Today marks the fifth anniversary of CompareRewards.com. While I had posted reviews and news about rewards programs prior to that time on a personal website, it was five years ago that I registered the URL to focus exclusively on the subject.
The site looks a lot different now than it did back then. The oldest archived backup of the site on WaybackMachine.org is here, and it’s from May of 2002, when the site was 6 months old. As you can see, it’s a very stripped-down version of the information available onsite now.
In addition, the whole rewards program landscape is very different now than it was 5 years ago. No longer with us are some of the then-popular programs I had reviews online for back then, including Fatshoe, Blink, Trocamania, and PrimaRewards. Others that came and went include Prizebuddies, Disneyawards, Treasuresurfing, AllThingsRewarded, ReadersWritersRewards, UrbanFreebies, MobiusMoney… oh, let me just stop. The list goes on and on.
The trend over time has been that free, non-spending points, have diminished greatly. Unless the click is sponsored in some way, sites can’t afford to just give away money anymore. There’s a much more competitive atmosphere about rebate rates — consumers are more informed about their rewards program options, and they’re aware of the tradeoffs (free points have to be paid for somehow, and that generally means lower rebate rates for shopping).
The industry has been fascinating to follow, and I appreciate your site visits, and your insightful and informative comments and emails.
Here’s to five more years!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
5 years is a long time on the internet. Keep up the good work Becky!!! Many have used your advice well, and we all THANK YOU, thank you
A lot of websites privite or public have gone to Death.com. I remember late hours working on webpages only to discover that the company was going out of business.
HUGE Congratulations Becky! I am so proud that you have continued to do what you do best. You have been a wonderful assest to those of us who have been hobbiest at the clicking game as well as those of us who supplement our income with clicking. You have put lots of dollars in lots of pockets through the years with your efforts to get us the information.
I don’t know when I discovered your site, but I am so glad I did. We have become buds, pals, friends and partners out of my discovery. I will forever be grateful that you handed the Trivia Newsletter over to me to keep your legacy alive. I LOVE IT. I am most appreciative of your trust.
May your next 5 years take CompareRewards to levels you haven’t yet imagined. Best of luck in all of your endeavors.
Your PIC!
Ginger
I just recently found your site and love it. I can’t wait to see how this online rebate world evolves.