Saturday, January 11, 2014

Google Surveys - More Information About Them

Some of you may have been seeing Google Surveys appearing on this website, so I wanted to give you some more information about them and try to answer some questions you may have about them.

The users seeing the surveys will see something like the picture to the right that says, "Answer a survey question to continue reading this content" and the content below the survey will be blanked out.  To reveal the content below you can either answer the survey or share the post to Twitter, Facebook, or Google+.

The surveys will only be 1 or 2 questions, meaning 1 or 2 clicks of a mouse which should be very easy and only take a few seconds.  After answering the survey, you should not see another survey for at least 32 hours (Google recommends anywhere from 1-24 hours, but I put in a special request to move it to 32 hours).  If you happen to see more than 2 questions, the questions after the 2nd are optional and you can end the survey to reveal the content.  However, if you do answer the additional questions (should be 7 total), you will gain access for a week, and not see another survey for a week rather than 32 hours.

You answers are completely anonymous and is not connected to any information about you or used to develop any type of profile.  They are simply aggregated with other anonymous responses to conduct market research.

Each survey answered helps support the site by earning a little bit of revenue (a few cents).  So, think of it as a few seconds of your time to help out this website.  There are only about 200 websites that are using this, and they have to be approved by Google, so this is pretty new.  As it is new, it may feel invasive, but I feel it is less invasive than a full page pop-up or making you watch a 15 or 30 second commercial like many sites do before viewing videos.  As I said, it should only take 1 or 2 clicks of a mouse and a few seconds to answer a question or 2 to reveal the content.

On future posts on the homepage, I plan to remove page breaks, so you no longer have to click "Read More" to read the rest of the post (unless it is very long or has spoilers).  That will be one less click for many readers to help cancel out the 1 or 2 additional ones.

For those that have answered questions, I thank you for doing that, and for those with questions about the surveys, hopefully this clears some things up for you.  I do spend a lot of time rooting through content to create posts here, so those few cents per survey do add up and make it worthwhile and I appreciate it greatly.

53 comments:

  1. Thanks for the explanation, Matt. I wasn't sure what I was seeing yesterday. I can understand your wanting to generate some revenue and, as it's Google, I don't mind a simple click or two. I'd be leery if it were another company. That may be naive but it is so. Also, I'd much rather answer a marketing question than be forced to watch a video, something I generally refuse to do because I can read information many, many times faster than I can listen to some chirpy "news" person.

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  2. Really like the cookbook club, can focus on healthy books!

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  3. Agreed, the explanation is appreciated. I'm still not a huge fan, but I appreciate the why of it. If it remains relatively unobtrusive, I can deal with it.

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  4. Billy was smart enough to take care of that.

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  5. Sunny honed her "cooking skills" when she enlisted in the Army.

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  6. It is demeaning to Geoffrey to be the only chef in this collection of misfit non cooks.

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  7. As far as I know from being a foodie tv addict, the only show that Katie was on was a couple of guest spots on the defunct Paula Deen show.

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  8. Sunny learned to cook when she enlisted in the Army. There is just so many times that she can talk about her living in Germany in a tent probably. She is very annoying.

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  9. I guess her divorce settlement from Billy Joel has left her needing a job.

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  10. Jeff had a background in comedy before he took up cooking and he still isn't funny or knowedgeable about anything other than slapping crap between two pieces of bread.

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  11. Geoffrey is to much of a high-class chef and gentleman for this group of loud, annoying misfits.

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  12. I wouldn't depend on this group of misfits to come up with safe alternatives for my son.

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  13. Let it die and rest in peace.

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  14. I won't be watching. It is wrong to copy and rip off another show.

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  15. Oh, please, Katie is a hick from West Virginia with no cooking expertise. Her only claim to fame is that she had a SHORT marriage to Billy Joel. Her cooking experience on tv is that she appeared on a couple of Paula Deen's shows. I think Paula was looking to fix Katie up with her son Bobby.

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  16. There will never be anyone dumb enough to marry Sunny.,

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  17. You need to visit and eat there if you're In the area. Se my comments above describing the owner.

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  18. Karla Kassimir KaudelJanuary 12, 2014 at 1:08 PM

    Get rid of that Katie Lee her voice gives me a migraine and she's totally fake

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  19. 3 total comments on the articles on the site in the last 4 days? I enjoy this site, and appreciate your work, but I will not be participating in surveys to read it, and from the looks of it, a lot of people feel the same way. Blind clicking on links and surveys in this day and age is just something I personally do not feel comfortable doing. I'm sorry.

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  20. Kind of sad, but it seems like there is not that much activity here. I enjoy your RI updates.

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  21. The Kitchen is The Chew on a morphine drip, minus the fun, laughter, enjoyable hosts and great content. Jeff Mauro is the only redeeming component.

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  22. The work you do to maintain this site is very much appreciated. :)

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  23. I've seen them on Reality Blurred for a while. Not a big deal - only once did I end up in a rabbit hole of twenty follow up questions.

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  24. That would be the ultimate train wreck!

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  25. I don't mind the surveys, but I did have to answer them 2 days in a row, so they might not be honoring your 32 hour request.

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  26. They want personal info on purchases you might make or things you do or don't have, None of their business. Secondly with sarcasm, maybe food network is sick of viewers writing their complaints and does surveys so we won't write. Then they can say far less folks are against all the DDD shows and go merrily on their way with more reality shows. Ughh.

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  27. Oh no, I hear ya. But I just lie :)


    Also, use a proxy server. I'm pretty sure Matt thinks I live in London :)

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  28. Katie Lee hasn't improved and is the epitome of cardboard -she needs to give up on any appearance where she is required to speak.
    the group overall has no chemistry and the questionable decision of the FN reacting so slowly to produce a 'kitschy talk show' makes the network look pathetic as it tries to recoup viewers from the Paula Deen disaster.

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  29. Make that 3 days in a row...

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  30. Not sure what the issue could be as I am seeing them every 32 hours.. Perhaps your cookies are flushed from day to day? What browser are you using?

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  31. Love the intelligence of having to answer a survey to read your post about the surveys! As fun as your restaurant impossible posts are, I'm not telling anyone what bank I use to read them. Sorry to say I won't be coming back.

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  32. Or whether we have a home security system, or if we will buy computer cloud storage or what brand of credit card we use. Get real.

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  33. Just give them fake answers. That's what I do.

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  34. I am also seeing the survey every day.

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  35. I don't appreciate being asked what company my credit card is with or whether I do or don't have a home security system or if i use computer cloud storage or not. Too intrusive. Too personal. No wonder responses are dropping.

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  36. I was looking forward to the show because I watch the chew and love it! I especially love the personalities on the chew and how they entertain, make you laugh, and teach you about cooking. I had the same high hopes for the kitchen. I really do like several of the cooks and chefs on the show. But, I have to say I am very disappointed. Their personalities just don't seem to work together, they're acting as if they're trying to outdo each other, and they haven't shown us anything very interesting or new. Maybe as time goes on they will be less uncomfortable with each other. Right now, the only ones I really like are Jeff and Marcella.

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  37. What the h...!!! Are you serious!!!! This show sucks .... Katie can not let others speak, it's all about her. She treats and talks to Jeff as if he were her younger brother that she hated. Chew much better .

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  38. I love this show! It's so nice to have 5 different opinions and interpretations of yummy food! I'm a food network fanatic, this show is one of my favorites! You are all amazing chefs and I love the positivity you create in the kitchen environment! I love love making new things..... So thanks' :)

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  39. Most business people have "hard exteriors". That's how they survive. This man has character and is kind in addition to being a very good chef with that extra touch. These traits are known amongst his customers and in the community.

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  40. I love this show! It's so nice to have 5 different opinions and interpretations of yummy food! I'm a food network fanatic, this show is one of my favorites! You are all amazing chefs and I love the positivity you create in the kitchen environment! I love love making new things..... So thanks' :)

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  41. Well, I must be boring because I enjoy the show! New concepts (or groups) evolve. Be patient people.

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  42. Well we know what happened to that marriage!

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  43. so, I agree with most people here about The Kitchen with Sunny, Jeff M, and GZ. . But, I think that producers would do well to totally remove Katie & the other unmemorable one, and instead opt for 2 guest hosts weekly that could be inserted based upon theme. (Bbq? Bobby Flay.. Indian ? Artie's Party).. This would then become a dual purpose broadcast -- great showcase of all food networks talent, along with basically a 60 minute promo of current shows, and upcomers. It seems as though they have already considered this concept by alllowing Melissa D'arabian on triple G, and multiple guest judges on cutthroat kitchen, this idea would not be too far of a stretch. Hopefully, whatever route they decide, the old schoolyard rules will come into play... Katie will be removed this one as she has the last 2 they tried in her.. 3 tries, you're out !

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  44. This is an Awsome show....love it and each of you bring a wonderful world of information. GZ it is so Awsome to see you as yourself. You are such a wonderful IronChef and so enjoy watching you. Jeffery you are a riot and I watched you when you won FoodNetWork star...congrats on your success...all the women are wonderful and getting to know you better...
    KEEP UP THE GREAT SHOW........A fan in Florida. Meredith

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  45. Jeff is very loud and silly
    Katie lee is a phony

    Like Sunny very much and even Geoffrey has lighten up! Lol

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  46. Marcela is nice and like the new ideas from her Mexican recipes!
    Katie's voice, actions and attitude stink

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  47. I would vote for Aida Mollenkamp to join the show. She rocks!

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  48. Does The Kitchen film in front of a studio audience ?
    I would LOVE to get tickets

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  49. I hope with adding old items back on the menu they aren't going back to their old ways. They need to stop trying to please old customers, and bring in new. If they start going back to their old ways, with that ridiculously huge menu, they will be out of business. I agree with what someone else said... it's the old farts doing the complaining... don't buy into it!

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  50. As of now, no... The noise you hear in the background are people working on the show doing the cheering.

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  51. march 3oth show Gloria Maestas i want Marthas cookie cake

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  52. Princess StarlightApril 22, 2014 at 4:12 PM

    Alright, I can understand how everyone feels with the elderly complaining but do we have to call them old farts? I mean seriously? Have you all forgotten you made this country? Have some flipping respect. (Why do we have the elderly in US so freaking much?)

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