I know that I'm a nobody here. I also know that it may result in loss of profits. That being said, have you ever considered putting that steem power into a human curation platform? It would be so much better for the community and the value of steem as a whole. I just really see the dangers of pay to play auto upvotes. I'm not hating on you Mark, and I know that you have every right to do with your money/sp/steem as you see fit. Just a thought. It could even be where people pay a set amount to be "reviewed" and if there post is worthy then they get an upvote worthy of their work. I personally won't use Upvote bots but would consider something like that because it wouldn't really be paying for a vote but rather paying to be seen and your work can show for itself. It could be like a @buildawhale meets @curie. It might be to labor intensive to implement, but boy would it be a game changer. I just wish I had the capitol and time to start a project like that. For now you still got my vote, I'm not planning to change it, but if things start to get out of hand with people "abusing" your services I'm not sure if I could in good conscience continue to support that sort of work. Please don't be offended by this, that is not my intention at all. I was considering sending this to you in a DM, but decided that perhaps some others with the means may see this idea and do something with it. I'm just a lowly guppy out here swimming among the whales, orcas, dolphins, minnow, and red fish.
Also, You would never have to do one of these posts again. :)
I got nothing but love for you @themarkymark. Just please consider what I have said, or at least bring it up to any of the big wigs you may be in contact with.