BuzzFeed quietly rolled out a Wirecutter competitor, curating and reviewing products across tech, beauty, home, and more. This isn't a surprise as they've been experimenting with content + commerce with their Product Labs' introduction of the Tasty One Top, Fondoodler, and even a garbage can. I'm tempted to talk about what we're planning in this space, but now's not the right time. 😉

The first immediate thing that feels is missing is any reason why those reviews should be trusted. Wirecutter does a great job of breaking down what their process was and who the reviewer was each time.

Reminds me of Worth It! (Also a BuzzFeed produced show. The show review a dish at 3 price points).

Why is this here? It's just an ad for buzzfeed's affiliate page

Is this considered to be a product?

BRB, throwing up a page with a bunch of amazon affiliate links.

Pros:

None

Cons:

Everything about it

Looks like a good attempt at an affiliate monetization model. BuzzFeed has the trust of the millennial market for these types of things.

Full disclosure: There's something about getting my information from a company stuck in the throes of trying to any click and any view any way they can that, well, just isn't my style....

That said, BuzzFeed undoubtedly features some higher-quality, long form content. More to the point, no entrepreneur could blame BuzzFeed for moving into yet another space and trying to get a piece of that sweet affiliate revenue...

But if we're judging on merit, BuzzFeed reviews ain't great. I think the 3-price point lens is reductive and sees a lot of great products fall through the cracks (I can say as much at least when it comes to the beauty/clothing products they have reviewed). And as for the reviews they do feature, they reek more of "our editors actually just read every review and relevant article available and paraphrased them into this review, and we passed out some product samples" than of true expertise. But maybe this doesn't matter. Maybe there's utility to be found therein for BuzzFeed's audience.

Interestingly, for BuzzFeed's purposes, I think the 3-price-point method creates a context that is ripe for up-selling (*this luxury option is only $14 more and just fabulousss!*). And let's be honest, what with their massive volume of traffic, this is very likely a win for BuzzFeed, whether or not any of us like it. But pls no more BuzzFeed on ProductHunt.

Pros:

Not much...you can find better reviews elsewhere

Cons:

This a sub-par, parading-as-newfangled affiliate site. As if there's a need for another. And really, 3 price points? That's the innovation?

The website lost me at recommending Beat as one of best bluetooth headphones

If you trust Buzzfeed to give you unbiased recommendations, I've got a dossier to sell you.

Buzzfeed is pure garbage. Fast food for the mind. It makes your brain fat and dumb. This is just an affiliate link site presented in the insufferable, vapid way the world has sadly come to know over the years from Buzzfeed.

Pros:

Nothing

Cons:

Everything

I'm typically against Buzzfeed anything but I'm in full support of disclosed affiliate marketing instead of ads everywhere.

great

Greate, cool tool

Buzz Feed is a fantastic way to get information that is happening all over the world in a fun way. You can take many fun quizzes, and I always learn something new or fun every day! It is also hilarious. Last but not least, it adjusts to your liking and what you like to see!

Wow that's a move

Not very reliable it seems as the highest-rated battery being showcased is still only 10k mAh, when MAXOAK sells a 55k mAh for only like $20 more on Amazon. One of the best investments I've ever made. Charges my iPhone 7 15-20 times and I've never had a problem. Just causes me to doubt the reliability of their curating.