Author Topic: Google Ads  (Read 41759 times)

Fellfrosch

  • Administrator
  • Level 68
  • *
  • Posts: 7033
  • Fell Points: 42
  • Walkin' with a dead man over my shoulder.
    • View Profile
    • Fearful Symmetry
Google Ads
« on: January 20, 2006, 12:55:09 PM »
Given our recent boom in traffic (we've more than doubled in the past three weeks, and continue to rise) we're seriously considering the addition of Google Ads to the site. Now I hate banners as much as you do, if not more, and I recognize that an ad-free environment is one of the draws of TWG. That said, I really think that some text-only ads along the top or right side could be fairly unobtrusive, and since google ads are context-based we might actually get something interesting (though certain threads and articles are bound to generate Naked Fairy links).

The benefit of google ads would be, of course, money, which I would control, and which I would use exclusively for the good of the site; in most cases that will mean "buying games we can't get for free." This money will not be used to buy myself lunch, and I like to think that I'm a pretty fair guy, so don't worry that it is being misused.

It is important to me to get your opinions on this issue, so please let me know what you think. Are ads a wonderful idea? A tolerable idea? A horrible travesty? Sound off.
"Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you walk into an open sewer and die." --Mel Brooks

My author website: http://www.fearfulsymmetry.net

The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers

  • Administrator
  • Level 96
  • *****
  • Posts: 19211
  • Fell Points: 17
  • monkeys? yes.
    • View Profile
    • herb's world
Re: Google Ads
« Reply #1 on: January 20, 2006, 12:59:59 PM »
I think it's a good idea.

stacer

  • Level 58
  • *
  • Posts: 4641
  • Fell Points: 0
    • View Profile
    • Stacy Whitman's Grimoire
Re: Google Ads
« Reply #2 on: January 20, 2006, 01:46:31 PM »
I think it's a tolerable idea. Not great, but for a good cause.
Help start a small press dedicated to publishing multicultural fantasy and science fiction for children and young adults. http://preview.tinyurl.com/pzojaf.

Follow our blog at http://www.tupublishing.com
We're on Twitter, too! http://www.twitter.com/tupublishing

Skar

  • Moderator
  • Level 54
  • *****
  • Posts: 3979
  • Fell Points: 7
    • View Profile
Re: Google Ads
« Reply #3 on: January 20, 2006, 02:00:41 PM »
I think perhaps it's hasty.  If the boom were to continue to rise or stay at this higher level then yes,  I think it's a good idea.   But I don't think it's worth it if the boom is a fleeting thing, like it might be if the extra hits are some function of the spam posts we're starting to get.
"Skar is the kind of bird who, when you try to kill him with a stone, uses it, and the other bird, to take vengeance on you in a swirling melee of death."

-Fellfrosch

Fellfrosch

  • Administrator
  • Level 68
  • *
  • Posts: 7033
  • Fell Points: 42
  • Walkin' with a dead man over my shoulder.
    • View Profile
    • Fearful Symmetry
Re: Google Ads
« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2006, 02:21:04 PM »
It's something Tage and I have talked about for months, and even at our previous traffic level it would still bring in some money, just not as much. The recent upward trend is not the reason, just the catalyst.

You are quite correct in saying that traffic might go back down, and of course there's always the possibility that we're just getting 900 spambots per day and the ads will do nothing for us. Would you be averse to trying it out and then taking them down if they prove either useless or annoying (or both)?
"Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you walk into an open sewer and die." --Mel Brooks

My author website: http://www.fearfulsymmetry.net

Spriggan

  • Administrator
  • Level 78
  • *****
  • Posts: 10582
  • Fell Points: 31
  • Yes, I am this awesome
    • View Profile
    • Legacies Lost
Re: Google Ads
« Reply #5 on: January 20, 2006, 03:08:20 PM »
I'm fine with them.
Screw it, I'm buying crayons and paper. I can imagineer my own adventures! Wheeee!

Chuck Norris is the reason Waldo is hiding.


Fellfrosch

  • Administrator
  • Level 68
  • *
  • Posts: 7033
  • Fell Points: 42
  • Walkin' with a dead man over my shoulder.
    • View Profile
    • Fearful Symmetry
Re: Google Ads
« Reply #6 on: January 20, 2006, 04:47:36 PM »
Some ads are up on both the articles and the forum. Please give feedback (including placement and color).
"Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you walk into an open sewer and die." --Mel Brooks

My author website: http://www.fearfulsymmetry.net

42

  • RPG Editors
  • Level 56
  • *
  • Posts: 4350
  • Fell Points: 8
  • Unofficial World Saver
    • View Profile
Re: Google Ads
« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2006, 04:48:25 PM »
Could they not be where I'm used to clicking?

Maybe above the TWG logo or at the very bottom of the page.
« Last Edit: January 20, 2006, 04:50:35 PM by 42 »
The Folly of youth is to think that intelligence is a subsitute for experience. The folly of age is to think that experience is a subsitute for intelligence.

Tage

  • Moderator
  • Level 29
  • *
  • Posts: 1615
  • Fell Points: 2
  • That thing exing the machina? That's Deus.
    • View Profile
Re: Google Ads
« Reply #8 on: January 20, 2006, 04:50:39 PM »
C'mon, it's like an inch. Click lower. Besides, where else can we put them? Above the logo would look REALLY weird, and the bottom of the page defeats the entire purpose.
« Last Edit: January 20, 2006, 04:51:15 PM by Tage »
"The Maintenance Shed will sometimes spontaneously explode after being built."

Spriggan

  • Administrator
  • Level 78
  • *****
  • Posts: 10582
  • Fell Points: 31
  • Yes, I am this awesome
    • View Profile
    • Legacies Lost
Re: Google Ads
« Reply #9 on: January 20, 2006, 04:52:27 PM »
For the ones in the article is might be good to give them some padding/margines so they're not right up next to the article text.

maybe <div style="padding 0px 0px 0px 10px;"> Google adds</div>

Besides that I think they look fine
Screw it, I'm buying crayons and paper. I can imagineer my own adventures! Wheeee!

Chuck Norris is the reason Waldo is hiding.


42

  • RPG Editors
  • Level 56
  • *
  • Posts: 4350
  • Fell Points: 8
  • Unofficial World Saver
    • View Profile
Re: Google Ads
« Reply #10 on: January 20, 2006, 04:52:55 PM »
they are also coming up in the very middle of the browser, kind of overshadowing the rest of the site.

So I would suggest higher or lower.

And an inch is a lot of space when you only have 9 inches to work with.

Not to whine or anything, but the scale is off too. The color is fine and everything.

Think;             [adadadadadad]
      [logologogloglogolgogoggogoglogoggogo]
      [stuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffs]
      [stuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffs]

Not;
      [logologogloglogolgogoggogoglogoggogo]
                    [adadadadadad]
      [stuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffs]
      [stuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffs]

see the difference?
« Last Edit: January 20, 2006, 04:59:14 PM by 42 »
The Folly of youth is to think that intelligence is a subsitute for experience. The folly of age is to think that experience is a subsitute for intelligence.

Tage

  • Moderator
  • Level 29
  • *
  • Posts: 1615
  • Fell Points: 2
  • That thing exing the machina? That's Deus.
    • View Profile
Re: Google Ads
« Reply #11 on: January 20, 2006, 04:57:40 PM »
I increased the padding on the articles a bit. Should be better now.
"The Maintenance Shed will sometimes spontaneously explode after being built."

Spriggan

  • Administrator
  • Level 78
  • *****
  • Posts: 10582
  • Fell Points: 31
  • Yes, I am this awesome
    • View Profile
    • Legacies Lost
Re: Google Ads
« Reply #12 on: January 20, 2006, 05:01:49 PM »
Yes that's much better.  
Screw it, I'm buying crayons and paper. I can imagineer my own adventures! Wheeee!

Chuck Norris is the reason Waldo is hiding.


Fellfrosch

  • Administrator
  • Level 68
  • *
  • Posts: 7033
  • Fell Points: 42
  • Walkin' with a dead man over my shoulder.
    • View Profile
    • Fearful Symmetry
Re: Google Ads
« Reply #13 on: January 20, 2006, 05:03:51 PM »
Above the logo would be nice, if possible. I'd at least like to see it. Let's get more feedback before tweaking, though.
"Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you walk into an open sewer and die." --Mel Brooks

My author website: http://www.fearfulsymmetry.net

Tage

  • Moderator
  • Level 29
  • *
  • Posts: 1615
  • Fell Points: 2
  • That thing exing the machina? That's Deus.
    • View Profile
Re: Google Ads
« Reply #14 on: January 20, 2006, 05:05:01 PM »
Quote
Not to whine or anything, but the scale is off too. The color is fine and everything.

Think;             [adadadadadad]
      [logologogloglogolgogoggogoglogoggogo]
      [stuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffs]
      [stuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffs]

Not;
      [logologogloglogolgogoggogoglogoggogo]
                    [adadadadadad]
      [stuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffs]
      [stuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffstuffs]

see the difference?


Unfortunately, that's not really an option. Google has a limited number of ad formats. We can use one that's wider, but it's also taller, and personally, I think the thinner one is better.
"The Maintenance Shed will sometimes spontaneously explode after being built."