They have been here seen well before you joined STF. I've deliberately put them at the bottom so they don't interrupt the discussion flow as I don't like ads either - but some strange people do
A couple of things have happened in recent years. Google has changed the selection of adverts from being related to the content of the page to being related to who Google thinks you are. Hence while you see all that hard porn and wealth management stuff I'm into stair lifts and saga holidays. The advertisers have also decided to have more 'wobbly dog' type stuff which puts me off but is obviously what works with those still in nappies.
Is it worth it? STF is not a commercial venture and there is no profit to be made from these ads. They do provide an opportunity for local companies to reach a local audience but few do despite my encouragement. The few bob they do make does compensate for some of the costs and time it takes to sweep Vance Miller's wretched kitchens into oblivion.
I'd rather that then start charging loyal contributors for premium access as some forums do. Of course if you would like to slip me a share of your recent eurolottery winnings I may change my mind ....
admin wrote:
Google has changed the selection of adverts from being related to the content of the page to being related to who Google thinks you are. Hence while you see all that hard porn and wealth management stuff I'm into stair lifts and saga holidays.
I'm currently getting 'Genealogy: vital records', 'Unbeatable flight deals', 'Solar panel grants' and 'Equity release calculator' - only one of which is of the remotest interest to me.
I don't see any because I installed Google AdBlock a couple of years ago. So far it's blocked 830,845 adverts so I get peace on everything I choose to visit.
rod taylor wrote:I meant that the adverts seem to have sound now (when you're home alone and suddenly hear a disembodied voice it is quite creepy). Is that new?
I've never heard a STF advert and my speakers are switched on. Noisy ads are a real turn off for me - my mouse goes straight to the 'kill tab' button. Anybody else hearing these?
As an aside I have elsewhere been attacked for inserting ads in websites where there were none. It turned out a trojan PC browser extension was maliciously inserting ads into plain text. On STF the only place an ad should appear is at the bottom. It will be one of two types:
1) On discussion pages - a rectangular Google ad
2) On index pages - an ad by lined 'Supporting Sydenham' for (cough) us!
Whilst reading about Childhood Heroes in Town Café, an advert lurking at the bottom of the page sprang to life referring to constipation and "it feeling like carrying around a bag of poo" - advertising senna pods as a method of solving the problem....
admin wrote:
A couple of things have happened in recent years. Google has changed the selection of adverts from being related to the content of the page to being related to who Google thinks you are. Hence while you see all that hard porn and wealth management stuff I'm into stair lifts and saga holidays. The advertisers have also decided to have more 'wobbly dog' type stuff which puts me off but is obviously what works with those still in nappies.
Admin
I've just taken a tour around STF and checked out the ads and every single one was directly related to the content of the STF page, rather than the internet habits of my household. So I've cleared my husband of all charges.
Last edited by marymck on 22 Mar 2014 11:57, edited 1 time in total.
and less strangely about donating to Médecins Sans Frontières.