More on PicApp – Let’s Not Give Up On It Too Quick

Ok, once again I dive into the PicApp fray. I liked it. Then I didn’t. I wrote some good things about it. Then I wrote a critical post. I really want to like this tool as do many folks across the blogosphere. But the advertising gets in the way. On the one hand the folks permitting the use of the photos have to pay for the licensing (I would imagine) and would like to get some cash out of the deal. Then again we all expect and want something for nada as consumers of the net and the services that are provided. They give. We take. They want their ads on the photos and we don’t want the ads on there when we use them. PicApp realizes that they have to get their product out to us or they won’t get paid. So it’s up to them to come up with solutions that we might find ultimately satisfactory.

So, I got an email from a (or the) product manager at PicApp. I’ll post his email followed by comments:

Hi splork,

First thank you for the original post and for the mind change one as well (-:

Direct feedback from users is the best thing we can get to improve ourselves. The strip on every image is our way of monetizing our service.

Instead of adding ads on top of the images (which we used to do….) we now add a related images thumbnail gallery on the black strip (to encourage the readers to click on and open a photo gallery of related images which is a feature for the users and on the photo gallery we display ads which gives us monetization).

We hoped this would be less intrusive than putting the ad directly on the blogger image. Obviously, your feedback is that the strip is too intrusive and damages the image integrity.

We accept this feedback and will start testing less intrusive options (like a static icon on the bottom corner), the changes should be visible in the coming weeks.

It would be great if you could tell us what you think about the options we’ll display (directly or on your blog) and again, open for any ideas, suggestions or feedback you can give us.

Regards,
Roi
Picture (Device Independent Bitmap)
Roi Gold
PicApp Product Manager

When a company representative makes the effort to reach out and respond to criticism I am always impressed. This doesn’t happen much. I take the time to critique things online and offline. The offline world, especially food companies and restaurants, responds quickly and effectively. Online folks rarely respond. PicApp did and as you can see above they are looking at options. Doesn’t mean that they will be implemented because ultimately their business is to make money, but at least they are listening to end-users.

I’ll be keeping an eye on this tool for use again. I need what it offers but I don’t care for the blaring band across the photos. I made a suggestion in my return email. If you want to use this tool then I suggest you send them some feedback as well. Or make some comments on Lost Ball. They are listening.

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