The “Webby Awards” Scam
To scam: (definition) Deprive of something by deceit.
The Webby Awards: pretty much the Academy Awards for websites (or so they want you to believe).
The Academy Awards: an awards show that judges all films shown in major US theatres.
The Problem Here (1): I received a flier in the mail from the Webby Awards, saying something about being “the Oscars of the Net” (hmm, sounds big… almost like it GOT big because it was fair, etc), and that if I wanted my site to be judged, I would have to pay several hundred dollars to enter.
The Problem Here (2): As hinted, I found out that The Webby Awards don’t judge ALL websites, or even MOST websites; just the ones that deposit this nice pile of cash. (this isn’t just like $25, or something) Then, those same entrants have to pay ANOTHER hefty fee just to attend the awards show… even the ones that are nominated for awards. (You can imagine there are lots of awards given to people who simply aren’t at the show.)
But wait, wait… So, let’s say you run a small site that generates no money at all (like the vast majority of entrants), and you’re nominated for a Webby Award. Do they send you a nice package, with a box of chocolates in it, saying, “Hey there! You’ve been nominated! We want you to attend the awards show, naturally, and thus will pay for your seat, etc!” Not even. And it gets worse…
The Webbys have many characteristics of things geared FOR profit, and pointedly AGAINST making people happy. Let’s dig into it:
- You can enter to be judged for multiple categories… but you have to pay the full entry fee for EACH one. (It’s not like a REAL awards show, where your work is considered simply because it exists, and the JUDGES decide what qualities it should be judged for)
[here’s a link to their FAQ, explaining this and everything below]
- There are over 100 entry categories. (consequently, with that many winners, acceptance speeches are limited to, seriously, 5 words.) You may ask: why so many categories? Well, realize that a huge chunk of dough comes from “little-guy sites”, so, if the little guys think there’s a pretty good chance of winning something (since there are a LOT of categories, and thus lots of chances to win), there are that many more hopeful entrants, all fitting into some little niche. Example: don’t you think you’d have a much better chance of winning some huge raffle if there were 100 winning drawings, and not just 1? If the Webby’s only had 3 categories, for instance, a lot of people wouldn’t even try.
So, moving on:
- You can withdraw an entry, but, of course, you won’t get a refund.
According to the FAQ:
CAN I WITHDRAW MY ENTRY? WILL I GET A REFUND?
You may withdraw your entry by emailing [this address]. However, you will not receive a refund (surprise, surprise) as entries are reviewed at any point following submission. [opens can of Fluff-Off]
- Winners win a statuette, and can buy additional ones. (no complaint there, as some might WANT additional ones – I just wonder their price vs. how much it costs to make them.)
- Nominees, however, (all 500 of them) don’t even get a 1-cent printed certificate on fancy office paper… but hey, they can purchase any quantity of framed ones!
[link to nominees list]
-Honorees (there are something like 1,000) are also heartily reminded that they can buy framed certificates.
[link to honorees list]
—
So, doesn’t this barrel have any GOOD apples?
Well, the winners might get some recognition, although the public attention is divided between 100 websites. Still, let’s assume they do get extra traffic, as a plus. Many of these sites are ones that probably would otherwise have never be found (and those small-time site owners are going to need some extra traffic to pay off those entry fees… not to mention attendance fees). Indeed, the public eye’s searchlight is very narrow, and leaves most of life’s best things lost in unsearched cracks and crevices that all too many people just never hear about… so, it does help to have institutions that distract us from our constant gaze into the mainstream, at that which is popular, helping us discover that which is actually good.
Still, as I implied, I don’t think that many people comb through the Webby’s list of winners, or especially nominees… also, you’ve got this huge factor: The combined misery from the thousands of website owners who walk away only with lost money probably outweighs the good. If the Webbys were far, far bigger, with lots more people getting hold of better sites through them, it might tip the scales back the other way…
For now, however, I think the Webbys’ days are numbered, because people are finally starting to get hold of this info. (just like the similar Pulitzer Prize, unfortunately (for books, newspapers, etc), which, contrary to popular belief, is another pay-to-enter prize that only considers those who have paid to enter ($50). Oh, and you can enter up to two categories… $50 each).
Lately, I’ve been wanting to win a Webby (certainly not that I’ve ever entered), just so I can go say as my 5-word acceptance speech, “These awards are nothing but”
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