Let me be devil's advocate again. I am internet marketer for several years, SFI is only meant to be the top of this structure. I have to say that in PTC and Traffic Exchanges/Mailers world use of fancy avatars is quite accepted and normal practice. I myself have a well-known avatar and I easily recognize others from theirs. Avatar can express anything sometimes even better than the photo.
Still taking my own example, my avatar makes it clear I am deadly serious about internet business. My photo - hmm... I have glasses and wear a formal suit sometimes. You can take it seriously, but it does not reflect anything. Actually I hate formal wear, so this photo is even deceptive. But I look like serious businessman... I hope... wow (?).
This is still not the worst case. I have seen lot of real photos, some of them are really good. One of the young women used black and white picture strongly resembling my first love. I even asked whether she really is that girl. Of course not, but I still remember her name and feel sympathy. Or there are simply photogenic faces just looking good and attracting.
Sorry to say, these are exceptions only - what is quite common is when people try to look better than they look really and you see exactly that - that this person tries desperately to look something he is not at all. Would you trust him/her? With reservations, right?
So use of real photos is at least double-edged method, I think.
Very personal opinion.
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Let me be devil's advocate again. I am internet marketer for several years, SFI is only meant to be the top of this structure. I have to say that in PTC and Traffic Exchanges/Mailers world use of fancy avatars is quite accepted and normal practice. I myself have a well-known avatar and I easily recognize others from theirs. Avatar can express anything sometimes even better than the photo.
Still taking my own example, my avatar makes it clear I am deadly serious about internet business. My photo
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