Thanks for addressing this, Daniel.

I came across this last week when I clicked on a link for a podcast episode on Twitter that seemed interesting and my browser immediately started downloading a file.

As a podcaster trying to grow my audience, I knew that this would register as a download in their stats. It left a really bad taste in my mouth. So much so that I didn’t even bother listening to the file downloaded.

I haven’t had a chance to listen to your episode yet, but have heard the subject discussed (re: Twitter-bombing). I think it would certainly be unethical to use those stats, then, to attract sponsors, advertising, or even just to promote your podcast as having those numbers. That said, I wonder how many of the people doing it even have a clue that their new found ‘success’ isn’t real?

And, I’ve noticed that rather recently (the last month or two) a bunch of big news sites have started embedding auto-play video on all their stories. I wonder if they are trying to do something similar (just not involving Twitter)? Either way, it’s SUPER annoying, as would it be for the direct link podcast. I’ve stopped visiting sites like CNN because of it.

Regarding affiliates, I certainly disclose it… though I’ve been considering the best way (footnote? link to a page explaining my policy? etc.). And, I only use affiliates for products I actually use and like and recommend. I might consider one for a product in my industry that I know is great, even though I use a competitor, but I haven’t done that yet. I’m not sure beyond that is unethical necessarily, but I do run into a lot of sites promoting things I’m pretty sure the site owner doesn’t use and are things I’d certainly not recommend. I typically guess they are just doing it for the money.

Thanks for addressing Twitter Bombing. I feel it is an unethical practice – especially when it triggers a direct download. The problem is the attention podcasting is getting in national media and podcasting feels like the next “get rich quick” scheme. The long term problem is the “smoke and mirrors” nature of the numbers will irritate or anger potential sponsors. We need a lot more advertisers in podcasting and if they get taken in by false numbers and no ROI we all lose!

On an interesting side note – I have tried to listen to this episode since the day it was released but get the “this episode is unavailable” message on my iPhone. I am listening via the desktop. Strange?