Meta: Ads-be-gone
I’ve just suspended Google ads for the moment. I don’t think I should be profiting, in however minimal a way, from COVID-19, but it was also that I personally get waves of disgusting ads and if I don’t want to see them, I’m sure no reader does either. (I realize the ads are tailored to what else people are looking at, but I can’t figure out why Google has been showing me huge banners about earwax lately. Not a topic I’ve been researching.)
I may eventually put up a Patreon to help pay for the blog’s expenses, but not now.
The Google ads did pay for my server account and a bit over, by the way – but it’s been at the expense of making the blog a lot uglier and harder to look at. I don’t want that.
Thanks all for your patience.
dwgs 10:31 on 2020-03-21 Permalink
Earwax must be a thing, I’ve been seeing a lot of them too. Throw up the Patreon already, you already put in the time, no reason you should be out of pocket as well.
Michael Black 10:50 on 2020-03-21 Permalink
I’ve seen the earwax ads too, and I’ve done nothing to attract them.
Maybe there are some ads that are used as filler.
But yes, generally ads follow you around, it’s not that amazon can read my mind.
Bill Binns 11:56 on 2020-03-21 Permalink
Just my 2 cents but I don’t mind the ads. I have always felt that having some ads sprinkled throughout good content is a small price to pay in exchange for receiving that content for free. There are limits of course such as pop up video ads but I’m not seeing anything like that on your site.
I don’t think it’s a bad idea but I get a chuckle out of the thought of you going to Patreon. Will there be blue check marks for donating commenters? Exclusive content? Access to all 17 years of archives?
No earwax ads for me. A few weeks ago my wife asked me to track down a certain model of Ray-Ban sunglasses for her. Now I see Ray-Ban ads absolutely everywhere. Number two is scam homeopathic cures for toenail fungus. An affliction I have never suffered from, researched online or clicked on ever. Still they follow me everywhere.
Ephraim 11:59 on 2020-03-21 Permalink
Kate – Your expenses haven’t stopped. Don’t worry about the ads and profiting from them. I certainly won’t judge you or anyone else for it… and I’m pretty sure most readers won’t either.
Tee Owe 12:25 on 2020-03-21 Permalink
I’m with Bill and Ephraim on this – ad are everywhere, I filter them out, they’re not a problem. I appreciate having direct click-and-enter access to the blog and I prefer to have as few pay details on line as possible, however it works, Love the blog, thanks!
PO 12:27 on 2020-03-21 Permalink
None of the ads have ever struck me as clickbait or chumbox style nonsense. I don’t mind. Your blog is valuable, and nothing wrong with you having ads to support it.
Alison Cummins 12:47 on 2020-03-21 Permalink
Earwax and toenail fungus are very small prices to pay for this site.
You are not profiting from covid-19, you are profiting from your labours and specialized expertise.
And yes, do put up a patreon too. Subscribers get a green tickmark against their comments. Righteousness is its own reward.
Kevin 12:48 on 2020-03-21 Permalink
Listen to your users and put the ads back up Kate!
😀
Alison Cummins 14:46 on 2020-03-21 Permalink
… but just because we can tolerate earwax and toenail fungus it doesn’t mean you should if you don’t want to. This is your workplace and you have a right to keep it clean and inoffensive.
Do put up that Patreon.
Kate 16:14 on 2020-03-21 Permalink
Oh, you got the toenail fungus too? There were also some nasty views of mold in houses that I was getting awhile back. I had to log in and shut those down.
I will fix things up shortly.
Patrick 16:53 on 2020-03-21 Permalink
Since I mostly read via RSS, I would be first in line to pay via Patreon.
Hervé 17:02 on 2020-03-21 Permalink
I would definitely support you on Patreon
GC 19:38 on 2020-03-21 Permalink
I also read via RSS, so I generally wasn’t seeing the ads. I did try to follow through to the site once in a while, however, because I figured the ads weren’t paying off for you if I wasn’t visiting the actual site.
I’d say do whatever you want to keep this great service alive. Ads, Patreon…and the two aren’t mutually exclusive.
JP 21:53 on 2020-03-21 Permalink
Kate, I very much enjoy your blog. I visit at least once daily, and when I’m out of town I love catching up. It’s also nice to read comments from your regulars, I’d be fine with ads and/or a Patreon. Thanks!
JaneyB 23:31 on 2020-03-21 Permalink
I’m fine with either or both (ads or patreon, not earwax and toe fungus!). Also, now that I think of it, wasn’t there an Amazon wishlist on this site once upon a time? If Amazon has nixed that, could there be a link to such a list somewhere on this site?