Ads on blog: an update
I have been paying attention to reader comments on ads on the blog, especially ones about dubious and inapplicable ads.
This is my plan: I’m going to let the ads run for a month, because that’s Google’s minimum payment period. I’ll see what, if anything, that brings in. I’ll report on that when it’s done, and then decide whether to keep doing this, or change to a Patreon or other system.
Thanks all for your patience.
Nicolas Kruchten 16:06 on 2019-01-03 Permalink
I’ve not used Patreon in the past, but if you choose to use it, I’ll sign up same-day.
SMD 18:11 on 2019-01-03 Permalink
Same here.
TC 22:06 on 2019-01-03 Permalink
What is a Patreon?
Kate 23:43 on 2019-01-03 Permalink
TC, I’ve never used it, but the website should explain.
JaneyB 10:17 on 2019-01-04 Permalink
Not seeing any ads at all. I’m using Adblock and uBlock Origin browser extensions. Ublock Origin tells me it’s blocking google ads.
Chris 12:39 on 2019-01-04 Permalink
Interestingly, Patreon is currently in a censorship scandal, and many users are fleeing it.
Tee Owe 13:05 on 2019-01-04 Permalink
For what it’s worth I prefer ads to a tip jar. Tip jars encourage comparisons between tippers, like who deserves the blog more – whereas ads are user-neutral – just an opinion
Bill Binns 13:46 on 2019-01-04 Permalink
@Tee Owe – I seriously doubt Kate would publish a list of the best tippers or publicly shame people for not tipping. The blog has been around for 17 years with nothing more aggressive than an occasional Amazon wish-list sitting on the sidebar.
Personally, I would vote for both. It would be cool if whatever method brought in enough shekels that Kate could branch out a little and write some of her own stuff (like restaurant reviews or opinion pieces on current events) rather than just linking to news stories.
@Chris – I kind of despise Patreon for their ambiguous enforcement but Kate is extremely unlikely to anger the university based lefty SJW mobs that initiate Patreon’s censorship pogroms.
EmilyG 15:06 on 2019-01-04 Permalink
I already use Patreon to donate money to a few people/artists. Always room for a few more.
Tee Owe 15:37 on 2019-01-04 Permalink
@Bill Binns Agree totally with yr second paragraph.
Never occurred to me that Kate would pay attention – should have thought my comment through – sorry for any implication.
But I still see tipping as (potentially) discriminatory whereas ads – we all get ‘em. Don’t love them but if they pay the bills and allow better blogging then they do it in a spread-the-load way.
Tim F 19:38 on 2019-01-05 Permalink
My usual way of browsing your blog is through an RSS reader (Newsify) so I’m afraid I might not generate ad revenue for you.
However I will gladly, GLADLY support you on Patreon.
I’m sure I’ve said it at least once before in the ten or so years I’ve read your blog, but THANK YOU for the public service you provide here.