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Removing skyscraper ad on Localism

Just a quick note to thank everyone for their feedback on the skyscraper ad. I tend to agree that the mix of advertisers takes away from the user experience. Expect the ad to be removed from the site sometime later today.

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Seattle real estate search

Posted by Jon Washburn on 07/11/2008 12:31 PM

Comments (42)

localism

Originally posted at: jonwashburn: Removing skyscraper ad on Localism

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Post is included in group: The New Localism

42 Comments on Removing skyscraper ad on Localism

JUL

2008

Ya see everyone (well, not everyone) they do care! That really looks better, Jonathan. But, I do not see the problem with you guys running ads....tasteful ads.........ya gotta make some money somewhere, 'cause I never gave ya any........... ; ) get some rest tomorrow....maybe Sunday?

Interesting. I had no problem with the ad. I suspected that it was a syndicated ad and would rotate many ads subscribing to a particular advertising program.

It can't be any worse than Google AdSense. ActiveRain has few, if any direct competitors so you're not likely to see an ad for a competitor in the skyscraper ad copy.

I concurr with David. I don't see the problem with running tasteful ads either.

Thanks Jon for listening to the masses of people. I think you should have some ads, just as long as they aren't in competition with your member database...I mean I am sure there are a few rolex watch dealers or maybe a viagra dealer that would love to buy some...I mean they email me everyday!

As part of the support team here at AR, I just wanted to say, I hope you ALL know that we are listening, reading, discussing and fixing. We do care!! :-)

Jonathan- I don't see a problem with the ads either. What if you could put the skyscraper google adsense in blocks with not so much ad but rather a group of ads like on adsense focused sites? I use Squidoo for my The Secret stuff and they have adsense running down the sides of my lens, never bothered me and does not affect my response. Maybe you could look into something like that.

Brad, thanks you guys do a great job. Thanks for listening. If I say good things does that mean you will make me #1 on localism

Jonathon, Wow you do so much for us and for this community.

See people all you had to do was ask.

No problem for the ads running for me. Just not weird ones !

I agree with the others. No problem with good looking ads running there!

Most of us have become use to sidebar ads and don't generally find them offensive, but thanks for looking out for us.

Although at first these ads were a bit surprising to see......I don't pay as much attention to them anymore and you have to eventually generate revenue somewhere...some how. As a member for over two years I've been wondering who has been paying the bill for all this free access. I just didn't like seeing them in my email notifications but now I don't even look at them.

So here's my question...with no ads, how do you monetize the site?

I really do not see a problem with the ad...I do not really pay a lot of attention to these things anyway.

I wasn't bothered by the ads - just the weird ones like the $4 gas - those pictures were scary :). I did like a couple of ads that showed up around my blog - I wrote a Navy piece and the ads were old Navy postcards for sale on Ebay - they were cool. Oh and no dating service please - lol!

I wasn't bothered by the ads. But localism isn't about US.... It's about the user. Let's make them feel safe.

With the majority, no problem and keep it tasteful.

Jonathan, I didn't have a problem with the ads on the side. I actually think is added some professionalism to the site. People are use to that stuff from the big site. If you don't have them it looks like you can't get advertisers. My 2 cents.

I think this was a good move Jonathan. I don't have a problem with ads per se, but I did notice several instances on localism where ads that were directly competing with the poster were displayed.

I have ads on my blog. But I'm sure not going to run an ad for another Phoenix real estate agent on my own phoenix real estate blog...

I will just publically put out there that I am not happy with the margin format on the localism. for someone like me with my market reports and banners makes everything look horrible. I think AR, Localism and anything else to follow all needs to be consistent with its parameters..... don'tcha think???

I think I'd only get upset if there was a Viagra ad...otherwise, it would be fine :-)

I think that we all agree that you have got to make some money somewhere. I personally do not mind the ads. I was very impressed with Localisms new look and feel and I will be adding some more content soon. I have not been very active here in the rain lately because business has been pretty crazy but I will make sure to post something to the new Localism this weekend, which reminds me; Have a great weekend everyone!

Sincerely,

Christopher Ohlsen

Mortgage Specialist

I'm not sure that I can ad anything new to this, but I expect to see ads on these pages, I just don't want my post to advertise a competitor. I don't know if you guys have any way to handle that, but it would be my wish. I do believe that you guys need to make money off of your hard work, and we all appreciate what you've done.

Ditto, to most of the above. The ads didn't bother me either. I agree, however, that they need to be tasteful. I'm so impressed at how you all DO listen to everyone, are so quick to respond and make changes. Do you all EVER sleep? Keep up the good work.

Good luck monetizing the site. AR & Localism are on the short list of sites that i do not block ads on

Hey Jon, I didn't have a problem with the ad either. In fact the one I saw when I noticed it was kind of interesting...

Is there a New Localism group yet? It's getting kinda hard to follow what's happening in the different threads, with no cental base to locate all the gripes and good news. Mahalo for listening.

I am sure the comments on the process of change will help you make other changes. I am glad you keep changing and listen to the suggestions.

Thank you and ditto what Missy and others said.

I had no problem with the ad.... I thought they were classy in comparison to a lot of ads you see online. I did not pay much attention to what they were advertising except the one that Sandra Cummings pointed out in CT. Someone added a CT prison as a community and when Sandra was looking at the page on Localism for the prison there was an ad for training for corrections officers.

Barely noticed the difference. I had to look real hard. I too see no issue with the placement of the ad. It was not in the way of the content. You guys are a business. If proper placed ads that don't take away from the quality content bring in some revenue and allow you to continue to run this solid network then I see no issue.

Have to jump on the bandwagon here. No problem with ads that did not compete with what we do - ie lead generation sites. I think some ads would be appropriate and could even add value to the reader - such as Lowe's or some sort of home improvement site, moving companies or even insurance agents.

Hey Jonathon,

Nice job but I had no problem with the skyscraper ad to begin with..

Didn't even notice the ads when i was surfing... but my FireFox blocks a lot of ads. I wouldn't have an issue as long as I don't have a competitor there (spelled s-p-o-n-s-o-r-o-f-t-h-e-c-o-m-m-u-n-i-t-y).

I think tasteful ads are fine and they are a necessity to keep the cost down for those rainers who want to contribute.

JUL

2008

LOL @Lane

I appreciate that all of you actually listen to the members opinions and take them into consideration in your decisions.

It wasn't the advertising that bugged me, but what was being advertised. Some people saw competitors, I saw the same presidential candidate's ads several times. My content is not the place for either.

Thanks for listening. It's OK by me if you guys make some money.

JUL

2008

Jonathan...

I'm just parking. I finally had some time to clean up my reader and this post popped up. Obviously you weren't on my hit list :)

TLW...ROAR!

JUL

2008

I may be in the minority. I am glad you are doing away with it. I agree with running ads, but not large ones that appear to be part of the members post.

Signed,

an Active Rain Advertiser

JUL

2008

thanks, and yes we read this one too. still looking to sponsor a community, somehow pay for it... and don't know where.

continuing on...

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Jon Washburn

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Originally created to interact with the ActiveRain community this blog has taken on a new life as my time leading ActiveRain has waned. My writing has now taken a turn to chronically the joys and challenges of creating a new community: DailyTicket.

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