Testing Google Adsense

[Pekka]

Soon you will see Google adsense sponsored ads on bottom of thread view page. Adsense is a very popular and least distracting method of getting funds for running the site. The ads are small text-only ads and related to current page content, so in most cases they are really useful and beneficial for our users who are apparently always seeking for new gear :) They do not slow pageloads at all.

First the ad show public service ads, in couple of days Google will spider the pages and real camera stuff related ads should emerge.

Later, those who have donated or bought from POTN shop will not see the ads (this feature will be set on in coming weeks as it takes a bit of setting up).

Ads are not shown in Glamour forum to conform with Google Adsense terms of service.

PM me about any technical problems with the ads.

[ssim]

I don't mind the adds at the bottom of the thread and hopefully this will generate the much needed funds that you need to provide us with this great forum.

I was surprised when I was in the nature forum that one of the first adds was for an online dating service for a specific ethnic group.:?:

[Wazza]

Saw these earlier. They're ok.

And at least display relevant info. New Zealand camera sites.

[EOSAddict]

Have no problem with them - good to see external funding without any hint of compromise of the forum - keep it up Pekka!

[chris.bailey]

See no problems with them, if they are happy to pay for them then great. Its the multiple pop-ups that annoy me!

[Rob612]

No problem here also. Beside the fact that I did donate AND bought POTN stuff, acyually I see them and I do not mind at all. They are non invasive and don't bother me.

[Stosh]

great idea. Minimal intrusion with hopefully good financial support for our favorite forum.

I wouldn't mind viewing them even though I also bought POTN stuff and donated. The only thing that I would change is making the links open in a new window.

[Pekka]

I'll have to see if getting the ads open in new window is possible - Google has quite strict rules for it all.

I'm trying in few minutes a new placement for ads - placing them on top portion of screen is apparently much more effective (logical of course). Let's see what happens.

[rfreschner]

Great idea to raise funds for the forum! :cool:

[drisley]

The ads appear after the very first post, not at the bottom of the page.
Is this normal?

[tommykjensen]

The only thing that I would change is making the links open in a new window.

Right-click "Open in a new window" should do the trick.

[cmM]

The ads appear after the very first post, not at the bottom of the page.
Is this normal?

Yea, that's a little distracting. Oh well, the bill has to get paid, so I have nothing against it. I can live with the distraction

[tommykjensen]

The ads appear after the very first post, not at the bottom of the page.
Is this normal?

I see it after all posts just before the post reply button. I view threads with latest on top.

[rfreschner]

I see it right after the first post in both Firefox and Internet Explorer.

[Pekka]

Let's try that position for a while - maybe you do not notice it after few days :)

[tommykjensen]

It appears that the setting in usercp "Thread Display Mode" influence where the ad is shown.

I have set "Thread Display Mode" to "Linear - Newest first" which means that the first post is displayed at the bottom of the list directly followed by the ad.

With "Thread Display Mode" set to "Linear - Oldest first" the first post is displayed at the top directly followed by the ad followed by the rest of the posts.

I wonder if this is a desired result. I prefer to have newest posts on top which means I will rarely see the ads, and it will be even more rare when the thread have 2 or more pages.

[EOSAddict]

great idea. Minimal intrusion with hopefully good financial support for our favorite forum.

I wouldn't mind viewing them even though I also bought POTN stuff and donated. The only thing that I would change is making the links open in a new window.

Agree with both points

[drisley]

I don't mind it at all. I just was wondering if it was supposed to be at the top after the first post.
If it helps the forum, then let's keep it! :)
Btw, does clicking on the ads help you generate money? If so, we should all make a point of clicking once a day.
Although, when I click on the links, nothing happens... unless I right click and select "open in new window".

[KennyG]

I hate them after the first post. It would deter me from starting a thread, having them directly under my own post. Other forums have them either at the bottom or at the very top, directly below the User CP etc banner. Where they are now is not advertising, it is a poke in the eye.

[Pekka]

I don't mind it at all. I just was wondering if it was supposed to be at the top after the first post.
If it helps the forum, then let's keep it! :)

Btw, does clicking on the ads help you generate money?

Yes. See http://www.google.com/services/adsense_tour/

If so, we should all make a point of clicking once a day.
I can not really comment on that. Please do not organize anything related to viewing ads - let things flow naturally :)

Although, when I click on the links, nothing happens... unless I right click and select "open in new window".

Odd. Anyone else has this problem?

[Pekka]

I hate them after the first post. It would deter me from starting a thread, having them directly under my own post. Other forums have them either at the bottom or at the very top, directly below the User CP etc banner. Where they are now is not advertising, it is a poke in the eye.

Give it a couple of weeks and see if you still feel that way. This is a new thing to all.

[rpolitsr]

The Google adsense ads are fine for me, even after the first post.

I do not find them distracting, they are clearly marked as sponsored links, do not fight with the security levels of the browser, and I can choose if I open them in the same window (left click), in a new window (shift+left click), or if I do not open them at all at a given moment.

They for sure will help to keep this forum running, and I love this site a lot.

Also, I think it is amusing to see how well they are related with the theme of the topic.

[Davis]

Dunno if this was already mentioned, but I think it would be better if the ads opened the link up in a new window, so it doesn't take people away from the site... just a thought. :D

Also, when I click them they work fine :D

[anttor]

yea def. dont like it after the first post, quite annoying..

[toner]

I understand the need for advertising revenue... However, I, personally, would prefer to pay a yearly fee to use this site than have to deal with pay per click advertisements. The ads disturb the flow of the forums for me. Just my nickel's worth....
T.

[tommykjensen]

I understand the need for advertising revenue... However, I, personally, would prefer to pay a yearly fee to use this site than have to deal with pay per click advertisements. The ads disturb the flow of the forums for me. Just my nickel's worth....
T.

See what Pekka wrote:
Later, those who have donated or bought from POTN shop will not see the ads (this feature will be set on in coming weeks as it takes a bit of setting up).

[theflyingkiwi]

I am going to add my 2cents worth. I don't mind the ads but seem to apart of the interweb thing these days. However I do find the ads listed after the first place really annoying.

it really does distract from trying to read a post as the eye will natualy flow to what's next. Even on the hight of a screen of 1280x1024 one can't see the next post.

Ohh well.

[Blue Deuce]

The ads in general and specifically after the first post have ruined the small town atmosphere I felt on this forum.

[JakeC]

I'm sorry but I have to agree with those who find adsense to be in a very distracting position, from experience you'll find you get less hits this way than with it at the bottom of the forum. Users aren't in going to click away from a topic they just opened nor they going to click away just before replying.It'll pay for the bandwidth though, on a site with this much traffic it'll pay for it threefold once things get going.

We averaged about $48 US a month on a 800 member automotive website, where it was dominated by teenagers not interested in links for new cars etc. With photography the links seem very relevant, I predict that you'll make much much more than hosting costs...no matter where you place the links.

It's a great site though Pekka, so I'll be around regardless. ;)

[tommykjensen]

Guys, did You not see what Pekka writes


Later, those who have donated or bought from POTN shop will not see the ads (this feature will be set on in coming weeks as it takes a bit of setting up).

So You can eventually get rid of the ads completely.

Or You can have them in the bottom as me by changing Your "Display thread" in usercp to "Linear - newest on top"

[JakeC]

I think most of us understand that Tommy. IMHO aren't they just two fundraising options achieving the same goal.

Shouldn't adsense really negate the need for 'donations' rather than giving users an ultimatum between the two?

[tommykjensen]

I think most of us understand that Tommy. IMHO aren't they just two fundraising options achieving the same goal.

Shouldn't adsense really negate the need for 'donations' rather than giving users an ultimatum between the two?

In theory yes. But as Pekka also can tell You the donations went fine in the beginning but as I understand it they have slowed down so adding the ads with an option to avoid them by making a donation or buying from the shop money should start to flow again.


note to self: about time to make a new donation.

[neil_r]

Sorry, I hate them with a passion. When will they be invisible to those who make donations and purchased from the POTN shop?

I really really don't like them and that will not change with time. I will return periodically to check, but 'till then goodbye xxx

N

[Pekka]

I moved the ad to third post. It will not be show if there is only one post.

I'm now working on hiding ads from all those who have donated - if you did not give your forum username when donating I can not hide you, so give me a PM if you donated and still see ads tomorrow.

Hiding ads from POTN shop users are a bit more complicated matter because forum usernames are not know - but we will try find ways to get the usernames of those persons with pcasciola.

Neil and others: please try to have a little bit of understanding what is going on here. Donations were running great for tree weeks and then they have reduced to virtually nothing. POTN shop strap project was a success and after that shop usage has naturally calmed down, too - Phil is doing a good job with it but we really cannot mailbomb people to use the shop. I do not have worries about paying the server now, I am looking into finding resources for coming year when we will have 30,000 new members and will definitely need more server power to handle it all. And Google ads are something YOU do not have to pay for.

I will work to make the ads as bearable as possible for all long-time members, but placing the ads so that no one can see them defies the purpose of the ads. I have now made an automation to remove the ads for all who have 1000 posts (it will come to effect in one hour after I posted this). Let's see what else will come.

[©andergraph]

I hate them after the first post. It would deter me from starting a thread, having them directly under my own post. Other forums have them either at the bottom or at the very top, directly below the User CP etc banner. Where they are now is not advertising, it is a poke in the eye.

yeah, im with you. at the top or bottom (not where threads should be) doesnt look bad, but having them just breaks up the reading. it (in my huble opinion of course :) ) makes using the forum harder, i think i would find myself using the forum less (it really is that annoying in its current position)

does it pay more being in that position?

[Bruce Watson]

I have no problem with the new ad program and support the innovations to self fund this site one hundred percent.

POTN has been a great resource for me, as well as a friendly community, but we all have to look at it realistically, a growing operation of this size cannot be totally free; it has been coming out Pekka's generosity recently supplemented by donations and the shop.

But you only need so many camera straps and vests (they are great by the way), the monthly server, bandwidth and amortized upgrade costs keep coming in and will grow with the community.
The banner ads are a small price to pay for what we get.

We're all free to be part of this community or not, so I guess a few will threaten to leave over it, but that doesn't change a thing.

[©andergraph]

We're all free to be part of this community or not, so I guess a few will threaten to leave over it, but that doesn't change a thing.

exactly, its a choice quite a few will make but only because of the position it is in. i hope it brings in enough to cover the costs though.

[pcasciola]

It's still FAR less ads than I see on other forums, and less instrusive ads as well. Sure beats the flash animations that pop up and trick you into clicking on them by overlapping other links you might want to click on, or graphical ads from third party ad sites that take 30 seconds to load.

I say leave them wherever generates the most link throughs. POTN is a great place, and face it, it's not FREE to run and people are donating tons and tons or time to keep it going, especially between Pekka and the mods who put in countless hours.

I will get the email list of POTN shop buyers/donations over to Pekka today, but if the email address you specified when you purchased does not match the one on record with POTN, it might not work, so check your User CP and Paypal receipt to make sure they match. Pekka, please correct me if it does not work that way.

[Pekka]

yeah, im with you. at the top or bottom (not where threads should be) doesnt look bad, but having them just breaks up the reading. it (in my huble opinion of course :) ) makes using the forum harder, i think i would find myself using the forum less (it really is that annoying in its current position)

Now the ads are as the third post.
I would not like to put them on bottom because no one sees them. I would not like to put them on top because it pushes the whole page content and first post downwards.

There is a possible place under the navigation dropdowns, to the right of topmost "post reply" button, but I have to see how it could be done technically and how it fits there.

does it pay more being in that position?

The position of ads is essential.

[©andergraph]

what about top right? even if you have to make it a little deeper? thing is, im looking from a "dont want to see them" point of view :)

i suppose if you want people to see them then in thread might be how you want it, just beware that if people get to used to them they will just look right past them and ignore them

just my 2p though

[dancinec]

I am getting an interruption after sending a reply and it is connected to Google somehow. It stops the push from the server while something is happening. I have to go back and reload the forum, re loading the page does not work. It does not happen every time, just enough to be annoying.

[Pekka]

Ok, I'll investigate. It must be the quick reply box....

[Pekka]

Ok, this is the latest approach.

The ads are now on top.

They are not put between posts, EXCEPT for guests. And for them the ads come as 4th post on each page, with info "This sponsored link block will go away when you log in as member"

[rfreschner]

The ads are now on top.

Looks good Pekka! Much less intrusive. Thanks!

[Prox]

It is MUCH better with the ads on top. It was way too disturbing with the ads after the first post.

[Blue Deuce]

I am happy again. Now you are accomplishing your goal of generating revenue for this wonderful site and for the viewer they wont detract from his reading through the posts.

[Pekka]

Thanks for the feedback all! This is not a one way street (either way) :)

[Jemmind]

Pekka,
I have a question regarding the ads; and I know all about reseller ratings and always check out online retailers before you buy anything online; but are the companies in the ads in here now trustworthy? I would hate for someone to get cheated by one of these companies, it would make us less trustworthy as a forum; at least it seems to me. Are you approving the companies that are on those ads or how is that working? LIke on of them is for www.expresscameras.com which on resellerratings.com had over 220 reviews, and only a rating of .31 (yes that is POINT THREE ONE) in the last 6 months and 1.07 lifetime. I just am concerned that some people may trust the content on those ads because POTN is such a good trustworthy site. If I am making sense?!?!?! PLus I personally would not want to receive revenues for sponcering ads for these companies that are not good or ethical. I would rather see a manditory membership fee on this site than lead someone to get ripped off. I will make a donation other than buying my strap, but that won't stop unsuspecting people from trusting something that is advertised on this site.
Thanks,
Julie

[Pekka]

Pekka,
I have a question regarding the ads; and I know all about reseller ratings and always check out online retailers before you buy anything online; but are the companies in the ads in here now trustworthy? I would hate for someone to get cheated by one of these companies, it would make us less trustworthy as a forum; at least it seems to me. Are you approving the companies that are on those ads or how is that working? LIke on of them is for www.expresscameras.com which on resellerratings.com had over 220 reviews, and only a rating of .31 (yes that is POINT THREE ONE) in the last 6 months and 1.07 lifetime. I just am concerned that some people may trust the content on those ads because POTN is such a good trustworthy site. If I am making sense?!?!?! PLus I personally would not want to receive revenues for sponcering ads for these companies that are not good or ethical. I would rather see a manditory membership fee on this site than lead someone to get ripped off. I will make a donation other than buying my strap, but that won't stop unsuspecting people from trusting something that is advertised on this site.
Thanks,
Julie


If I see that a specific advertiser site is not something we want to see here I can filter it out from ads.

They are now off the ad list.

[neil_r]

Neil and others: please try to have a little bit of understanding what is going on here. Donations were running great for tree weeks and then they have reduced to virtually nothing.

I hear what you say Pekka, I really like it here so another donation is on the way.....

N

[pcasciola]

This may become an ongoing problem. I just saw this post on another thread:

Hey Now ... has anyone dealt with Royal Camera? http://store.yahoo.com/royalcamera/caeos20dwpa4.html. Is this a good purchase with these two lenses? I found this site becausee the are a sponsor of this forum.[
This could become a lot of work if Pekka has to individually analyze every reseller that comes through and manually weed out the less-than-reputable places. I wonder if it's worth just making a rule that any advertisers that come up with a resellerrating of less than 90% are excluded somehow, or putting a disclaimer to tell people to check resellerratings, and that POTN does not endorse any particular advertiser.

Just a thought....

[Jemmind]

I think that there definatley needs to be some montioring of these ads. Part of the reason that POTN is such a great site is that I can trust what is on here. If a blanket warning was put up, it would sound as if POTN does not care if someone is hurt by their sponsors or venders or what have you.

[Pekka]

I think that there definatley needs to be some montioring of these ads. Part of the reason that POTN is such a great site is that I can trust what is on here. If a blanket warning was put up, it would sound as if POTN does not care if someone is hurt by their sponsors or venders or what have you.

I do care. Let me know if you see something that you know is not ok.

[Davis]

Just wanted to say... I love the ads up top soooooooo much better!!

[Adrian]

Pekka,

My two scents worth......

I would happily contribute towards the running of the board or gladly pay an annual subscription. IMHO I would love to NEVER see any ads and as such would be happy to cough up! just say the word. ;)

[Pekka]

Pekka,

My two scents worth......

I would happily contribute towards the running of the board or gladly pay an annual subscription. IMHO I would love to NEVER see any ads and as such would be happy to cough up! just say the word. ;)

Well, because you are POTN shop customer you will never see the ads again (....done). :)

I'll try to set the rest of POTN shop customers to no "ads group" tomorrow - things are quite busy now so please bear with me.

[Blue Deuce]

Just wanted to let Pekka know in his infinite wisdom ( and with members suggestions ) that Adsense doesnt detract from my viewing pleasure. I must add that I dont even notice them which could in fact be counterproductive for their intended purpose. But please dont change a thing.

[drisley]

Are the Ads even still running?
I haven't seen any ads in here since the first day this was posted.

Edit: Oh, I just read that Pekka set us POTN customer to "no ads"

[rfreschner]

Edit: Oh, I just read that Pekka set us POTN customer to "no ads"

Actually, I was a POTN customer (in the first 10 I believe) and I still see the ads. They don't really bother me up at the top though so I really don't care.

[Jemmind]

Actually, I was a POTN customer (in the first 10 I believe) and I still see the ads. They don't really bother me up at the top though so I really don't care.

I was one of the first also and I still see the ads. The thing that really bothers me about them , and this may be due to the size or settings of my browser (mozilla) that the box the ads are in is a set size--but the ads themselves are longer than the box so it won't let me see the bottom part of the ad that shows the URL.

Ok, now I just opened the forum in IE. It doesn't even SHOW the URL for the ads. I resized the forum in Mozilla and now I can see the whole ad and the URL is there. That is so weird.

I would rather them be gone myself. The only reason I have not asked for them to be taken down is that I like to check on some sellers on resellerratings.com and be an ad police. But they are better now content wise than in the beginning.

Wackiness abounds.
Julie

[EOSAddict]

I was one of the first also and I still see the ads. The thing that really bothers me about them , and this may be due to the size or settings of my browser (mozilla) that the box the ads are in is a set size--but the ads themselves are longer than the box so it won't let me see the bottom part of the ad that shows the URL.

Ok, now I just opened the forum in IE. It doesn't even SHOW the URL for the ads. I resized the forum in Mozilla and now I can see the whole ad and the URL is there. That is so weird.

I would rather them be gone myself. The only reason I have not asked for them to be taken down is that I like to check on some sellers on resellerratings.com and be an ad police. But they are better now content wise than in the beginning.

Wackiness abounds.
Julie

Also a Firefox user and a POTN purchaser and can still see the ads - but it doesnt really bother me

[Jemmind]

Now some of the ads I still cannot read them all.
Pekka, can I request my ads be removed; i did buy a strap; and the ads are just not showing up right no matter what I try plus I don't buy things online from ads anyways. Thanks.
julie

[Pekka]

Now some of the ads I still cannot read them all.
Pekka, can I request my ads be removed; i did buy a strap; and the ads are just not showing up right no matter what I try plus I don't buy things online from ads anyways. Thanks.
julie

Done.

[EOSAddict]

Ads gone now, Thanks Pekka :)

[DavidW]

Just checking - should I be ad-free?

I donated via Paypal a while back, mentioning my user name as I did so. Should this automatically exempt me from seeing ads, or was that only for people that donated before a certain date?



David

[Pekka]

Just checking - should I be ad-free?

I donated via Paypal a while back, mentioning my user name as I did so. Should this automatically exempt me from seeing ads, or was that only for people that donated before a certain date?



David

Fixed.

[DavidW]

Cheers Pekka - this is a great forum to be part of. Looking forward to Exhibit Engine 2.0 now.



David

[tucked]

I purchased a POTN strap... and can still see the ads. I don't mind though... I just overlook it. My question is this: does this site earn any more money from ad clicks, or same amount for displaying the ad? If I click every few days to earn more money... I'll click away.

David

[Pekka]

I purchased a POTN strap... and can still see the ads. I don't mind though... I just overlook it. My question is this: does this site earn any more money from ad clicks, or same amount for displaying the ad? If I click every few days to earn more money... I'll click away.

David

Google pays by click, not by views.

[vjack]

I bought a POTN strap too and continue to get ads.

[Pekka]

I bought a POTN strap too and continue to get ads.

Sorry, fixed - see them now?

[rfreschner]

Pekka - I just noticed the post about Google paying by click not view. Since I don't ever click on them and have donated to the forum as well as purchased a strap and, most recently, a vest, would you please remove the ads for me. Thanks.

[lakiluno]

the ads are removed if you reach over 1000 posts I believe.

If you really object to having ads, there are methods of removing them, but I won't say - I know that one site I run depends on ads, and I know that the hosting bill here must be huge.

Just post to 1000 and you'll never see ads again!

[rfreschner]

the ads are removed if you reach over 1000 posts I believe.

Actually, the ads are removed if you purchase something from the POTN store or contribute to the forum. I really didn't mind them when I thought they might be bringing Pekka some more revenue but, since they don't if I don't click on them, I'd really rather not see them.

[Pekka]

Pekka - I just noticed the post about Google paying by click not view. Since I don't ever click on them and have donated to the forum as well as purchased a strap and, most recently, a vest, would you please remove the ads for me. Thanks.

Done. Thanks!