Trends in social media are constantly evolving. Diaries of daily lives are surfacing in more diverse forms than ever before. Some still prefer handwriting in the traditional way, while others share their experiences through online posts and videos. Of the diary formats available, the most prevalent and popular one in Korea today is the blog. Among the websites that offer blogging support, Naver is the most famous and widely used portal site. A recurring term that frequently appears on Naver blogs is the ‘Reviewer Activity.’ So, what exactly does this term mean? For young people tired of rising prices, this activity is popular as it presents a unique opportunity to both economize and relish new products and services simultaneously.

▲ Bloggers can apply for appropriate reviewer activities through agencies. (Photo from Revu Website)

   Reviewer activity is not much different from the advertisements hosted by platforms like YouTube or Instagram, where influencers endorse products or services for compensation. However, these reviews are posted on the blog sites of ordinary users. The items advertised through ‘reviewer activities’ are not limited, spanning from individual items to entire establishments such as restaurants or travel destinations. In addition, there are several types of reviewer activities. One common approach is receiving products and posting simple photos from companies. These only deliver simple information and are similar to inserting advertisements in a post on Instagram. It is a more passive form of support for a product or service. A more in-depth form of reviewing activity is to receive the product or service in person and craft the review. In this case the reviewer either makes a purchase or receives it from the advertiser. This type is the most visible and comprehensive form of post on blogs. Reviewer activities differ only from previous forms of product or service promotion in that they actively promote items through personal connections, but the remaining characteristics are similar to the aforementioned types. For those looking to engage in reviewer activities, there are typically two routes: receiving offers or applying for them directly through agencies. Advertisers target established bloggers who maintain a large number of followers, so people who don’t meet these criteria usually apply directly to businesses of interest. Agencies carefully assess these applicants, looking for blogs that meet their criteria, and approach them to endorse their product or service. They are easy to find, and you can occasionally spot overseas branches too. Among the blogger community, it's common to exchange recommendations and guidance on how to achieve benefits as a reviewer, particularly among newcomers.

   This activity has been growing in popularity, gaining widespread attention and garnering diverse opinions. The most popular advantage is the accessibility of reviewing activities. Everyone can participate regardless of their online fame. This low entry barrier makes it an enticing prospect for those intrigued by the activity. Some argue that this is an opportunity to explore a potential career and gain experience because virtually anyone can make a profit by posting a blog. It is possible to review a product contact-free if preferred and is not a complex process compared to other methods of gaining job experience, rendering it an ideal pursuit for those looking to engage in the activity casually. One of the most significant benefits of reviewer activities lies in the mutually beneficial relationships it fosters. Reviewers can greatly boost advertisers' businesses while keeping their expenses in check. Self-employed people think they can attract more customers through reviewer activities, and most of them have indeed incorporated it into their marketing strategies. On the other hand, there are also concerns. The foremost concern is the excess of reviews that lack credibility. Reviewers must insert a program banner at the bottom of the blog that admits it is a paid advertisement. However, there are also fraudulent posts that omit these banners and pretend that their content is not promotional in nature. Some can easily identify this deception, but not everyone does. It is such a serious matter that some legal experts suggest that it can be constituted as fraud. In addition, there are reviewers who only post for financial advantage and neglect to post content, which bothers advertisers. Moreover, posting extremely short or even fabricated reviews using AI tools such as Chat GPT tarnish the reputation of products. Therefore, some advertisers view blog reviewer activity unfavorably.

▲ Reviewers should post according to the advertiser's conditions with the words indicating that the post is an advertisement. (Photo from Reviewnote Website)​

   The Dankook Herald interviewed a student who is an active blogger. She enjoyed yoga as a hobby and found a reviewer activity offered by a specific yoga studio that suited her needs. She decided to apply because around that time she enjoyed writing a blog and thought it would be a fun experience. She applied through Google Forms, along with other aspiring participants and staff at the yoga studio assessed the submissions and personal SNS profiles to identify impressive applicants. After being selected as a participant, the studio provided her with a complimentary one-month yoga pass. She was required to post-training journals on blogs or Instagram. It was an ongoing activity, not a one-time event. As a reviewer she had to train at least 12 times a month, at least three times a week to qualify for completion. What sets this activity apart is its broader objective beyond promoting the yoga studio and its classes. It aimed to foster self-discovery, encouraging participants to embark on a journey of self-exploration. To facilitate this, the program offered various activities such as book recommendations and movie presentation events that allowed participants to delve deeper into their own identities. She said that thanks to the systemic activities she was required to do, it ended up being a meaningful time for self-discovery beyond yoga. As she considered pursing a yoga instructor’s license, this experience allowed her to connect with a diverse group of yoga teachers and receive valuable career-related guidance. In her recommendation to those intrigued by reviewer activities, she emphasized the potential for gaining not only material rewards but also valuable personal growth and self-discovery.

   Blog reviewer activities not only prevent unnecessary expenditures but also offer non-material rewards. If you enjoy an active leisure lifestyle and like to record your experiences, consider creating a blog on Naver. You can exert a positive influence on the review post, sharing opinions and experiences. Some activities mainly target foreigners, making them easily accessible through agencies. Why not get started on your blog today, so you too can take advantage of the benefits of reviewing activities?