Naked Science Forum
General Discussion & Feedback => Just Chat! => Topic started by: chris on 19/01/2009 15:51:21
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Hello everyone - just to let you know that we are experimenting at the moment with some adverts served by Google.
We welcome your feedback regarding this initiative.
Chris
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How much control do you have over what appears in the ad box?
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Hello everyone - just to let you know that we are experimenting at the moment with some adverts served by Google.
We welcome your feedback regarding this initiative.
Chris
Who was it said the other day that this would happen soon?
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Who was it said the other day that this would happen soon?
Maybe it was in that Nostradamus topic!
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Well, I hate the one on the right hand side! I hate all google ads but this one ruins the layout of the page, not only that but viewing the forum on a mobile / cell phone / pda or ipod is a horrible experience now. The content is too squashed up to make room for the advert!
The banner above this quick reply box is live with-able as it does not distract from the page content, but the one on the right hand side...well, I just had to log in to voice my displeasure...
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I cannot see nything new on my phone screen?
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I no longer consciously see ads on web pages anymore. I do resent the bandwidth wasted on downloading them, but not enough to make a fuss over.
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There must be something wrong because I see no ad for my website. We make rings ewe know !! ?
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There must be something wrong because I see no ad for my website. We make rings ewe know !! ?
What, by design?
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Why make rings and waste your time having a proper job, simply follow one of the ghastly links on the right and you could be on your way to a fortune.
Such as this:
"HOW I EARN £14,576.92 PER MONTH!"
Award Winning Entrepreneur Reveals His Proven Secrets of How
He Makes a Combined Average of £14,576.92 EVERY MONTH - Guaranteed !!!
and how I do it working less than 2 hours per day
If this was posted on the forum by a "newbie" would the admin or moderators be removing the post?
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There must be something wrong because I see no ad for my website. We make rings ewe know !! ?
What, by design?
Yes, yes ...By Design !!
Whilst posting my balloon question I was invited to join a Brazilian Dating Site !!
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Neil - tell us more about your rings
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The reason why we are experimenting with this, is that the naked scientists costs about a hundred thousand a year to run, and we give away all of our products, which means that we will get very hungry when our grant money runs out. (and therefore probably too weak to make any more podcasts ;)
I have to say I am not too keen on the get rich quick schemes, though there is a minor difference from the ones in the forum - the ones in the ads are at least (in theory) paying for the privilege so they are at least giving something back.
Your point about narrow displays is a very good one through, I will see what I can do about detecting this and moving the adds to a less annoying place.
With any luck, feedback and a few iterations, we will be able to get to a sweet spot where we can support some of the costs without being too annoying.
thanks
Dave
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I don't like the sideways ones either but at least they don't flash! I think we should shy away from ads if possible but needs must when the devil drives. I do science shows, by the way with a creative element. Turn left here Mr Devil.
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Neil - tell us more about your rings
LOL !!
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This is strange but has anyone else noticed that the ads change depending on the page content. Are they watching us?
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This is strange but has anyone else noticed that the ads change depending on the page content. Are they watching us?
Ads surrounding your posts should prove fun !!
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Has anyone used the scrolly thing ?..on the advert boxy thing ?
I just did and I'm really happy now !!
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This is strange but has anyone else noticed that the ads change depending on the page content. Are they watching us?
Of course they change. That's how the ads get targeted. The page is scanned and appropriate ads loaded depending on what the user is reading about.
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This is strange but has anyone else noticed that the ads change depending on the page content. Are they watching us?
This is precisely the point - they are contextual ads, selected based on page content; in this way they should be more relevant to the needs of users, rather than merely an annoyance.
As a thread "matures" and develops more content with a unifying theme so we should see the ads that accompany that thread become more focused.
This is an initial trial to see how the process performs.
Chris
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It'll be interesting to see what ads come up in some of these threads [;D]
Hey - if a page is all about Google ads, what ads will show? [???]
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Of course they change. That's how the ads get targeted. The page is scanned and appropriate ads loaded depending on what the user is reading about.
Its pretty clever, very clever actually.
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Why do I get the Brazilian dating one ..I just got it again !
Does it know that I shave my joy dept ?
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Ads have become a nescessary evil in the web world, unless you are a company with money to spend.
As long as it helps to pay the bills, I'm fine with them.
Have you thought about setting up a tip yar? Perhaps you can even make donations tax deductable.
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This is strange but has anyone else noticed that the ads change depending on the page content. Are they watching us?
Yep. If you use googlemail they also read your emails to target the ads.
This is the advert I'm getting at the moment on the Naked Science Forum page...
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If I want to join do I have to have a "Brazilian" (waxing) ? [:0]
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They can read your e-mails [:0][:0][:0][:0]???
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Apparently they can even monitor the odours in your home: this is the advert I got a few minutes ago ...
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Sorry, it was the curry. [:)]
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Quite funny - I just visited the "How to pass a lie detector test QotW" thread and the top add was "Earn £14,000 a week..." !!!
Chris
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Next thing they'll be tapping your phones!
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I did not even notice the ads until a post appeared about "offensive weapons". Now I check them very carefully. Every single one.
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Next thing they'll be tapping your phones!
You just wait until they have figured out how to focus sound so tightly that they can target you while you are walking in the mall. You will be bombarded with voice advertisements tailored to your interests as long as they know who you are.
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They can read your e-mails [:0][:0][:0][:0]???
Google claims that they do not "read" your e-mails in the sense of a person reading them. They have software that looks for certain keywords and shows ads that are related to the suspected content in your google mail conversations. That is what they say at least. That is what I remember reading at least.
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You just wait until they have figured out how to focus sound so tightly that they can target you while you are walking in the mall. You will be bombarded with voice advertisements tailored to your interests as long as they know who you are.
Don't they have that kind of technology now? Like a laser speaker if you know I mean?
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I did not even notice the ads until a post appeared about "offensive weapons".
The Google ads on this forum only appeared after I started the thread on "offensive weapons".
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They can read your e-mails [:0][:0][:0][:0]???
Google claims that they do not "read" your e-mails in the sense of a person reading them. They have software that looks for certain keywords and shows ads that are related to the suspected content in your google mail conversations. That is what they say at least. That is what I remember reading at least.
Is is just Google doing it? What other companies are doing it ('reading' your messages)? I suppose it is also for security, so if words like bomb and Al-Qaeda pop up you'll have the cops at your doorstep to deal with [:0]
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The Google ads on this forum only appeared after I started the thread on "offensive weapons".
I suppose it is also for security, so if words like bomb and Al-Qaeda pop up you'll have the cops at your doorstep to deal with [:0]
They might be going off the charts now!![:o][:o][:o]
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Anyone know what this is supposed to mean? [???]
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Since when did they start having ads on You-tube? Like actually right on the bit where you are watching it? I just noticed it about 2 minutes ago [???][???][???]
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Oh gosh, things are getting crazier by the minute! [:0]
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Now that you've removed your post RD, it doesn't make sense!
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TNS / Google advert ...
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Is this what an Muslim mail-order bride catalog looks like ? ... [:)]
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Anyone know what this is supposed to mean? [???]
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C4M - Every year (it seems) the US has a lottery for Green Cards to gain residence / citizen status. I guess that this is what the ad is for.
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Ah, okay, that explain it. Cheers [:)]
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Apparently google even monitor emoticon use: because of the frequent use of the shock emoticon [:0] in this thread I'm now getting google ads which incorporate the word "shock", e.g. shock-proof watches.
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[:0] in this thread I'm now getting google ads which incorporate the word "shock", e.g. shock-proof watches.
My gosh, are you serious??? [:0][:0][:0]
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Now creationist adverts ... [V]
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(in a different TNS thread)
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Glad to hear that! [;D] I'm still getting boring ones about podcasts or something. [|)] [|)]
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Glad to hear that! [;D] I'm still getting boring ones about podcasts or something. [|)] [|)]
The creationist ad appeared in this thread (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=19629.msg218997#new),
(where you attempted to fudge the incompatibility of geological and biblical time scales).
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Well if what you've said about them scanning the messages and whatever else is true, and I have no reason to believe that they aren't, then those knid of ads would hardly be surprising. Do you think anyone is going to click one of those ads some day?
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In my opinion creationism is antithetical to science.
To promote creationism on a science education website is at best absurd, at worst counterproductive.
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I agree - I'll look into how much filtering power we have. Please bear in mind that this is a test period, so hopefully we'll have these things ironed out soon.
I'm now expecting adverts for irons and ironing boards...
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I started the Tortoise First forum with Freeforums. Google Adsense placed ads according to the key words in the forum. In this case the word ‘Tortoise’ was singled out by Adsense.
Google Adsense paid for the forum in its early days. The forum is now free from these ads because removal of Adsense is paid for.
The Google Adsense here appears to be a somewhat more advanced version which picks out key words not from those in the forum’s name and description, but from the individual posts. Take a look at my thread on exotic pets http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=19519.0 (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=19519.0) What you will notice is that the ads are contrary to the subject of the thread.
This was the reason for going ‘adsense free’ with the Tortoise First Forum. From the very beginning of the forum’s inauguration I declared the forum would be opposed to the practices of unscrupulous pet traders:-
This forum is dedicated to the welfare of both captive & wild Tortoises.
The forum does not promote or encourage the keeping of tortoises, but rather to make prospective keepers aware of the special needs of these animals and the necessity upon them to provide such. Please see 'Our Aims'. It is also intended to be a contact point for those who do keep Tortoises’ to exchange knowledge and experience and friendship in order that we can all learn how to care for our shelled friends better.
It shall also be the forum’s aim to prevent, by way of education, the capture of wild Tortoises and the import of Tortoises into the UK for the fulfilment of demand by the pet trade. Many of these imported tortoises being of dubious origin and frequently transported in such poor conditions, that many do not survive the journey. The forum therefore supports the Tortoise Protection Group, The Tortoise Trust and the British Chelonia Group.
The forum does not approve of exhibitions, shows, markets or similar events, to which live tortoises are transported for the purpose of showing or selling to either the trade or the public.
With such a forum it was inappropriate to have Google Adsense placing ads for traders selling Tortoise’s over the internet. One such company, well known to many in the world of Chelonia, and the subject of a BBC exposé, appeared on our forum. Doubtless if a thread opposed to whaling were to be started here, businesses selling Whale bone and meat would get their ads placed on the thread if it were viewed in Japan. Not exactly a fitting advert for such a thread.
As I understand it, Adsense can pick up national identity; therefore, the ads seen in one country may differ from those in another. Adsense cannot, however, pick up on sentiment, only subject words. Adsense is an automated system. The Administrators and Moderators of a forum displaying Adsense ads do not have the ability to screen out any ads which might be considered offensive and/or contrary to the subject matter of the forum/thread.
I am not sure whether Adsense would cause many problems with this forum. As daveshorts has said, running the forum is costly. This is a means to reduce that cost and give us all a forum to play with. Look upon it as ‘junk mail’ coming through your letterbox. What do you do with that? If you find it relevant and useful you keep it and use it. If it is the usual tripe, you ignore it and bin it.
I would, however, suggest being careful with your choice of words in some of those threads which turn a tad on the risqué side, we don’t want too many, ah em, er, shall we say, naughty ads. I think you know what I mean. ‘Firripino* message* etc etc.’
*Deliberate misspelling to throw off Google Adsense.
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I'm glad that you all understand why we're doing this, even if it is a little unsightly and often silly (such as the fact that there are now adverts for steam irons on this page, as predicted).
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Maybe the word "Naked" is responsible for attracting the sex (dating) adverts ?.
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Maybe the word "Naked" is responsible for attracting the sex (dating) adverts ?.
RD - I see that you have trimmed this thread - did you not like your hypothesis?
Expecting razors now, perhaps?
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It appears that I can do a 'Google' myself [:o]
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Absolutely free! [:o] [:o]
I'm coming to get you *spooky ghost music plays in the background* [:o] [:o] [:o]
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Maybe the word "Naked" is responsible for attracting the sex (dating) adverts ?.
Didn't get any results with all those 'Nakeds'???
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I thought better of it: the current adverts are bad enough, I don't want to make matters worse.
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I thought better of it: the current adverts are bad enough, I don't want to make matters worse.
Fair play!
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As you can see, the mention of Tortoises and Google Adsense, has attracted ads for Tortoises and Google Adsense.
With this form of Adsense, we could manipulate the ads which appear here to some degree.
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I'm using IE7. If I enlarge the display, by pressing "Ctrl" and "+" keys,
the google ads on the right are cropped off ...
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The typeface does go a bit weird though. To shrink the display back down use "Ctrl" and "-" keys.
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When I checked Chris's "Happy Birthday to me" thread there was an ad for trips to the Guinness brewery in Dublin! [:D]
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I'm using Windows vista. If I enlarge the display, by pressing "Ctrl" and "+" keys,
the google ads on the right are cropped off ...
The typeface does go a bit weird though. To shrink the display back down use "Ctrl" and "-" keys.
You can also use "Ctrl" and scroll the wheel on the mouse to make the screen image larger or smaller.
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These guys aren't taking the piss, they're selling it ...
TNS/Google Ad
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They sell real or "artificial" (?) urine for $40 a time, for use to pass a drug test,
presumably for drug users who do not have any "clean" friends who could give them a sample.
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Why do I get the Brazilian dating one ..I just got it again !
Does it know that I shave my joy dept ?
I'm sure it is a shear delight!
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OK Chris, now they are flashing. I can cope with them if they don't move about but I really can't stand the ones that constantly change. I'll be getting a migraine, but at least if I mention migraine the adverts might suggest a cure.
I'm now thinking of interesting threads to post just to see which ads appear.
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Ben has now managed to provoke a deluge of ads dedicated to steam irons and trouser presses because he mentioned "ironing out" difficulties. Hilarious.
C
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Hey, the ads are gone!
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As they are obviously causing people problems, I have disabled the right band bar google ads (for the moment until we can find a way around the problems thery are causing) for anyone who is logged in. Hopefully we can come up with a way around this to everyone's satisfaction as soon as possible.
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I was too carried away to notice that the bottoms ones are still there, but still, it now looks a lot better!!!
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TNS / Google Ad...
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Here are some of the Most Fascinating Secrets you’ll Discover Inside:
How to apply Quantum Physics to Create Your PERFECT Reality.
How to Telekinetically Attract MONEY to you and become Very RICH!
How to use Psychic Influence on others to make them DO what you wish.
How to Miraculously Cure ALL SICKNESS and Diseases without Drugs.
How to be Highly Attractive and Desirable to members of the opposite sex.
Only $30.
[V]
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Might give that one a try! [;)] If I can find it that is...
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Might give that one a try! [;)] If I can find it that is...
The ultimate nature of reality is that it is mental.
http://www.mindreality.com/index.html?seed=quantum-physics
Anyone who coughs up $30 for this pseudoscientific crap must be "mental".
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I guess that makes me as mad as a hatter! [:o)] [:o)] [:o)]
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I'm using IE7. If I set the security level to high the Google ads do not appear on the TNS site.
This does cause some problems when posting to TNS though, e.g. TNS spellchecker is blocked
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I'm using IE7. If I set the security level to high the Google ads do not appear on the TNS site.
This does cause some problems when posting to TNS though, e.g. TNS spellchecker is blocked
Brilliant!!!!!! I just get the big ad at the bottom. Excellent job, RD!
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I'm using IE7. If I set the security level to high the Google ads do not appear on the TNS site.
This does cause some problems when posting to TNS though, e.g. TNS spellchecker is blocked
Brilliant!!!!!! I just get the big ad at the bottom. Excellent job, RD!
I don't get any ads, not even one at the bottom.
If you hit refresh, after you turn the security to high, all the ads disappear.
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Hmmn, no, I still get that one. But it's of no real consequence....
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So thankfully those who wish to deprive themselves of Google's excretions (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=19593.msg219125#msg219125) do have that option.
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I fancy some music themed adverts. I will have to blow Chris's trumpet for setting the right tone and noting our discomfort has cancelled the side bar. He didn't quaver from the responsibility. He has managed to stave off further criticism and has done it with his usual sharp wit. I hope his attempts to fund TNS wont fall flat. If it does I will personnally drop a piano on his head.
Lets see which ads come up now. I will be disappointed if I don't get some music based ads.
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How much would it cost to put a private ad here?
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What kind of services are you selling Beaver?
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It's just an idle enquiry
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Try e-mailing chris at thenakedscientists and ask him off list.
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I still can't look at Dave's avatar without chuckling [:D]
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We would much prefer to have specific ads on here from companies that we feel have something to offer on a science website, rather than relying on google's whim. But first we need to supply evidence to potential advertisers that it's worth it, hence running the google ad trial.
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Did you put that "worth it" strap line in for L'oreal?
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This could be back-firing - this is from a post from Chris
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I've been getting those since the beginning!
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As another experiment we are going to try some small text ads on the front page of the forum tomorrow. Hopefully they won't be too annoying.
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How many pageviews does thenakedscientists website get per month?
How many tens/hundreds of gigabytes downloaded per month (excluding podcast downloads)?
And how many podcast downloads?
Presumably the £100000 pa you quote to keep TheNakedScientists running covers an awful lot more than just the website?
Is the cost for hosting the podcast mp3s too high? There are various download companies (I'm thinking of akamai and/or AOL Radio) which may be able to offer cacheing services to lower such costs (I don't know the details, and have no commercial interest in either).
My experience from my sci/tech themed website has been that Google AdSense revenue is now less than a third of what it was at its peak about 3 years ago, despite no significant change in either my website content or its number of visitors (this might partly be that there were more naive advertisers back then bidding up the prices!).
With static pages you can of course "tweak" the pages to help generate the right kind of ads (not obsessively, because the ads continually change anyway - but if you detect a theme then something can be done). With the context of a forum this is much harder.
Overall, a revenue of perhaps $2 per 1000 pageviews might be in the ballpark for my whole site, although some individual pages yeild 2-3 times that and others much less.
Have you considered putting adverts within the podcast downloads (in place of the BBC Cambridgeshire travel or whatever)? Is geography a problem with this type of advertising?
What are the UK "rules" for adverts in podcasts? American podcasts often have the presenters "thanking their sponsors" and extolling the virtues of their products ... very un-British - and probably something that you'd particularly want to avoid in a science podcast which aims to be factual and unbiassed.
The podcast does however present opportunites for quite precisely targetted advertising - and potential higher revenue than general ads - if you can find the right (probably international) sponsor. Do you know much about the geographical spread of TNS podcast-downloads?
The twit.tv podcasts are entirely supported by advertising as far as I can make out.
Potential advertisers/sponsors of the programme obviously include any other public-communication-of-science body, but what about scientific book publishers - could you do a one-minute book-review/promotion per programme? You've got the targetted audience. And if the advertisement/promotion is relevant and not overdone, it won't upset people too much.
Have your recent audience-surveys revealed much about demographics? Although the programme is pitched at the interested non-specialist, it's so good (and so much better than most other "science" programming) that there must be quite a lot of real PhD-educated scientists who enjoy listening too. Are there any scientific-equipment manufacturers who might part-sponsor the programme?
Are there any other overseas broadcasters you could sell your weekly programme to?
Could someone like Prof Steve Jones (UCL) (media/public-understanding-of-science) suggest any more leads with regards to interested advertisers or broadcasters?
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Now there's unobtrusive ads, and there's adverts which really apologise for being there. [;)]
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I think this really is too insignificant for anyone to notice!
I reckon the "large leaderboard" (text-only) format is reasonably unobtrusive, but still big enough to be useful.
Google-targetting is much better than non-targetted ads, but it's still somewhat hit and miss. There's some evidence that Google pays more attention to keywords higher up the page - but I've also observed that certain words (and I'm not thinking anything rude or smutty) however irrelevant can have almost irristable draw on the ads, pulling them off-course.