I'm sure you've seen ads for "Zygor's Gold Guide" a million times. But have you EVER clicked on those links? Do you know anyone who has?
I ask because I am a veteran WoW player (I remember walking 15 miles to Searing Gorge, uphill both ways) who has recently become involved in a WoW site that plans on monetizing. Not aggressively, mind you, but there will be some ads.
Now, these gold guides are apparently a great way to make some money according to others in the field. When I heard this my jaw dropped. My first words said to my partner were "WHO ACTUALLY BUYS THAT CRAP?!"
According to the numbers, more people than I think.
Zygor's Gold Guide has a high "gravity" rating, which can mean that a lot of people buy it. That number can be skewed a few ways, though, so it's not fact. But it's usually an indication that a lot of people promote it and make sales.
In my years of playing WoW, through several guilds and tons of friends made, I have never even heard of someone actually buying these things. Maybe they buy them and are to ashamed to admit it?
So do you guys know anyone who has paid money for a PDF guide for WoW? I can't wrap my head around this one.