Introduction
Ryan Hudson, co-founder of Honey and the driving force behind the new People’s Internet Experiment (PIE), has a history of creating tools that appear user-friendly but operate with profit-driven motives. PIE claims to empower users with ad blockers and cashback rewards, promising to reshape the internet for the better. However, recent allegations suggest PIE is removing ads from websites and replacing them with its own, depriving content creators of income while profiting from their work.
Even more troubling is the promise of paying users for participating in PIE. In reality, payouts to users are minuscule, while PIE and its partners pocket the bulk of the revenue. In this blog, we’ll examine the People’s Internet Experiment (PIE) scam, its impact on creators and consumers, and how you can protect yourself.
What is the People’s Internet Experiment (PIE)?
The People’s Internet Experiment, co-founded by Ryan Hudson, promotes itself as a revolution in internet advertising. PIE’s primary offerings include an ad blocker that claims to give users control over ads they see while paying them for opting into selected advertisements. However, these promises appear to mask a deeper issue:
1. Ad Replacement Scheme: PIE allegedly removes ads placed by publishers and content creators on their websites and replaces them with its own. This means PIE profits from advertising revenue while cutting out the original creators entirely.
2. Misleading Cashback Payouts: While PIE promises to pay users for viewing approved ads, the payouts are shockingly low. For instance, a $50 affiliate payout on one purchase translates to only about $0.30 for the end user, leaving the lion’s share for PIE and its affiliates.
These tactics mimic the deceptive practices of Honey, which we previously exposed in our blog, Exposing the PayPal Honey Scam and How to Prevent Affiliate Theft.
How PIE Mirrors the Honey Scam
Honey, Ryan Hudson’s earlier venture, became infamous for unethical practices such as replacing affiliate links and prioritizing merchant partners over genuine savings for users. As detailed in our previous blog, Honey’s actions harmed content creators by redirecting affiliate commissions to itself. Now, PIE appears to be following a similar playbook, albeit with a new twist:
• Removing Ads from Websites: By replacing creator-generated ads with its own, PIE not only steals revenue but undermines the trust between creators and their audiences.
• Exaggerated Claims of User Rewards: Much like Honey’s marketing, PIE promises to reward users generously but delivers only a fraction of the revenue it collects.
These practices show a clear pattern of prioritizing profits over ethics and transparency.
How the People’s Internet Experiment (PIE) Scam Hurts Content Creators
For creators who rely on ad revenue to support their work, PIE’s practices are devastating. Here’s how:
1. Loss of Ad Revenue: By replacing their ads with PIE’s, creators lose a crucial income stream while PIE profits from their content and audience.
2. Misrepresentation of Value: Creators may notice a drop in their earnings without understanding that PIE is intercepting their ad revenue.
3. Damaged Audience Relationships: If users perceive creators as failing to deliver ads or content as promised, it can erode trust.
Misleading Cashback Claims: What PIE Isn’t Telling You
PIE’s claim to “pay you to use it” is far less generous than it seems. Here’s why:
• PIE collects substantial revenue from affiliate payouts and ads. For example, if an affiliate generates a $50 payout, PIE users might see only $0.30 in rewards.
• The majority of the earnings go to PIE and its partners, while users receive a token amount—enough to make the offer sound appealing but far from fair compensation.
These misleading claims not only deceive users but also divert attention from PIE’s more harmful practices.
How to Protect Yourself from the People’s Internet Experiment (PIE) Scam
For Consumers
1. Avoid Extensions Like PIE: Steer clear of tools that interfere with ad revenue and affiliate tracking. Instead, support creators directly by engaging with their content and using their affiliate links.
2. Verify Cashback Promises: Research cashback claims and compare them with other platforms before trusting their offers.
3. Stay Informed: Follow trusted sources, such as blogs or channels, that expose deceptive practices.
4. Consider Paying for YouTube Premium: If you want an ad-free experience while still supporting your favorite creators, consider subscribing to YouTube Premium. It allows you to enjoy uninterrupted videos while ensuring creators receive their fair share of revenue. And no, this is not an affiliate link… yet 😉
For Content Creators and Publishers
1. Monitor Ad Revenue Closely: Keep an eye on your ad revenue and investigate sudden drops, which could indicate interference from PIE or similar tools.
2. Educate Your Audience: Let your viewers or readers know how tools like PIE hurt your ability to create content and how they can support you directly.
3. Diversify Revenue Streams: Consider using multiple platforms and revenue sources to minimize the impact of ad-blocking extensions.
The Bigger Picture: Why Transparency Matters
The People’s Internet Experiment (PIE) is another example of a tool marketed as user-friendly while operating in ways that undermine the very people who create value online. By removing ads, replacing affiliate links, and misleading users about payouts, PIE prioritizes its profits at the expense of creators and consumers.
As users, creators, and merchants, we must demand better transparency and fairness from the tools we rely on. Follow industry experts and whistleblowers, like those behind the PIE LinkedIn page, to stay informed and hold companies accountable.
Conclusion
Ryan Hudson’s People’s Internet Experiment is the latest in a line of ventures that promise empowerment while delivering exploitation. By exposing the People’s Internet Experiment (PIE) scam, we can help protect creators and consumers from falling victim to these deceptive practices.
To learn more about the tactics behind tools like PIE, check out our in-depth analysis of the Honey scam: Exposing the PayPal Honey Scam and How to Prevent Affiliate Theft. Together, we can build a fairer and more transparent internet.
The internet is full of “revolutionary tools” that are more interested in your wallet than your well-being.
As the old saying goes, “Too good to be true?” Yeah, that applies here too. Proceed with caution.