Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Catherine on December 28, 2008 at 10:57pm

I think ads become a problem when they become the focus of a blog instead of actual content. I personally like blogs with ads. If I enjoy reading a post I like to have the option to "leave a tip" for the author and click on an ad.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Karen on December 29, 2008 at 5:40pm

I think ads become a negative only if they distract from the content or if they diminish the blogger's credibility through inappropriateness or conflict of interest. I don't see a problem with most blog advertising.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Anne-Marie Nichols on December 30, 2008 at 10:38pm

When they clutter up everything, distract from the content, and take forever to load.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by forgetfulone on December 31, 2008 at 1:04pm

Ads are not a problem as long as they are discreet. When they are the dominant feature, detract from the appearance, or the content is focused solely on ads, they become a problem and I tend to click away from those blogs.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Cinnamon Henke on December 31, 2008 at 1:29pm

I don't mind a small amount of ads placed in a way that does not get in the way of the posting. What I don't like are Paid Posts ir a lot of in text ads.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ali on December 31, 2008 at 6:18pm

If you're noticing the ads then that's good for the advertiser, but when you're noticing the ads and neglecting the content, that's not so good for the blogger.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by jinniver on January 1, 2009 at 12:17pm

As soon as ads become distracting, they're not good. I hate large ads, but not nearly as much as I hate animated ads. As soon as something starts blinking or moving or flashing, I'm outta there and I'm not coming back. In fact, I limit my time here because of the ads, sadly.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Maternal Spark on January 2, 2009 at 12:15pm

I have ads on my blog so obviously I think they are ok. Types of advertising that aren't good for a blog:

*Paid posts
*Sneaky pop up, mouse over animated, get lost forever type rabbit hole links.
*Google adsense - they are just clutter unless you have a very targeted site and large amounts of traffic
* even nice ads are bad for a blog when there are just too darn many of them.

I like to think I maintain a good balance of ads vs content and if anyone catches me NOT having a good balance - call me on it, please.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lolli on January 2, 2009 at 1:01pm

Good question! I have tried running some ads on my blog, but without any success. I have tried to keep them discreet, which probably leads to my lack of clicks. Maybe too many bloggers have ads now, and they're too often the same ads that we see over and over. On the other hand, I have found some very helpful links from other people's ads. Like most others, I like them as long as the site doesn't become too busy and cluttered with ads.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Amanda E on January 6, 2009 at 1:42am

When a blog has too many ads and it feels like they are blogging for money rather than to share good content. Especially if it has ads and no real content.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sharon Spray on January 7, 2009 at 1:38am

I don't mind ads as long as the whole blog isn't an ad. My blog only advertises my own business and then I have the google thing but it's all in the side lines and never distracts from the blog posts.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Harriet B on January 7, 2009 at 11:06am

Thanks for the input!

• ▶ Reply