If you read Something*Positive, one of the more cynical webcomics around, you might have noticed that today’s has a little commentary at the bottom.
I like it and agree completely. We’ve got the same problem: misogynists, bible colleges, and various religious organizations have gone to the bottom of the trough and use the cheapest advertising medium they can, and that’s google ads. So I’m sorry if crap dribbles through.
Of course, I should also mention that we do have a new feature that lets you support FtB while turning off the ads.
“I should also mention that we do have a new feature that lets you support FtB while turning off the ads.”
If you are willing to allow the biggest hacking target on the planet store your financial information indefinitely. Did I mention that I’m eagerly awaiting a non-PayPal option?
My understanding was that Google ads costs the advertiser every time the ad is shown. Is this incorrect? I’m happy to have a religious ad sit their ignored, particularly if it’s costing the advertiser money.
Happy to be corrected on the way it works though.
@andersk3
Yeah. The pop-ups are briefly and slightly annoying, but when I have money for the network, I will specifically ask not to take down the ads unless doing so:
1) has no impact on FtB revenue
and
2) has no impact on the costs of odious (to me) advertisers.
I actually feel slightly better hearing these things are everywhere…
No no, it’s a bad thing that they’re everywhere. My point is: I was seeing them everywhere, and I was starting to think they were following me around.
I was starting to get insulted. It was like: seriously, you charmers figure I’d actually be into this? What the hell do you take me for? What on earth was I reading that you figured this would be my thing? Because, listen, this really doesn’t look like my thing….
… mind, now you mention it, it’s the same sort of places you see all those ‘Was Jesus really the Son of God?’ stuff. And it may just be some sorta sensory extinction thing, but I’m actually mostly past being insulted by those. Those it’s more like, yes, we know there are parasitic shits like this in the world. They’re like spam and tapeworms–in every environment they can survive in, yes… You get used to trying to ignore them.
I say trying. But that’s the thing: I always wonder how entirely successfully you ever do that. I wonder what it does to the brain that this is always in your peripheral vision. Welcome to the world. Proselytisation and sexism; that’s what we got here. And you do get used to it. Getting used to it probably isn’t the best thing.
Umm…like you know…I’m getting (as recommended, right here) an sponsored advertise of a web in wich a quack speaks about cancer diagnosis
http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/MKTNews/Brownstein-cancer-video-documentary/2013/02/11/id/489887?promo_code=14D15-1
Ad: “Mormons believe in Jesus Christ”
Jee whiz, that changes everything for me.
I’m currently getting two adverts for cheap iPad scams and one for cancer quackery.
So you admit that you aren’t sponsoring FtB!
The popups still make the site very difficult for me to browse from a mobile device.
@1, Gregory:
After some correspondence with Ed and Jason, I used the “Donate” button near the bottom of the page. They’ve promised to get me ad-free, for which I’m waiting with bated breath. The “Donate” button still goes through PayPal but you don’t have to sign up.
I’ve decided that trying to block the Male Gamers ads is a lost cause. At least they aren’t outright scams as most of the new “sponsored links” appear to be.
Actually, there is nowhere I would rather the Mor(m)ons advertise than right her on ol’ Freethoughtblogs. I cannot think of a more barren ground on which for them to cast their seed.
I’m getting one for Human Rights Watch regarding landmines, the CMA awards on ABC, SoftPaws for cats and a jewelry store. I am more than happy to admit that the bible thumping ads make me laugh and I’d miss them if I bought an ad free FtB subscription.
Advertisers pay per click on Google ads, not per view. So if you don’t click through, there is not charge.
Just got my ad-free FTB turned on. It’s great!
I’ve been one of those jerks stealing FtB content by using ABP (granted, I have it for other sites really). i think it’s time for me to go for the ad-free version, and give FtB the support it deserves
Sometimes I’ll click on an ad just to make the advertiser pay for FtB. I don’t think that’s unethical. The advertisers are willing to pay Google (and thus FtB) whenever someone clicks their ad. There’s no clause in the contract that negates the payment if the clicker is a more-or-less marketing-proof freethinker who won’t pay attention to the site the ad leads to.
I cannot financially support FTB (yet) so I click on all the psychic ads. Even I can beat them with logic, maybe I can help empty their wallets.
Well I’ve always said I use adblock unless another option is available to get rid of ads.
Money put where mouth is. 365 sweet, sweet ad free days.
I let the ads show until they start to bother me — all those poor girls and guys who can’t afford enough clothes! — and then block them again.
I was wondering why I kept seeing that Mormon ad every time I came over here. Personally, I find it hilarious.
Yes, and also they charge higher fees than just about…anyone else. But, they’re easy to set up and have brand-name recognition, which is why many folks use them.
If you’re ever in the market to accept online payments, do a little research first. There are many other providers out there that charge much less per transaction and who don’t suck as hard (i.e., screwing the merchant when it comes to chargebacks, dispute resolution, and closing accounts for no reason).
Yes, it is called an “ad impression”. They’re usually billed in thousands (the term is CPM: cost per mille). So for 1,000 deliveries of the ad, the advertiser might pay $0.50. The rate depends upon how popular the site is and how many advertisers are bidding for impressions.
No—here’s the kicker—advertisers pay WAY more when someone clicks on the ad. Take that for what you will.
I occasionally click bible-thumper adds on FtB. I like the idea of these people paying for this blog :-).
…My point is: I was seeing them everywhere, and I was starting to think they were following me around.
Some ads ARE following me around: I’ve seen ads here for sites I’ve recently bought from, or at least recently looked at. (Sorry, Ideeli, I didn’t find a gift for my fiancee at your site. And I already found and used the airport parking lot I was looking for.) So that’s why I’m not all that upset about the NSA spying on my Internet activity — “private” businesses have been doing the same thing for a longer time.
I’ve got a website that purports to have “proof” that God exists for the longest time here (except when I randomly got shit like shampoo ads).