Russell Allert
Pretty much every blog and website now subscribes to the notion that they need to place some sort of ad (be it banner, video or text) to generate revenue.
I have no issue with this (as I equally have no issue with readers trying to block ads), but one thing I ask is please be revelant.
I stumbled on this site today and was immediately greeted with an ad that was not only totally irrelevant but put me off.
The site is called Monstropedia and lists all manner of creatures and monsters throughout history, and gives a description of how they are portrayed in various role-playing and computer games.
Now think of the target audience for this website. Now think of the target audience of the ad, which is a for a movie called Valentines Day – at best a date film and at worst, a movie filmed in chick-a-rama vision (sure it stars both Jessica Alba and Jessica Biel but it’s still a chick-flick).
Are these two audiences the same? I think you know the answer to that.
Why waste the advertising opportunity? Why potentially piss off a reader (or worse, make them care less)?
Most, if not all, advertising programs have filtering features which you can use to target your ads better and therefore give you the ability to have a more integrated website, featuring rich content and relevant ads.
With poor advertising like this it is no wonder most readers filter out ads (either psychologically or physically).
Give your readers relevant information – and this includes advertising – and they will both notice and appreciate it.
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2 Responses to Ads That Make Sense
My Projects
I agree, even if the ads are “related” to the website they pisses us off. I remember viewing wired.com a couple of weeks ago then suddenly Intel started to shove a minute-long animation all over the screen showing two workers pushing Intel Inside box into an imaginary shelf. I checked Intel and Wired into my list – black list. Am I the only one who thinks ads are getting even farther away from the audience because the marketing team cares only about its clickability and designers care only about showing off their skills?
That’s a great point you make, Isao, about who are behind the ads. Who drives these intrusive ads?
Why become more intrusive? You are only driving readers away. I still say become more relevant and stop looking for the new-tech solution.