Disadvantages of viral marketing

• The problem with viral marketing is that you have no control over your branding. You don't know ahead of time whom an individual is going to contact. As a result, many of your messages may end up with people outside the target audience. Moreover, in some cases, individuals may modify the message or add something to it. This leads to variability in how your brand is perceived, something you don't want.

• Viral marketing appears to be an open invitation to spammers to make some quick money by using friendship to sell their goods and services.

• Consumers are being overwhelmed by a significant number of viral marketing messages, campaigns and promotions.Consumers are becoming annoyed and frustrated at the number of e-mails addressed to them from viral marketers.

Acknowledging:

http://www.clickz.com/823941

http://sbaer.uca.edu/research/mma/2002/32.pdf