I guess my concern is that it may come across that an industry analyst has picked certain hot stocks based on the stocks own merit vs. being paid to do so. That changes the public's take on it does it not? We expect advertising to be biased, but when it masquerades as something different we don't expect bias.

Kind of like a company getting their own staff to write positive reviews for their products or services on the web? Not illegal, but embarrasing for them when they are caught?

Is this a business model we want to encourge?

I just think its best to be up front about it. Doesn't invalidate everything they say or mean there is no useful information provided. No reason to leave or not post. Some of the posts have been quite good. I was just thinking disclosure?