Core Insights - The article discusses the challenges faced by food bloggers in monetizing their content despite the growing popularity of food blogging as a hobby [1][4][21] - It highlights the ethical dilemmas bloggers encounter when promoting restaurants, often leading to conflicts between honesty and financial gain [3][29][33] Group 1: Monetization Challenges - Many food bloggers start with passion but end up with negative income after years of investment [2] - Bloggers often face a choice between genuine reviews and promoting subpar products for financial compensation, testing their integrity [3][12] - Initial collaborations often involve free meals or small fees, but as their follower count grows, the potential earnings increase significantly [8][17] Group 2: Ethical Dilemmas - Bloggers like Xiao Dong and Dongzi have experienced pressure to promote low-quality food due to financial incentives, leading to feelings of guilt [9][13][29] - The concept of "advertising as a silence fee" emerges, where accepting sponsorships may compromise the authenticity of their reviews [29][33] - The article illustrates how maintaining honesty can lead to a loyal following, but accepting ads can dilute their credibility and personal brand [31][32] Group 3: Success Stories - Some bloggers, like Wenzi, achieve rapid success due to their unique skills and engaging content, allowing them to set higher advertising rates [21][22] - Wenzi's approach to advertising is more selective, aiming to maintain quality and integrity in her content [28][33] - The article emphasizes that while some bloggers may prioritize financial gain, others strive to balance income with maintaining their authenticity and connection with followers [20][32]