Google Ads

mosc · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 3:11 pm Post subject: Google Ads

We're experimenting with placing Google Ads here on electro-music. We need some income to pay the bills. This experiment involves seeing how much these ads will return (Google doesn't provide the algorithm), and getting feedback from our members about their appropriateness.

The claim that Google makes is that the ads are appropriate to the site. They select ads that are a good match for the pages being displayed. It seems logcal since they have scanned every page on the site several times for their search engine. Hopefully, these ads won't detract from the experience of electro-music.com.

Please let me know by reply to this topic or by PM if you think these ads are inappropriate, or if they detract from the ambience and experience of our site. Also, if you find that there are ads being placed for companies that are inconsistent with our values; I'd like to know.

Thank you.

seraph · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 3:29 pm Post subject: Re: Google Ads

elektro80 · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 3:34 pm Post subject:

Do you get money just for having hem there.. or only when someone clicks on them?

seraph · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 3:41 pm Post subject:

mosc · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 3:49 pm Post subject:

They pay only on click throughs, but they might keep counts of IP addresses and how they map to the targeted sites. This is just my guess, but I doubt if it would count as a hit if one repeatedly clicked on the same ad. I figure I'll run this ad for a month and see what becomes of it. I already notice that the same ads are showing up time after time. Still, they are pretty well targeted to things that might be of interest to our members. scratch

seraph · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 3:56 pm Post subject:

how come when you click on an ad it replaces the previous window instead of opening a new one Question

elektro80 · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 3:58 pm Post subject:

YUp.. that is not cool at all.. it should open a new window.. Shocked

mosc · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 6:11 pm Post subject:

Yes, you are right. The ads are called by a <script> tag. This doesn't accept a traget.

Maybe this is a show stopper. I'll check in with the Google site and see if there is any information there.

mosc · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 6:26 pm Post subject:

Yikes: https://www.google.com/support/adsense/bin/answer.py?answer=9737&topic=157

elektro80 · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 6:35 pm Post subject:

Shit! This is obscene!

Well, I will learn to open those links in a new window.. no probs

elle · Joined: May 19, 2004 Posts: 5

Based on my experience, you should be able to get around $2.00/1000 views. Not bad for little work, and Google's ads don't seem as intrusive as most advertising.

Note that Google's terms say that you can't encourage people to click on the ads, and that you can't discuss details of how its working for you.

Because of this, I won't talk about specifics!

mosc · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:08 am Post subject:

Thanks, Elle. I'm not seeing that kind of financial return based on the page they provide. The same ads keep showing up time after time. It kinda means their targeting scheme is more impressive in their advertising than in real life. There doesn't seem to be much variety. I agree they aren't obtrusive, primarily because they are text only and because the colors can be adjusted to match the theme of the site.

zynthetix · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 4:01 pm Post subject:

I noticed these guys on the log-in screen. I had to do a double take before realizing what they were though. The good qualities I noticed were the same ones you mentioned mosc. Text only, few words, the colors, and related subject matter make them easy on the eye and mind. The ads are also positioned in decent spots....they are not in the way, but will get some notice at least on the log-in screens. The lack of a new window kind of sucks, but I don't see a real reason to get rid of them (unless they don't pay off). I am very used to opening things in new windows or tabs, and I am sure many other people are too.

As far as ads in general, these text ones seem appropiate. certain image ads would be worth considering for the future, if the price is right and so are the ad topics. The only ads I really object to are animations in bright or fluroscent colors that say "CLICK ME! ETC."

diskonext · Joined: Aug 26, 2004 Posts: 306 Location: London, UK

Agree 100% zynthetix...

I saw that the sysop even has the ability to block certain advertisers completely, which is a nice gesture. Not that important for electro-music.com but for some websites this is a godsend (think about having your competitors' ads popping up at your website, haha).

We even should make an informal policy of clicking on the ads from time to time (sorry, Google, we love you), just to support electro-music.com.

-diskonext

elektro80 · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 5:47 pm Post subject:

mosc · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 6:38 pm Post subject:

Yes, no matter how logical and appropriate that sounds, we will not discuss this, because it is forbidden. Please unthink any ideas you may have about Google ads. Rolling Eyes

I guess we could have a "Discuss Google ads day" here on the site. On that day, we could turn off the ads. Then, I guess we'd be free to think and discuss as we choose. After the discussion is over, we could turn off the ads.

I figure Yahoo would have something similar, but I can't find anything about it on their site. I guess Google doesn't forbid us talking about Yahoo ads, eh?

Funny, I used to like Google before I started dealing with them in a business relationship (sic). Now, well, I can't talk about it... Crying or Very sad

zynthetix · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:13 pm Post subject:

i don't know much about the mechanics of banner ads. are cookies required for an effective hit to the advertiser's website? I would think that is kept track of on their side of things.

paul e. · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:16 pm Post subject:

i'm glad to see you have some revenue stream set up..things like this forum cost money..i have no objection whatsoever, and will click a few as a matter of interest

jksuperstar · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:37 pm Post subject:

Hmmm. don't know how it's related, but my current ad is for "Invisible Playing Cards".

google_ad.JPG

Description:

Related Google Ad for "Invisible Playing Cards"

Filesize:

17.55 KB

Viewed:

21223 Time(s)

jksuperstar · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:41 pm Post subject:

Ahh, that's better. Now, it's for Nord/Clavia Keyboards.

mosc · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 7:50 am Post subject:

To my knowledge, cookies aren't used by Google ads. All of the ads link back through a Google server so they can keep track of clickthroughs and IP addresses.

The ads themselves are called from a javascript that is linked from a Google server. I can't see the inards of the script. It's a good mechanism for them to put up the ads they think are appropriate, and to keep things secret and unalterable by the customers.

seraph · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 4:19 pm Post subject:

mosc · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 8:21 pm Post subject:

We aren't going to mess with it. I think the fact that people can right-click on the links and open in another window is good enough.

seraph · Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 12:51 am Post subject:

mosc · Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 7:08 am Post subject:

Hey, I use a Logitech Trackman on my Mac and it works great.