Sites shouldn’t be forced into taking advertising

I agree with Chuq Von Rospach. Sites shouldn’t be forced to take advertising, even to give that money to a charity.

I don’t take advertising here, well, except if you count my Amazon link and my occassional mentioning of Seagate, which sponsors my video show.

Anyway, there’s a cost to advertising in clutter, in extra bits that the infrastructure needs to push out, and in reduced quality of experiences for users.

And, it’s a smart piece of business on the part of Craig’s List to try to be different. You get audiences that way. There’s other ways to make money from audiences than just putting a few ads on your site.

I’m very loyal to Craig’s List, cause he got me my job at NEC, which led to getting a job at Microsoft.

89 thoughts on “Sites shouldn’t be forced into taking advertising

  1. I’ve been thinking about this myself – since I almost have enough traffic on my blog that it would be worth my time setting up advertising. But where would I put it? Something else would have to go, and I’m not willing to lose a few readers for a few dollars.

    I wonder if a seperate WordPress Page on my blog called “Advertising” would ever get any hits? Probably not. Advertising isn’t something people opt into often.

    So what’s the message here? Run spaces where you generate original content, but don’t advertise?

    Where’s all the profit come from to feed this infrastructure then?

    Rob

    Like

  2. I’ve been thinking about this myself – since I almost have enough traffic on my blog that it would be worth my time setting up advertising. But where would I put it? Something else would have to go, and I’m not willing to lose a few readers for a few dollars.

    I wonder if a seperate WordPress Page on my blog called “Advertising” would ever get any hits? Probably not. Advertising isn’t something people opt into often.

    So what’s the message here? Run spaces where you generate original content, but don’t advertise?

    Where’s all the profit come from to feed this infrastructure then?

    Rob

    Like

  3. I’ve been thinking about this myself – since I almost have enough traffic on my blog that it would be worth my time setting up advertising. But where would I put it? Something else would have to go, and I’m not willing to lose a few readers for a few dollars.

    I wonder if a seperate WordPress Page on my blog called “Advertising” would ever get any hits? Probably not. Advertising isn’t something people opt into often.

    So what’s the message here? Run spaces where you generate original content, but don’t advertise?

    Where’s all the profit come from to feed this infrastructure then?

    Rob

    Like

  4. I’ve been thinking about this myself – since I almost have enough traffic on my blog that it would be worth my time setting up advertising. But where would I put it? Something else would have to go, and I’m not willing to lose a few readers for a few dollars.

    I wonder if a seperate WordPress Page on my blog called “Advertising” would ever get any hits? Probably not. Advertising isn’t something people opt into often.

    So what’s the message here? Run spaces where you generate original content, but don’t advertise?

    Where’s all the profit come from to feed this infrastructure then?

    Rob

    Like

  5. I’m not saying don’t advertise. I’m saying that it’s a choice that everyone should make on their own and not be forced into it.

    I’m looking for advertising that adds value to my readers. Google’s advertising on search, for instance, can be argued to add value to search.

    I’m not sure it comes up to that value on blogs.

    Like

  6. I’m not saying don’t advertise. I’m saying that it’s a choice that everyone should make on their own and not be forced into it.

    I’m looking for advertising that adds value to my readers. Google’s advertising on search, for instance, can be argued to add value to search.

    I’m not sure it comes up to that value on blogs.

    Like

  7. I’m not saying don’t advertise. I’m saying that it’s a choice that everyone should make on their own and not be forced into it.

    I’m looking for advertising that adds value to my readers. Google’s advertising on search, for instance, can be argued to add value to search.

    I’m not sure it comes up to that value on blogs.

    Like

  8. I like the idea that if you’re advertising somebody or a certain company, it’s because you enjoy the product they present. I have no problems with Robert mentioning Seagate, because I have a Seagate external drive and it’s the best one I’ve ever used. Hence, I’d welcome advertising from them in a split second. If someone were to pay me to advertise a product I know is shoddy, well, I wouldn’t feel good about that at all.

    Like

  9. I like the idea that if you’re advertising somebody or a certain company, it’s because you enjoy the product they present. I have no problems with Robert mentioning Seagate, because I have a Seagate external drive and it’s the best one I’ve ever used. Hence, I’d welcome advertising from them in a split second. If someone were to pay me to advertise a product I know is shoddy, well, I wouldn’t feel good about that at all.

    Like

  10. I like the idea that if you’re advertising somebody or a certain company, it’s because you enjoy the product they present. I have no problems with Robert mentioning Seagate, because I have a Seagate external drive and it’s the best one I’ve ever used. Hence, I’d welcome advertising from them in a split second. If someone were to pay me to advertise a product I know is shoddy, well, I wouldn’t feel good about that at all.

    Like

  11. Speaking of the extra bits required to load a page, the home page at the Escape from Cubicle Nation blog takes forever to load for me, waiting for the affiliate links, properityplace, typepad, shoppingcartmeter, sitemeter, etc. I want to bail every time I see the status bar “looking up”, “waiting for”, “read ..”, “transferring …”

    It’s painful. More ads just slow things down. I don’t use adblock for FF since I like seeing the ads on most sites I visit, but sites like this make me want to install it.

    Like

  12. Speaking of the extra bits required to load a page, the home page at the Escape from Cubicle Nation blog takes forever to load for me, waiting for the affiliate links, properityplace, typepad, shoppingcartmeter, sitemeter, etc. I want to bail every time I see the status bar “looking up”, “waiting for”, “read ..”, “transferring …”

    It’s painful. More ads just slow things down. I don’t use adblock for FF since I like seeing the ads on most sites I visit, but sites like this make me want to install it.

    Like

  13. Speaking of the extra bits required to load a page, the home page at the Escape from Cubicle Nation blog takes forever to load for me, waiting for the affiliate links, properityplace, typepad, shoppingcartmeter, sitemeter, etc. I want to bail every time I see the status bar “looking up”, “waiting for”, “read ..”, “transferring …”

    It’s painful. More ads just slow things down. I don’t use adblock for FF since I like seeing the ads on most sites I visit, but sites like this make me want to install it.

    Like

  14. Speaking of the extra bits required to load a page, the home page at the Escape from Cubicle Nation blog takes forever to load for me, waiting for the affiliate links, properityplace, typepad, shoppingcartmeter, sitemeter, etc. I want to bail every time I see the status bar “looking up”, “waiting for”, “read ..”, “transferring …”

    It’s painful. More ads just slow things down. I don’t use adblock for FF since I like seeing the ads on most sites I visit, but sites like this make me want to install it.

    Like

  15. Craigslist is a breath of fresh air. I used to use Yahoo years ago. But now I go to Yahoo.com and look at what a mess it is. I can’t tell what’s part of Yahoo and what an ad is unless I start reading carefully through all the clutter which I refuse to do so I just hit back button and leave.

    Like

  16. Craigslist is a breath of fresh air. I used to use Yahoo years ago. But now I go to Yahoo.com and look at what a mess it is. I can’t tell what’s part of Yahoo and what an ad is unless I start reading carefully through all the clutter which I refuse to do so I just hit back button and leave.

    Like

  17. Craigslist is a breath of fresh air. I used to use Yahoo years ago. But now I go to Yahoo.com and look at what a mess it is. I can’t tell what’s part of Yahoo and what an ad is unless I start reading carefully through all the clutter which I refuse to do so I just hit back button and leave.

    Like

  18. Craigslist is a breath of fresh air. I used to use Yahoo years ago. But now I go to Yahoo.com and look at what a mess it is. I can’t tell what’s part of Yahoo and what an ad is unless I start reading carefully through all the clutter which I refuse to do so I just hit back button and leave.

    Like

  19. Craigslist is a breath of fresh air. I used to use Yahoo years ago. But now I go to Yahoo.com and look at what a mess it is. I can’t tell what’s part of Yahoo and what an ad is unless I start reading carefully through all the clutter which I refuse to do so I just hit back button and leave.

    Like

  20. Craigslist is a breath of fresh air. I used to use Yahoo years ago. But now I go to Yahoo.com and look at what a mess it is. I can’t tell what’s part of Yahoo and what an ad is unless I start reading carefully through all the clutter which I refuse to do so I just hit back button and leave.

    Like

  21. I totaly agree.Ads would ruin the quality relationship users have with Craiglist. Plus, Craig List is donating quietly in the field of citizen journalism and education, so I don’t understand the spite their comment (about not wanting to maximise their profits) raised.

    Like

  22. I totaly agree.Ads would ruin the quality relationship users have with Craiglist. Plus, Craig List is donating quietly in the field of citizen journalism and education, so I don’t understand the spite their comment (about not wanting to maximise their profits) raised.

    Like

  23. I totaly agree.Ads would ruin the quality relationship users have with Craiglist. Plus, Craig List is donating quietly in the field of citizen journalism and education, so I don’t understand the spite their comment (about not wanting to maximise their profits) raised.

    Like

  24. I totaly agree.Ads would ruin the quality relationship users have with Craiglist. Plus, Craig List is donating quietly in the field of citizen journalism and education, so I don’t understand the spite their comment (about not wanting to maximise their profits) raised.

    Like

  25. I totaly agree.Ads would ruin the quality relationship users have with Craiglist. Plus, Craig List is donating quietly in the field of citizen journalism and education, so I don’t understand the spite their comment (about not wanting to maximise their profits) raised.

    Like

  26. I totaly agree.Ads would ruin the quality relationship users have with Craiglist. Plus, Craig List is donating quietly in the field of citizen journalism and education, so I don’t understand the spite their comment (about not wanting to maximise their profits) raised.

    Like

  27. Well, yes I think the sites should be kept without advertisements, sometimes its difficult to differentiate which part is advertisement and which part is content.

    Probably I can edit and post a popular quote here: “web content is like sex, its best when kept free”.

    Though, off course this has the potential to kill the online advertising cash cow for search engine marketing consultants like me!! 😀

    Like

  28. Well, yes I think the sites should be kept without advertisements, sometimes its difficult to differentiate which part is advertisement and which part is content.

    Probably I can edit and post a popular quote here: “web content is like sex, its best when kept free”.

    Though, off course this has the potential to kill the online advertising cash cow for search engine marketing consultants like me!! 😀

    Like

  29. Well, yes I think the sites should be kept without advertisements, sometimes its difficult to differentiate which part is advertisement and which part is content.

    Probably I can edit and post a popular quote here: “web content is like sex, its best when kept free”.

    Though, off course this has the potential to kill the online advertising cash cow for search engine marketing consultants like me!! 😀

    Like

  30. I know quite a few people who would argue with you: they earn an average wage by maintaining several niche ad-sensed blogs. It’s hard work, but it’s a great one if you enjoy blogging. Web content should be free, but web-content providers should get some money out of it…

    Like

  31. I know quite a few people who would argue with you: they earn an average wage by maintaining several niche ad-sensed blogs. It’s hard work, but it’s a great one if you enjoy blogging. Web content should be free, but web-content providers should get some money out of it…

    Like

  32. I know quite a few people who would argue with you: they earn an average wage by maintaining several niche ad-sensed blogs. It’s hard work, but it’s a great one if you enjoy blogging. Web content should be free, but web-content providers should get some money out of it…

    Like

  33. I know quite a few people who would argue with you: they earn an average wage by maintaining several niche ad-sensed blogs. It’s hard work, but it’s a great one if you enjoy blogging. Web content should be free, but web-content providers should get some money out of it…

    Like

  34. I am looking at this very issue. We run our site over at http://htmlfixit.com and have costs. We try to provide help to people and don’t suggest we charge them anything. We ask for donations … sometimes we get a few and sometimes we don’t. But we get costs just the same every month. Enter advertising … do we or don’t we? We aren’t forced to certainly. At what point do we erode our own crediblity by taking advertisements? I have one proposal to pay $x for one year to insert a linked sentence into a particular article. I have another business willing to provide me with a copy of their software (which I might add sounds like a very intriguing program to convert any file format to PDF for $49 in investment — I currently favor oOO for that …). I know you tend to give stuff away after you evaluate it. I would not be willing to say nice things about a shoddy product, but should I say things about products at all? Right now in our right menu we talk about the things we use and like. Most of the software is free or very inexpensive.

    Nobody is forced into taking advertisements, but should I take advertisements in an effort to continue to bring my content to the people without paying personally to do so?

    I’m debating.

    Like

  35. I am looking at this very issue. We run our site over at http://htmlfixit.com and have costs. We try to provide help to people and don’t suggest we charge them anything. We ask for donations … sometimes we get a few and sometimes we don’t. But we get costs just the same every month. Enter advertising … do we or don’t we? We aren’t forced to certainly. At what point do we erode our own crediblity by taking advertisements? I have one proposal to pay $x for one year to insert a linked sentence into a particular article. I have another business willing to provide me with a copy of their software (which I might add sounds like a very intriguing program to convert any file format to PDF for $49 in investment — I currently favor oOO for that …). I know you tend to give stuff away after you evaluate it. I would not be willing to say nice things about a shoddy product, but should I say things about products at all? Right now in our right menu we talk about the things we use and like. Most of the software is free or very inexpensive.

    Nobody is forced into taking advertisements, but should I take advertisements in an effort to continue to bring my content to the people without paying personally to do so?

    I’m debating.

    Like

  36. I am looking at this very issue. We run our site over at http://htmlfixit.com and have costs. We try to provide help to people and don’t suggest we charge them anything. We ask for donations … sometimes we get a few and sometimes we don’t. But we get costs just the same every month. Enter advertising … do we or don’t we? We aren’t forced to certainly. At what point do we erode our own crediblity by taking advertisements? I have one proposal to pay $x for one year to insert a linked sentence into a particular article. I have another business willing to provide me with a copy of their software (which I might add sounds like a very intriguing program to convert any file format to PDF for $49 in investment — I currently favor oOO for that …). I know you tend to give stuff away after you evaluate it. I would not be willing to say nice things about a shoddy product, but should I say things about products at all? Right now in our right menu we talk about the things we use and like. Most of the software is free or very inexpensive.

    Nobody is forced into taking advertisements, but should I take advertisements in an effort to continue to bring my content to the people without paying personally to do so?

    I’m debating.

    Like

  37. I am looking at this very issue. We run our site over at http://htmlfixit.com and have costs. We try to provide help to people and don’t suggest we charge them anything. We ask for donations … sometimes we get a few and sometimes we don’t. But we get costs just the same every month. Enter advertising … do we or don’t we? We aren’t forced to certainly. At what point do we erode our own crediblity by taking advertisements? I have one proposal to pay $x for one year to insert a linked sentence into a particular article. I have another business willing to provide me with a copy of their software (which I might add sounds like a very intriguing program to convert any file format to PDF for $49 in investment — I currently favor oOO for that …). I know you tend to give stuff away after you evaluate it. I would not be willing to say nice things about a shoddy product, but should I say things about products at all? Right now in our right menu we talk about the things we use and like. Most of the software is free or very inexpensive.

    Nobody is forced into taking advertisements, but should I take advertisements in an effort to continue to bring my content to the people without paying personally to do so?

    I’m debating.

    Like

  38. I came to this same conclusion recently.

    I used to put advertising on the front page of noslang.com but removed it when I realized it offered no value to the user.

    I removed the main page ads (except the link to buy my book.. duh!), but added ads on the various articles and tutorials that the site offers… and my ad earnings actually went up. (despite the main page getting tons more traffic)

    Like

  39. I came to this same conclusion recently.

    I used to put advertising on the front page of noslang.com but removed it when I realized it offered no value to the user.

    I removed the main page ads (except the link to buy my book.. duh!), but added ads on the various articles and tutorials that the site offers… and my ad earnings actually went up. (despite the main page getting tons more traffic)

    Like

  40. I think it’s funny that the content on Craig’s List is advertising. Why would they want to add stuff that leads people off of their site? Doesn’t anyone remember what vertical integration is? Doesn’t that come up in BUS 101?

    Like

  41. I think it’s funny that the content on Craig’s List is advertising. Why would they want to add stuff that leads people off of their site? Doesn’t anyone remember what vertical integration is? Doesn’t that come up in BUS 101?

    Like

  42. I think it’s funny that the content on Craig’s List is advertising. Why would they want to add stuff that leads people off of their site? Doesn’t anyone remember what vertical integration is? Doesn’t that come up in BUS 101?

    Like

  43. I think it’s funny that the content on Craig’s List is advertising. Why would they want to add stuff that leads people off of their site? Doesn’t anyone remember what vertical integration is? Doesn’t that come up in BUS 101?

    Like

  44. I think it’s funny that the content on Craig’s List is advertising. Why would they want to add stuff that leads people off of their site? Doesn’t anyone remember what vertical integration is? Doesn’t that come up in BUS 101?

    Like

  45. Ryan, I’ve discovered the same thing on my site in the past. If people are looking for information, such as a tutorial or tips on building a MySpace profile (the example from my site), and they find good content that helps them in their quest on your site, they’re much more likely to be friendly to the idea of ads than if they just came to your site for the first time and you’re bombarding them with advertisements. If you just hit first-timers over the head with advertisements, they’re much more likely to stay away and you’ve reduced your effectiveness not only as a voice in the blogosphere but as someone who is trying to make money off the service they provide.

    Like

  46. Ryan, I’ve discovered the same thing on my site in the past. If people are looking for information, such as a tutorial or tips on building a MySpace profile (the example from my site), and they find good content that helps them in their quest on your site, they’re much more likely to be friendly to the idea of ads than if they just came to your site for the first time and you’re bombarding them with advertisements. If you just hit first-timers over the head with advertisements, they’re much more likely to stay away and you’ve reduced your effectiveness not only as a voice in the blogosphere but as someone who is trying to make money off the service they provide.

    Like

  47. Ryan, I’ve discovered the same thing on my site in the past. If people are looking for information, such as a tutorial or tips on building a MySpace profile (the example from my site), and they find good content that helps them in their quest on your site, they’re much more likely to be friendly to the idea of ads than if they just came to your site for the first time and you’re bombarding them with advertisements. If you just hit first-timers over the head with advertisements, they’re much more likely to stay away and you’ve reduced your effectiveness not only as a voice in the blogosphere but as someone who is trying to make money off the service they provide.

    Like

  48. Ryan, I’ve discovered the same thing on my site in the past. If people are looking for information, such as a tutorial or tips on building a MySpace profile (the example from my site), and they find good content that helps them in their quest on your site, they’re much more likely to be friendly to the idea of ads than if they just came to your site for the first time and you’re bombarding them with advertisements. If you just hit first-timers over the head with advertisements, they’re much more likely to stay away and you’ve reduced your effectiveness not only as a voice in the blogosphere but as someone who is trying to make money off the service they provide.

    Like

  49. Ryan, I’ve discovered the same thing on my site in the past. If people are looking for information, such as a tutorial or tips on building a MySpace profile (the example from my site), and they find good content that helps them in their quest on your site, they’re much more likely to be friendly to the idea of ads than if they just came to your site for the first time and you’re bombarding them with advertisements. If you just hit first-timers over the head with advertisements, they’re much more likely to stay away and you’ve reduced your effectiveness not only as a voice in the blogosphere but as someone who is trying to make money off the service they provide.

    Like

  50. Sometimes ads can be disruptive, sometimes they add to a site. I am experimenting with ads now at latenitemash.com and if used properly they can give some more life to a site.

    Like

  51. Sometimes ads can be disruptive, sometimes they add to a site. I am experimenting with ads now at latenitemash.com and if used properly they can give some more life to a site.

    Like

  52. Sometimes ads can be disruptive, sometimes they add to a site. I am experimenting with ads now at latenitemash.com and if used properly they can give some more life to a site.

    Like

  53. Sometimes ads can be disruptive, sometimes they add to a site. I am experimenting with ads now at latenitemash.com and if used properly they can give some more life to a site.

    Like

  54. Advertising can be successful when it’s relevent and useful to the audience. It’s about matching the special interests of the reader with an advertiser who matter to them. Context is key. Think about car magazines and ads for cars and accessories — readers want to see the edit and the ads.

    It’s also important think about audiences as vertical “interest groups” — so many blogs are of niche interest — think about who wants to be there and pitch them for banner ads. It can be done!

    Andy

    Like

  55. Advertising can be successful when it’s relevent and useful to the audience. It’s about matching the special interests of the reader with an advertiser who matter to them. Context is key. Think about car magazines and ads for cars and accessories — readers want to see the edit and the ads.

    It’s also important think about audiences as vertical “interest groups” — so many blogs are of niche interest — think about who wants to be there and pitch them for banner ads. It can be done!

    Andy

    Like

  56. Advertising can be successful when it’s relevent and useful to the audience. It’s about matching the special interests of the reader with an advertiser who matter to them. Context is key. Think about car magazines and ads for cars and accessories — readers want to see the edit and the ads.

    It’s also important think about audiences as vertical “interest groups” — so many blogs are of niche interest — think about who wants to be there and pitch them for banner ads. It can be done!

    Andy

    Like

  57. Michiel: good point! That box is there from WordPress. I’ll see if we can get WordPress to put a Google box there instead.

    Like

  58. Michiel: good point! That box is there from WordPress. I’ll see if we can get WordPress to put a Google box there instead.

    Like

  59. Michiel: good point! That box is there from WordPress. I’ll see if we can get WordPress to put a Google box there instead.

    Like

  60. Michiel: good point! That box is there from WordPress. I’ll see if we can get WordPress to put a Google box there instead.

    Like

  61. Michiel: good point! That box is there from WordPress. I’ll see if we can get WordPress to put a Google box there instead.

    Like

  62. I don’t run ads cause I don’t see them doing anything but taking up space I could be using for something else. The only thing I have is a smallbie for Google Adsense, I feel obligated as my blog is on Blogger. I really think the monetizing craze has gotten out of hand. If anyone does make money Google seems to shut down their account before they are paid anyway. So what is the point? You’re only making your site/ blog look cluttered, load slowly and seem like a junkpile with the content wedged in somewhere. I edit at a web directory and have begun not listing blogs and sites which don’t offer enough content versus ads. If I find them annoying likely others feel the same.

    Like

  63. I don’t run ads cause I don’t see them doing anything but taking up space I could be using for something else. The only thing I have is a smallbie for Google Adsense, I feel obligated as my blog is on Blogger. I really think the monetizing craze has gotten out of hand. If anyone does make money Google seems to shut down their account before they are paid anyway. So what is the point? You’re only making your site/ blog look cluttered, load slowly and seem like a junkpile with the content wedged in somewhere. I edit at a web directory and have begun not listing blogs and sites which don’t offer enough content versus ads. If I find them annoying likely others feel the same.

    Like

  64. Really?

    Even if this money were going to feed children for 6 months? You’d let them die?

    This isn’t a strawman. You could easily put adsense on Craiglist in a place that isn’t annoying an make more than $10M per year.

    Kevin

    Like

  65. Really?

    Even if this money were going to feed children for 6 months? You’d let them die?

    This isn’t a strawman. You could easily put adsense on Craiglist in a place that isn’t annoying an make more than $10M per year.

    Kevin

    Like

  66. Really?

    Even if this money were going to feed children for 6 months? You’d let them die?

    This isn’t a strawman. You could easily put adsense on Craiglist in a place that isn’t annoying an make more than $10M per year.

    Kevin

    Like

  67. Really?

    Even if this money were going to feed children for 6 months? You’d let them die?

    This isn’t a strawman. You could easily put adsense on Craiglist in a place that isn’t annoying an make more than $10M per year.

    Kevin

    Like

  68. Really?

    Even if this money were going to feed children for 6 months? You’d let them die?

    This isn’t a strawman. You could easily put adsense on Craiglist in a place that isn’t annoying an make more than $10M per year.

    Kevin

    Like

  69. Computers and printers: video about everyday and computers, printers and scanners, monitors. New products mouse and keyboards, computers. Laptop and printers.

    Like

  70. Computers and printers: video about everyday and computers, printers and scanners, monitors. New products mouse and keyboards, computers. Laptop and printers.

    Like

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