dhjgreen 1,049 Posted August 10 Is anyone else seeing random ads in the middle of posts, not all posts but very distracting. 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Neil 5,092 Posted August 10 Yes I'm getting them too, in particular one for a gadget labelled 'xtra-PC'. I have an ad blocker on both the PC and laptop I use but have disabled both for RMweb as I understand that the advertising revenue helps fund the forum. I'm not getting any security alert so I expect that they're kosher but I thought it worth a mention just in case something untoward is going on. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AY Mod 6,687 Posted August 10 The IT dept have been migrating to a new ad-serving platform and there are some things which need sorting out still. Steve and I are discussing. 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dhjgreen 1,049 Posted August 10 (edited) 5 hours ago, Neil said: Yes I'm getting them too, in particular one for a gadget labelled 'xtra-PC'. I have an ad blocker on both the PC and laptop I use but have disabled both for RMweb as I understand that the advertising revenue helps fund the forum. I'm not getting any security alert so I expect that they're kosher but I thought it worth a mention just in case something untoward is going on. 1 hour ago, Nelson Jackson said: Removed by Admin I do not want to remove all ads thanks, I am happy with the site funding model. Edited August 10 by AY Mod Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Kernow 20,952 Posted August 10 57 minutes ago, dhjgreen said: I do not want to remove all ads thanks, I am happy with the site funding model. I don't mind official, authorised and legitimate model railway-related ones, but I loathe all others with a passion. If I want advertising, I'll watch ITV, thanks. And I don't believe Google when they say, 'we'll try not to show that ad again'. They're lying barstewards. 3 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rab 813 Posted August 10 29 minutes ago, Captain Kernow said: And I don't believe Google when they say, 'we'll try not to show that ad again'. They're lying barstewards. I would have thought a barsteward would have to be standing up, in order to carry out their duties. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuffinghell 3,469 Posted August 10 (edited) I used to have it set to the old version on my phone without the ads, this option appears to have been removed its not too bad on a PC but the ads take over half the screen on a phone Edited August 10 by chuffinghell 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AY Mod 6,687 Posted August 10 11 minutes ago, chuffinghell said: this option appears to have been removed Yes, because someone thought he was being clever (as he often does) drawing attention to it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuffinghell 3,469 Posted August 10 10 minutes ago, AY Mod said: Yes, because someone thought he was being clever (as he often does) drawing attention to it. Not guilty! I’m not that clever 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stubby47 20,202 Posted August 10 Ironic ad placement: 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dungrange 486 Posted August 10 2 minutes ago, Stubby47 said: Ironic ad placement: https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/monthly_2019_08/601151396_Screenshot_20190810-213507_SamsungInternet.jpg.56256e55d0ca16ea7fed8b10d522568c.jpg Yes, I got the same, an advert in Andy's post, although in my case it was for Honda. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnR 918 Posted August 11 Many adverts seem to be context sensitive, and picking up on browsing history. I'm getting a lot of them for tents at the moment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuffinghell 3,469 Posted August 11 17 hours ago, AY Mod said: Yes, because someone thought he was being clever (as he often does) drawing attention to it. I’d lost sight of the fact that the ads help towards funding the site which has been incredibly useful and I’ve had a lot of help and advice from fellow members With this in mind I’ve signed up to become a Gold member so I can continue to benefit from the help and encouragement the site provides I suppose I’d better change my avatar soon 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnR 918 Posted August 11 5 hours ago, JohnR said: Many adverts seem to be context sensitive, and picking up on browsing history. I'm getting a lot of them for tents at the moment. For instance, I am now seeing an advert for software to create an advert! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewC 11,115 Posted August 12 2 Malware Bytes warnings in the past hour. Adblocker re-enabled until the site's hosting company gets their shyte together. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi 159 Posted August 12 21 hours ago, chuffinghell said: With this in mind I’ve signed up to become a Gold member so I can continue to benefit from the help and encouragement the site provides I may be misunderstanding you here. Are you saying that Gold members get ad-free viewing? I quite like the banner ads that have always been shown - the ones strictly related to railway modelling, model shops, manufacturers etc. I presume those businesses pay for them? I regard those as useful, relevant and thoroughly justified. But the random (or supposedly) “targeted” Google ads are a very unwelcome intrusion. My understanding of their true marketing value to most companies is that any income they generate is more than offset by the business lost due to web site viewers put off by the incessant ads. People either use ad-blockers, or stop visiting Google-ads heavy sites. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AY Mod 6,687 Posted August 12 15 minutes ago, Kiwi said: I may be misunderstanding you here. Are you saying that Gold members get ad-free viewing? chuffinghell was actually doing it as a gesture of solidarity at that point over the weekend but I have taken steps this morning to eliminate the presence of the additional Google Ads for Gold members. They still see the trade ads; no-one's ever grumbled about those. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Enterprisingwestern 5,906 Posted August 12 5 minutes ago, AY Mod said: chuffinghell was actually doing it as a gesture of solidarity at that point over the weekend but I have taken steps this morning to eliminate the presence of the additional Google Ads for Gold members. They still see the trade ads; no-one's ever grumbled about those. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,yet. Mike. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi 159 Posted August 12 19 minutes ago, AY Mod said: chuffinghell was actually doing it as a gesture of solidarity at that point over the weekend but I have taken steps this morning to eliminate the presence of the additional Google Ads for Gold members. They still see the trade ads; no-one's ever grumbled about those. Interesting. Brings to mind an earlier tongue-in-cheek comment on the same subject (April) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AY Mod 6,687 Posted August 12 5 minutes ago, Kiwi said: Interesting. Brings to mind an earlier tongue-in-cheek comment on the same subject (April) I can assure you it wasn't any masterplan; that would involve planning. 1 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil Parker 6,872 Posted August 12 51 minutes ago, Kiwi said: My understanding of their true marketing value to most companies is that any income they generate is more than offset by the business lost due to web site viewers put off by the incessant ads. I'd be interested to see the research you are basing this on, assuming it's more than just a gut feeling. I'm interested for another project and you appear to have the numbers I need. Thanks in advance. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuffinghell 3,469 Posted August 12 (edited) 2 hours ago, Kiwi said: I may be misunderstanding you here. Are you saying that Gold members get ad-free viewing? My joining was nothing to do with ads, it was more about giving something back as I have found RMWeb and its members very helpful and friendly My apologies if my previous post was misleading Plus I wanted to contribute to the BRM team's Christmas party (joke!) Edited August 12 by chuffinghell 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Talltim 2,424 Posted August 12 What I find interesting is that I never clear my cookies or hide my browsing trail in any way yet the ‘targeted’ Google ads I get here are distinctly not targeted. Eg the last one was for becoming a nail technician! Not relevant for me or (I suspect) a far higher proportion of the forum than the average of the population. You’d have thought they’d be a bit more sophisticated by now 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AY Mod 6,687 Posted August 12 3 minutes ago, chuffinghell said: Plus I wanted to contribute to the BRM team's Christmas party https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/emoticons/default_tongue.png (joke!) I'll mention to Steve tomorrow that this is ring-fenced crowd-funding. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi 159 Posted August 12 2 hours ago, Phil Parker said: I'd be interested to see the research you are basing this on, assuming it's more than just a gut feeling. I'm interested for another project and you appear to have the numbers I need. Thanks in advance. That’s a bit like asking a lawyer for an opinion. Ask enough of them and your bound to find the one that gives you the answer you want. However, a typical reference regarding web hosting and ads might be this one: http://blog.hostbaby.com/2014/06/1-reason-put-ads-site-5-reasons/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
