Today I was checking out a blog that is new to me (On The Refrigerator Door) and I saw this ad-Free BLOG button on the sidebar. Well, of course it caught my attention. You all know how I feel about ads, giveaways, product reviews and follow me and I'll follow you, etc. So I clicked through and this is what I found:
So how about you? What are your feelings about advertising on blogs? Do you use ads? Why or why not?
As always, all opinions and views are welcome here on Pam's Perspective. I just ask that all comments being respectful and kind. No nasty or inflammatory remarks will be tolerated. As I've said before, I have a delete button and I'm not afraid to use it. ;)
By using this icon on my website I am stating...
1. That I am opposed to the use of corporate advertising on blogs.
2. That I feel the use of corporate advertising on blogs devalues the medium.
3. That I do not accept money in return for advertising space on my blog.
2. That I feel the use of corporate advertising on blogs devalues the medium.
3. That I do not accept money in return for advertising space on my blog.
Amen! There is even more information in a Frequently Asked Questions link in which the founder of this movement explains his/her philosophy about advertising pervading life in general. It's very interesting, but what speaks to me the most is those three points listed above. Especially #2, which states my feelings very succinctly and very well. Advertising devalues blogging, in my opinion. The fact that I feel this way probably means I'll never have thousands of followers or hundreds of page views a day. And as much as I'd love to have loads of comments and visitors every day, I'm not willing to sell my soul compromise my integrity to accomplish that.
I realize that I may offend some you by stating this. Please know that that is not my intention. I am a firm believer in "to each his own". I read and enjoy bloggers who do use advertising, giveaways and product reviews on their blogs. The reason I am sharing this is not to bash anyone, but because I know that many of you feel the same way and I wanted to share this "movement" with you. Just like when I went Award Free and joined the Blog Guilt Free Revolution all those months ago, I don't expect everyone to agree with me. And I may lose followers over this, but it's something I feel strongly about for my blog and I wanted to share it with like minded bloggers.
So how about you? What are your feelings about advertising on blogs? Do you use ads? Why or why not?
As always, all opinions and views are welcome here on Pam's Perspective. I just ask that all comments being respectful and kind. No nasty or inflammatory remarks will be tolerated. As I've said before, I have a delete button and I'm not afraid to use it. ;)
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18 comments:
Thanks for stopping by and noticing that button!
I can't stand stopping by a blog and having ads flashing in my face. I'm there to see what they have to say and not to look at ads.
The worst part is when there are ads at the top where I expect to finds a little personal info or insight into the blog I'm looking at.
Some blogs do use ads in a tasteful way, but most do not.
(BTW I finished People of the Book the other week and loved it!)
Pam -- I agree with you, but our blog is so little that it doesn't mean much that we don't have ads. But I hate to go to one that has them.
I was very vocal against ads for the longest time. Then I had an ad company contact me, and I thought, "why not?". I gave it a try...and so far the most I've made in one month has been about $4. FOUR DOLLARS! I said I'd give it about six months, and that time is almost up....and I'll probably take them down.
I'm not necessary against ads on blogs, unless they are flashy, overwhelming or cause the page to load more slowly. I don't have ads on my blog simply because I don't feel it's right for me at this time -- not because I'm against them.
As a reporter, I understand advertising is sometimes necessary to support a medium -- just look at newspapers. And, as long as they are controlled and appropriate, I think they are fine.
I think it's great that you are taking a stand. Each to his/her own. I prefer to read blogs that don't try to sell me something too, but I understand that everyone needs more income these days.
I had to go Award Free, too. Couldn't keep up. And there were blogs that never even commented on my blog at all that were giving me award, hoping that I would mention their blog. It felt fake.
As for ads, I'm okay with them as long as there is content on the blog, too. I have started doing some reviews and giveaways on my blog. Though, I'm seriously considering moving all of that stuff to a separate blog and just having a link to that on my regular blog. I started blogging because I wanted to write. I don't really see it as selling out, though. It's nice to have some extra things for my kids and for me. And, I have turned down some companies where their products were not a fit for me or the readers of my blog. So, I won't take just anything.
I did sign up with a company to do text ads on my blog. But, something small on the sidebar for a set fee a month- I really don't feel like it's too distracting from what I write. :)
I'm with you Pam. I'm so far ad-free and whatnot, but I'll eventually have some book reviews on there...but I don't consider that advertising really :) cause books are cool, haha.
But yea, not a huge fan of the commercial blogs :)
You know I agree with you so I don't even have to start listing all the reasons here! :-) I just wanted to say thanks for the link to that site! I look forward to checking it out and adding that cute button to my blog!
I'm not a big fan of ads, either. I ignore them when I see them on other blogs, and I would never use them on my own.
As a freelance writer, I'm concerned about devaluing all online writing. There's been a disturbing trend the past few years - fewer and fewer online venues paying writers for content because there are so many amateur writers willing to work for free - and because online readers expect to read for free. Also, a bunch of content mills have sprung up - they pay $5 - $15 for a 500-word article that requires extensive research and multiple sources. It's getting tougher to earn a living as a writer. Unfortunately, ads seem like one of the few avenues in the future that will provide some income to websites to allow them to pay writers for their content. It's a complex issue.
But I agree blogs should be commercial-free. Otherwise, how can you trust what's written?
Sue
I think that there is a line. I don't mind seeing ads, reviews, and giveaways-I do them myself-so long as they are tasteful and aren't the focus of the blog and no one is trying to sell me anything. I think it's paid posts and 'robot comments' (comments that people post over and over again on every blog they come across containing links to their blog) bother me more than a few links or pictures in the sidebar-but that's just me =)
Ads are a big turn off when visiting a blog. Doesn't mean I won't stay and read, but everything else has to be better to make up for the ads.
I'll never advertise on my blog. I couldn't stand it if it was more than a hobby. I blog because I feel like I have something to say.
When I began blogging a year ago I didn't even know 'monetizing' existed. Quite honestly I haven't really even paid any attention to it because that was certainly not anything I was interested in. But I do know that when I come across a blog which has lots of ads I seldom spend much time there usually because I can't find the posts without weeding through the ads, giveaways, etc.
I agree with you. I'm a writer/journalist by trade. I got into blogging to express myself through writing and reading other blogs for content. Advertising by itself is not bad. Where I have a problem is people that started blogging just for the sake of making money. To me, that goes against the nature.
I agree about the ad-free blogging. I don't have them on my blog and don't intend to.
I am also a firm believer in the "to each his own" ideology. My concern with that button is that it kind of comes across as saying, "I'm better than you because I have a button that tells everyone I don't make money, as opposed to your button that does."
But I do agree that advertising has gotten out of hand.
At the moment, I don't have any advertising on my blog - primarily because I don't use adverts on other blogs (or pay attention to them in any other media!) so I would feel hypocritical. But on the other hand, I will recommend products that I *really* love, with or without the consent of the company involved. So I guess I'm not allowed to sign up for this one - but I totally understand your decision to do so.
Blogging isn't about the money for me, it's about building a place to share, connect and learn about myself. I'm so glad you introduced us to this, I'm definitely going to go and check it out.
I don't "monetize" and didn't even know what the heck it meant for a while after I started blogging. I don't mind ads on blogs when they're not crazy blinkies and distractions, though. To each their own, indeed.
I also don't really do giveaways. Or product reviews, but ... I have started being contacted for certain things, and so I figured, what the heck? Sometimes it's nice to have a little something just for you, and all you have to do is write up something honest about it. My latest has been books, I have people contacting me and if I am truly interested in the book, I'm happy to give it a go and give an honest update for what I think and how it made me feel. Haven't reviewed any yet, but one is on my list. I feel OK about that, as I spend hundreds of $ monthly on books, and I know many who do, so why not give 'em away for free? ;) Plus I'm helping people do their jobs, too. And, uh, OK, I'm rationalizing some, but why not? I'm just a small blogger in NC who looks for stuff to keep me busy!
I stopped by from Good Girl Gone Redneck to check you out. I don't advertise on my blog. What's the point? I've never clicked on a link from someone else's blog. Am I really going to order from 1-800-FLOWERS because I saw it on a blog? I don't read blogs to do my shopping! I will say, though, that the ads don't bother me at all - they are easy for me to tune out.
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