The Ads finally got me

Darqref · 07-15-2010, 02:03 AM

Today, a political ad caused me much annoyance.

first, I realize that if I log in, I don't see any ads. Regardless, I usually don't log in until I want to post something. Today I followed my normal pattern, and did not log in (until now, to post this).

In every thread that I opened, the ad after the first post on each page showed an ad for a local political event. Once made me grimace, since I don't agree with the ad. Every freakin page made me more annoyed. After about the tenth time I saw it, I checked to see if I could block the ad, and discovered of course that the only link I could block would have blocked all the ads on the pages.

None of the previous ads displayed have been an annoyance, and I remember a thread or two that tried to manipulate the ads being displayed, which obviously meant they were context-sensitive. Even when the same ad is displayed a lot, it doesn't seem to bother me because they are commercial, and usually topical to the discussion. This one was political, against a local (state-wide, anyway) politician. Dunno why that annoys me more, but it does.

I could wish that, along with our general reservations about political discussion getting too heated, we could restrict political advertising. It might make me log in more, but it's more likely to make me block all the ads.

Alexander Turcic · 07-15-2010, 04:43 AM

Darqref, sorry about the inappropriate Ad. The ads are served by Google directly and we have only very limited influence over what they are. I understand that you don't like to post in unless needed, so, if you see that ad again, could you send me the target link? We have the option to blacklist individual ads and I'll make sure this one is one of them then.

TGS · 07-15-2010, 05:19 AM

I can quite understand you not wanting to alienate members, but I think you are making a rod for your own back undertaking to blacklist individual ads. Easy solution is to stay signed-in - you don't have to post if you don't want to - then you never get to see the ads.

Mike L · 07-15-2010, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexander Turcic

The ads are served by Google directly and we have only very limited influence over what they are.

Alex,

Did you know that Google will let you block all political ads, without having to block individual ones.

From the Google AdSense site, go to AdSense Setup / Ad Review Center. Scroll down to the Category Filters section. Click on Change.

You'll see a number of categories, one of which is Politics. Tick the box, then click Submit.

Of course, you have no control over what Google define as "Politics", but I think it should meet Darqref's objections.

Alexander Turcic · 07-15-2010, 09:12 AM

Thank you Mike, I will look into it!

astra · 07-16-2010, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGS

Easy solution is to stay signed-in - you don't have to post if you don't want to - then you never get to see the ads.

Absolutely agree.
If somebody doesn't want to see ads, then they should stay signed-in.
It is not as if they are forced to see the adverts. They have a choice.

goodscoolwf · 07-16-2010, 04:31 AM

It is really boring if the people received the ads which are really don't conform to his will

Darqref · 07-16-2010, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGS

I can quite understand you not wanting to alienate members, but I think you are making a rod for your own back undertaking to blacklist individual ads. Easy solution is to stay signed-in - you don't have to post if you don't want to - then you never get to see the ads.

Today, the annoying ad hasn't been seen. As I said above, I realize I can log in and not see ads, but I'm a creature of habit. The first time I tried to log in (several years ago now...) I kept getting timed out anyway, so I stopped logging in. It seems to be better now, but still, that habit.

Also, the mere fact that I have to log in to post, has kept me from making a few inappropriate replies - the extra few seconds and actions helps with the cool down phase.

In general, I don't object to seeing strange ads. It might even be instructive to occasionally see a political ad from another jurisdiction. What bugged me was the same ad on every page, just that one day - since it concerned a local politician, it kept drawing my eye and attention, which was disruptive.

I mean, it may be heretical, but once in a while I even get too much chocolate for the moment.

Mike L · 07-17-2010, 08:48 AM

Darqref,

I don't understand why you have to explicitly log in. Every time I visit Mobile Read, I'm already logged in. I don't have to do anything to make it happen.

Maybe I ticked a box somewhere to log me in automatically. If you did the same, you would never see another ad.

DixieGal · 07-17-2010, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darqref

I mean, it may be heretical, but once in a while I even get too much chocolate for the moment.

HERETIC!

Worldwalker · 07-17-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darqref

I mean, it may be heretical, but once in a while I even get too much chocolate for the moment.

There is no such thing. It's un-possible.

astra · 07-17-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darqref

I mean, it may be heretical, but once in a while I even get too much chocolate for the moment.

I have a premonition.
GeoffC will be here shortly.
Run!

BexBits · 07-17-2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike L

Darqref,

I don't understand why you have to explicitly log in. Every time I visit Mobile Read, I'm already logged in. I don't have to do anything to make it happen.

Maybe I ticked a box somewhere to log me in automatically. If you did the same, you would never see another ad.

That was my question also. A VB forum will normally keep you logged in (on the same computer of course) if you mark "remember me" when you log in. The exception would be if your browser is set to wipe out active log-ins when you close it.

07-15-2010, 02:03 AM	#1
Darqref space cadet Posts: 335 Karma: 2999999 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Seattle area Device: Rocket PRO, gen3, Pocketbook360	The Ads finally got me Today, a political ad caused me much annoyance. first, I realize that if I log in, I don't see any ads. Regardless, I usually don't log in until I want to post something. Today I followed my normal pattern, and did not log in (until now, to post this). In every thread that I opened, the ad after the first post on each page showed an ad for a local political event. Once made me grimace, since I don't agree with the ad. Every freakin page made me more annoyed. After about the tenth time I saw it, I checked to see if I could block the ad, and discovered of course that the only link I could block would have blocked all the ads on the pages. None of the previous ads displayed have been an annoyance, and I remember a thread or two that tried to manipulate the ads being displayed, which obviously meant they were context-sensitive. Even when the same ad is displayed a lot, it doesn't seem to bother me because they are commercial, and usually topical to the discussion. This one was political, against a local (state-wide, anyway) politician. Dunno why that annoys me more, but it does. I could wish that, along with our general reservations about political discussion getting too heated, we could restrict political advertising. It might make me log in more, but it's more likely to make me block all the ads.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Bogus ads?	Elsi	Feedback	6	01-15-2009 05:18 AM

07-15-2010, 04:43 AM	#2
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,175 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Darqref, sorry about the inappropriate Ad. The ads are served by Google directly and we have only very limited influence over what they are. I understand that you don't like to post in unless needed, so, if you see that ad again, could you send me the target link? We have the option to blacklist individual ads and I'll make sure this one is one of them then.

07-15-2010, 05:19 AM	#3
TGS Country Member Posts: 9,058 Karma: 7676767 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Denmark Device: Liseuse: Irex DR800. PRS 505 in the house, and the missus has an iPad.	I can quite understand you not wanting to alienate members, but I think you are making a rod for your own back undertaking to blacklist individual ads. Easy solution is to stay signed-in - you don't have to post if you don't want to - then you never get to see the ads.

07-15-2010, 09:12 AM	#5
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,175 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Thank you Mike, I will look into it!

07-16-2010, 04:31 AM	#7
goodscoolwf Member Posts: 19 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: none	It is really boring if the people received the ads which are really don't conform to his will

07-17-2010, 08:48 AM	#9
Mike L Wizard Posts: 1,479 Karma: 3846231 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Kindle 3, Samsung Galaxy	Darqref, I don't understand why you have to explicitly log in. Every time I visit Mobile Read, I'm already logged in. I don't have to do anything to make it happen. Maybe I ticked a box somewhere to log me in automatically. If you did the same, you would never see another ad.