Poll: Do rumor sites help or hurt Apple in the long run?

[MacRumors]

Vote: Poll: Do rumor sites help or hurt Apple in the long run? (http://www.macpolls.com/?poll_id=565)

[Peace]

Man that's a loaded black or white question.

I voted hurt because of this.

[Cloudane]

Voted for the most common scenario, which would be "help". They create publicity, buzz and a constant excitement over the brand, this would help them immensely.

The only time it crosses over to "hurt" is if they're too accurate, then it has a negative effect - people know about the releases ahead of time and have less reason to sit around speculating.

[rabatjoie]

yeah, what's the point of asking this on a popular apple rumor site?

voted "help", though.

[rdowns]

I think rumor sites may help a bit. Let's remember that the vast majority of Apple's customers will never visit a rumor site.

[Cloudane]

I think rumor sites may help a bit. Let's remember that the vast majority of Apple's customers will never visit a rumor site.

True, but don't forget that journalists do. I've frequently read things in the newspapers that are based purely on rumours and speculation, presumably from sites exactly like this one. They then sell the newspapers to the average consumer...

[coolfactor]

The key part of the question was "in the long run". I think rumour sites hurt in the short term (ruining announcements, giving competitors a head-start, delaying purchases), but they help in the long run by creating an enthusiastic community around the brand/company.

[deejemon]

Help before, hurt after.

[mrat93]

I voted help. in Jan. 2004, I got my first iPod. Later that year, I Google searched: "When will a new iPod come out?" I found MacRumors and saw a lot of interesting things about iPods that I didn't know about and/or reflected my decision on when to buy. Then I started to notice Mac rumors. Late this year I got my first Mac. And our family will never get a PC again.

I think the $10,000 we will most likely spend in the next few years would be considered 'help.'

[CalBoy]

How...timely.

I voted "help" because on balance, rumor sites create free buzz and publicity. In addition, sites like MR not only provide rumors, but free troubleshooting as well.

Now the negatives (like leaking a new product ahead of time) aspects do take away from that, but I don't think the vast majority of rumors have been accurate enough to do any real harm. Take for example the current buzz about the "ultra portable." We don't have any solid information yet, and most rumors are not very consistent. If anything, more of us are gearing up to buy the new product, even if we have no idea what it is.

[flyinmac]

I say help.

Without the rumor sites, there would be no one to drum up excitement about the brand. We'd be getting only press releases and magazine reviews to tempt us.

There would be no continual publicity and free marketing of the caliber they have now. I expect there would be a lot less excitement.

Perhaps people would still be enthused. But, it would be individually and privately and therefore not as likely to spread to others. The spreading of enthusiasm is what helps their market share.

[QuarterSwede]

I voted help for a different reason. We know that Apple watches the rumor sites (per WWDC 07) and I'll bet they use them as a focus group to see what people want.

[MacNut]

Help, free publicity. I also don't think the majority reads sites like this, just the nerd base. So for the most part Apple can surprise most average buyers.

[mikeinternet]

these sites (particularly the ones that are less 'factual') help apple know what people want.

it wouldn't have been hard to guess people wanted apple to make a phone when it was being talked about for years in advance.

[Vigilante]

Rumor sites surely attract audiences, which is always a help. I got into the iPod Touch from a rumor site, back before the keynote speech. I've been in love ever since... with the iPod Touch, not Apple. :)

[Quark108]

I voted help because of the amount of interest and publicity it stirs up.

However, what about the negative publicity it creates when a heavily rumored product or feature isn't released when its highly anticipated?

[Naimfan]

Where was the "Neither" option? Since there wasn't one, I've not voted.

[ryanw]

Microsoft gives the community PLENTY of speculation and anticipation of upcoming products which consistently keeps close scrutiny of their products at arms length. As soon as someone says "Microsoft sucks" they can combat with "Oh yah.... they're coming out with product XYZ, and it's already in Beta, infact I downloaded it last night and it's awesome.. Sure it crashed a billion times, but it's a beta, what do ya expect? Then they just get used to microsoft's products crashing, and move along...


But with Apple.. they're so quite, if it weren't for the rumors, there would be nothing to talk about inbetween macworlds. Talking about what is available and in your hand only lasts so long..

[LethalWolfe]

Rumors such as harmless speculation or educated guesses might help Apple in the long run, but I don't think it would be very much.

Rumors such as dissemination of trade secrets and/or people releasing info in violation of their NDAs will hurt Apple in the long run.

Fan and/or enthusiast sites I think definitely help out companies in the long run.


Lethal

[Dagless]

I believe they help.

On a personal level it gets me excited and all happy inside when there's an Apple event and you're sat waiting for them to announce the previously elusive product. If it wasn't for this site I would never have bought a PowerBook. I'd likely have bought one a week or 2 prior to the new machines being released and ended up hating Apple for wasting my money.

Maybe it's just me.

[big_malk]

I think in general they help, but when theres soo many rumors about a products, people are expecting it, then it doesn't materialise, it does make apple look a bit bad.

But I bet apple has people reading up on all these sort of sites to get feedback, find what people want, find out about odd bugs etc.

[Cloudane]

I also tend to think that if rumour sites didn't exist, Apple would have to come up with all these great ideas like ultraportable MacBooks on their own :D

[Yvan256]

While it usually helps Apple (free publicity, communities, etc), it does also hurt because people then expect products on par with the rumors, and when Apple finally releases their new products then people are disappointed.

When you add share traders to this mix (selling their shares because Apple's real products aren't up to rumors specifications) then it really hurts the bottom line.

I would have voted "help AND hurt" if the choice had been available.

[Macintosh001]

we'll see after the long run:D

[Dont Hurt Me]

Free advertisement is free advertisement. Without Rumors & Pods.........:D Apple would have dried up and blown away.

[fixyourthinking]

... not sites like Think Secret. The site was clearly there to harm Apple. They often posted buying advice and even went as far as to say based on these rumors we wouldn't buy an Apple product. The fact is, if you need a computer or iPhone or iPod, you need one ... period.

Also, Think Secret would post a lot about the Apple Reseller lawsuit almost as if the writer (Nick Ciarelli) was being paid off by them to spread ill will about Apple.

[pjarvi]

It helps Apple by building up anticipation for every new release. If it hurts anyone, it hurts the forums of the rumor-sites by stirring up threads with all sorts of fan-boy nonsense/hate/buyer's remorse.

[Brianstorm91]

People can get questions answered, advice, information on products, generate a buzz and hype around a product, although they can sometimes postpone sales or advise against a certain product, however I believe they are benficial in the long-run.

[NiteWaves77]

Man that's a loaded black or white question.

I voted hurt because of this.

Agreed. Fools listen to analysts. Bigger fools take rumor sites seriously.

Rumor Sites:Mac::Talk Radio:Politics, i.e Entertainment that considers itself important.

[mikes63737]

Rumor sites help build up hype for new products.

[Analog Kid]

Help. They more fan sites than they are "rumor" sites-- even if there wasn't an admin trolling the web looking for nuggets, there's be users doing the same. The hype, community and peer pressure unquestionably help Apple in the long run. Maybe it delays a purchase here or there, but I think more is purchased over the long haul by rumor mongers.
Man that's a loaded black or white question.

I voted hurt because of this.
Doesn't seem loaded to me-- it's actually a pretty black and white issue. There's a lot of nuanced opinions about why people might vote one way or the other, and I don't think anyone expects the denizens of a rumor site to all shout "hurt", but there aren't a lot of nuanced answers. I think "no effect" is unlikely to be true, but maybe that would have given you the grey you were looking for.

Most poll questions have too many answers to get much in the way of information out of it. Cut and dry is a nice change.

[Telp]

I think it really depends. One on hand most people don't read these sites. On the other hand, the poeple that do read these sites will take what they read will take it seriously. Meaning they may or may not buy at a specific time due to what the rumor is. Then again, i love rumor sites. Real or fake its all good.

[motomac]

I say harm because there are too many idiots here that flap their gums and cry and whine whenever they scratch their macbook or they recieve a new imac and the outer shipping box has a small dent in it.

Waaaaaay too many cry babies on this site. But I suppose thats just gonna happen anywhere. The harm to Apple comes when for instance someone posts "Don't buy the black Macbook" just because he/she smudged up the keyboard with oily hands. Then someone who comes to MR looking for advice on buying a new black macbook sees the post and either realizes the poster is a "special" person, or he/she actually thinks twice about getting one now! Just because of someones personal rant!

Ahhh now im ranting! Ah well.... Don't get me started on the amount of people on here that are so nervous about buying an Apple because there is an updated model coming in the future so...you better wait to buy! Oh boy you can't buy now! Wait Wait! Come on please. If you want the PERFECT mac, your gonna have to wait a very very very long time! So don't buy anything then! Good grief...

Oh well, i'm done now.

[yzp]

They neither help, nor hurt apple!

Well, actually, rumor site can provide users feedback, so id change my mind!


it helps!

[ChiltonWebb]

They really, really help. Especially if Apple releases a Tablet Mac at MWSF.

Because they should.

-Chilton

[TimTheEnchanter]

I'd have to go with help since they generate interest, but they can also hurt sales in short-term situations. Overall though, they help.

[desenso]

The ones that are based on solid insider information are detrimental because it takes the punch out of Apple's release. The ones that are based on speculation and ********* (i.e. 99% of them) don't do Apple any harm.

[netdog]

They feed and nurture the core cult. There is no doubt that these sites help Apple as they just keep stoking the fires.

It's amazing how often rumors at these sites even emerge in mainstream press as news. Sure that free PR doesn't hurt either.

[Cassie]

I too would have voted neither, but since there wasn't an option for that, I had to vote hurt. I think it would be a lot better of we were all completely surprised.

"Wow, I had no idea that was coming out!"

Instead of

"Oh, that rumor was true. Huh."

[Manatee]

I don't see how they could hurt. They help to build excitement, and solidify communities of Apple fans talking about the brand.

The established rumor sites don't post anything hostile, and the site editors comment on the probability of truth of rumors, and the past record of the sources.

On the rumor sites that I've followed for years, I can't recall a single story that tarnished my opinion of Apple. To the contrary -- they've helped to keep me "in the game", and may have gotten my excited about purchasing products that I might have otherwise ignored.

[walnuts]

I think they definitely help. You could call it nurturing the cult or free pr. Apple must check these sites out to learn of bugs, see what people want, etc. Maybe they helped us get that iPhone rebate- perhaps they are a good place for apple to realize when they've gone too far.

Most of all, I think, and as corny as it is, particularly macrumors solidifies the idea of the mac community. As dorky as it was, we (or at least I) got the "welcome to the community" e-mail when I joined here. Is there a microsoft, dell, ibm...etc community?

[sublicon]

They drive sales and stock prices, damnit! Well not really the latter, but it gets us ready anyway. I think they do help, but they steal Apple's fire, and thats why they're mad. (duh)

I don't think anyone had any clue how awesome the iPhone would truly be though, rumor sites and all, before Steve Jobs announced it.

[macFanDave]

People who are citing PR and buzz as positive effects of rumor sites aren't giving any real cases where this appeared.

I've been watching Apple very carefully for over ten years and I have found that the rumor sites rarely get it exactly right, and that people who should be ashamed to use these sites as sources (the mainstream media and Wall Street analysts) are now blatantly doing so. The situation is made worse because the rumor sites tend to echo one another adding their own embellishments to stories of dubious truth.

In the unusual case they get the thing right, the damage is only that they have burst Steve's bubble. However, in the more typical cases that the rumored product never shows up or when the rumored specs/prices don't match the announcement, Apple tends to get clobbered because of all the "buzz" that the gullible journalists and analysts have created. I still love it when Steve gets to announce something that no one ever expected!

All of that said, most rumor sites aren't really rumor sites anymore. They are highly-polished, well-monetized news sites. Long before the ThinkSecret affair, most of the so-called rumor web sites had begun printing more and more non-controversial material to keep their sites fresh and the eyeballs returning. Leaks out of Apple had been coming out in drips and drabs (not a steady flow that would be needed to sustain a site that updated at least once daily) and now they seemed to have plugged almost all of them (hopefully only in the figurative sense, I'm just sayin'. . .)

[javierbds]

Apart from some unwarranted hype (next version is going to be the cure for cancer ...), that may hurt a bit with unexperienced users ...
NOT only does it not hurt but it is a NEED, as Apple talks so little about its future and everybody has to wait for Apple to release something to start working on it.
If Apple were a bit more open about some stuff (specially for devs that are evaluating dedicating a significant amount of time to support a platform they love but that do not know if it makes sense bussineswise ...), more people would feel comfortable working on its platforms ...

Enterprise clients would also benefit from having a more open relation with Apple regarding future upgrades ...
MS has learned about this much faster than Apple (IMHO), though in the case of MS it is mostly just a sw issue, while with Apple having its own hw models it is a little more risky ...

[Stella]

Whether it hurts or helps doesn't give people the right to knowingly publish confidential company information. Hiding behind the 'I'm a reporter' claim is pretty lame too.

When you start a new job, in most cases, you are asked to sign a Confidentiality Agreement, for good reason.

However, Apple could do better in revealing its road map. For example, it wouldn't hurt Apple to reveal the release dates for Java 6.

[Spinnetti]

Keeps interest up (regardless if rumors true or not), and helps me from not being extremely pissed if I buy right before model change over!

[boyhandsome]

I vote "Help". I am a Chinese and I do think the rumors increase my attention on Apple products. Take the ultramobile Macbook for example, I visit this rumor site everyday to find any new piece of info about it as I plan to buy one at the first time it is available. So I believe rumors are helpful for Apple to further increase the fame of her products and to get the possible response in advance for her new products before launch. Anyway, I love Mac and hope Apple can give us best possible Macs.

[David G.]

Help, I know I wouldn't be getting a Mac if it wasn't for them.

[satyam90]

It really helps me in resolving my technical doubts about programming on mac.

[lupin.terzo]

I think that people belonging to the apple community (the ones posting on this forum f.i.) are almost never disappointed for a long time... They can be for a while yes, but after the latest xbook or xpod or xphone or xwhatever update to comes out we are all happy again :-)

If I were someone having some decisional power at Apple I would for sure pay someone to follow daily the various sites like this one to get an idea of what people expects from my new products... And I think that they probably do...

So in the end rumors sites help keeping communities together, give a place to collect people's wishes and can be also used to "create" new needs or to slowly divert attention from the ones not so easy to fulfill.

So yes I think that they can help in Apple in the long run.

[blairwillis]

This is hardly a statistically significant question when asked on a rumor site.

Hert... no, Hulp... errrrr I dunno.

[blackbelt]

Free publicity! Not that apple can't pay for advertisements, but free advertising is always nice.:apple:

[a104375]

i think that it would most definitely help apple because it gets people to think about how they would use the said product if they were to get it and it gives people some insight into the workings of apple knowing that they dont give away any information

[MacBook-Gal]

Any kind of publicity helps a company make sales....Yes, I definitely think that rumor sites help Apple.

[catfish743]

I subscribe to the philosophy that any publicity is good publicity (within reason). But Rumors are usually non-volatile, atleast in the computing industry. So I would say Help.

[ryleguy06]

oh they help, and at times borderline hurt

i think if we know just enough to get us interested and keep us coming back for more, and at the same time keep information internal that could hurt apple if other companies found out too soon.

[solidgoldmini]

Rumor sites help because they generate interest in Apple. And I'm sure they might even get some design ideas from mockups people come up with.

[chewbacca390]

This website has convinced me to buy another mac, because someone sold me software for it, that wouldnt work on my first mac. So, yes, these websites do help apple.:)

[TravisReynolds]

I vote help, because it helps bring more attention to apple

[sleepingworker]

Well, they have certainly helped me in knowing when to purchase! The rumor/news sites are a testament to how popular Apple is and how loyal a base they have with many of their customers IMHO.

[spacecadet610]

no question. the hype and publicity are invaluable to the company.

[TimTheEnchanter]

Speaking of rumor sites, anyone know what happened to Rumor-Watch.com? They've been down for weeks now. Miss having a one-stop "what's everybody talking about" list site.