and rate them, I don't ask them to, if they want to, they can plus it's only a few extra pence if they do... @sierras236 (2739)
• United States
22 Nov 08
Thanks for stating your experiences with Ciao. As far as getting $0.25 a review, I know a site that pays as much higher for a review. Personally, twenty-five cents given is really a waste of time, especially if I no longer own the rights to my work.
@poohgal (6845)
• Singapore
20 Nov 08
I just join Ciao and I didn't know there's such rulings. I did start a thread asking for friendship requests as I've seen many doing similar things. But well, if they do not wish to pay me, so be it.
I am 100% sure my reviews are original. As for ratings, I only rate reviews that I can relate to. I don't crazily rate all the reviews of my friends as I do not have that much time.
I don't care that I get ban too. I just make sure I don't spend too much time on it. There are better ways to earn money.
@marina321 (4556)
•
21 Nov 08
I don't think there's anything wrong with the friendship requests as you do that on Ciao too by adding a friend...
It's the 'read and rate my reviews' posts and messages I was talking about...
It's the 'read and rate my reviews' posts and messages I was talking about...
@katkat (2378)
• Philippines
20 Nov 08
Thanks for the very informative post about getting banned in Ciao.com. I'm a newbie member of Ciao and has a couple of reviews. I make sure that I don't make plagiarism on my reviews. So far I can still log-in in my account and it seems there's no problem of me getting banned in the site. As I said this post is very informative and would benefit newbie like me. Personally, I don't think you will get banned by having this post.
@marina321 (4556)
•
20 Nov 08
At least you know what not to do and not to respond to those 'please read and rate me' pleas
@izathewzia (5134)
• Philippines
20 Nov 08
Thanks for the reminders. I joined Ciao recently but haven't made any reviews yet. Now I know what I should avoid doing for not getting ban from the site. I will submit reviews soon.
@marina321 (4556)
•
20 Nov 08
I haven't submitted many myself, 12 so far of items I own and music I've listened to but not had the time to cover everything yet..
I do enjoy writing and it is one thing to do for writing I guess and the incentive is good. Good Luck
I do enjoy writing and it is one thing to do for writing I guess and the incentive is good. Good Luck
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
20 Nov 08
I joined Ciao a while ago but haven't written anything yet. I will start soon. I didn't know you get paid for rating others reviews. It seems like you could earn more that way a apposed to doing a lot of research to write a review. Last time I was there they didn't want reviews on things I know about. Maybe now they have a different group of things to choose from.
@marina321 (4556)
•
21 Nov 08
Yes, I do find Ciao.com has fewer items to review compared to other review sites and I have come across the same thing you're talking about especially the websites section has few websites listed..
You do get paid for the ratings and you can see that in the 'member center' on the site.
I have only written a few reveiws myself of a few things I own as I just haven't had the time and do more, maybe I will start soon too
I have only written a few reveiws myself of a few things I own as I just haven't had the time and do more, maybe I will start soon too
@mariposaman (2959)
• Canada
19 Nov 08
I don't know if you should get banned for telling the truth and warning others if they cheat they will pay the consequences. The problem with some people is that they think it is ok to cheat and bilk places like C until the site goes under. This unfortunately penalizes the people who are trying to earn honest money by playing by the rules. That is one of the big problems with sites giving out money it seems to attract the cheaters who steal other peoples work and set up multiple accounts. I do not blame C for being zealous in stamping out cheating.
@marina321 (4556)
•
20 Nov 08
Don't blame them either in 'being zealous' as you put it... I may be too ethical in thinking that what was on that forum and the way some of the mods referred to users was 'not very nice'...
If it was all ok, then the links would still be working instead of being taken off soon after this post. If they were just talking about the guidelines, why can't people see it then?
If it was all ok, then the links would still be working instead of being taken off soon after this post. If they were just talking about the guidelines, why can't people see it then?