Google AdSense Ads
Submitted by jim on Tue, 05/25/2004 - 04:10
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In the ongoing quest to get Listology out of the red, I've added Google AdSense ads to the list pages. Donors will not see the ads. If you feel you are seeing the ads in error, please let me know. We'll give this a whirl for awhile and see how it goes. Hopefully this will a least put a dent in the overhead. Thanks!
Have you ever considered any sort of "identifier" for those members that have made contributions to cover the time they're here? Something very "low key"... just enough to kick in a little peer pressure. Perhaps a simple "star", "check mark" or even an "asterisk" next to their name in any of a variety of places on the site. Just an idea.
Yeah, I've been toying with that idea. Maybe I could give donor the option of uploading a little icon that would appear next to their posts or something.
I think you should set it up so the ideas of the people who donate convey more conviction and authority. I mean that as a joke, BTW. :-)
I think there would be some benefit to flagging those people who have donated in some way, shape or form. I'm not talking about handing out real numbers or anything. But if someone knows that three of the listologists that he respects has donated and he hasn't maybe he would be tempted to throw in a few bucks.
It would also be cool if what ever that designation was that you wouldn't have to go to some special place to see it. I think it would be much better if it was displayed with the donator's username wherever their name was displayed in site, e.g. on their comments, on their lists, in the recent updates box, etc.
Maybe some sort of additional atring appended to their username like "(d)", e.g. "AAA (d)", "jim (d)", "dgeiser13 (d)", etc. I'm afraid that if you did a purely visual change like raising the font size on the usernames of visirors or changing the font color or adding a superscript or subscript it might go unnoticed. And you might even be able to make each "(d)" be a link back to the donation page.
Yeah, I should do something along these lines, certainly. The trick is in allowing people to be anonymous donors if they want. So then I'd have to decide if I should highlight donors somehow by default, and make folks turn off the highlighting, or not highlight donors by default and make them turn it on. The latter probably, for privacy reasons.
Possibly one more trick... not alienating the older members who at one time paid their way to a high spot in the "Listology Hall of Fame", but for whatever reason(s)... have now moved on leaving their great work behind for others to enjoy.
One last thing, why would anyone choose to be an anonymous donor? I honestly can't think of one reason. If there is one that I'm not aware of and it's allowed to be used, this entire idea of members being identified as contributors or not would seem null and void. Thoughts?
Yeah, maybe I'll just put up an honorary icon and wait to see if anybody complains.
So do I expire donor icons, or do I leave them in place forever? Currently I hide the ads from donors to the tune of one month/dollar.
I'm not sure what you're getting at in your first paragraph: are you suggesting I retire Hall of Famers that have moved on to greener pastures?
I guess my last post was sort of from a "devils advocate" point of view. I just put the quandary out there for you to consider. I know I'm the one who brought up the idea of signifying contributors vs. non-contributors, but then I realized it might be a dishonor NOT to distinguish those formerly active Hall of Famers who during their most productive period DID donate to the site during their stay.
I wouldn't dare suggest anyone's removal from the Hall of Fame just for running out of ideas. Nor would I make the jump of saying that anyone left to move on to "greener pastures" (your words). I just wanted to inject that one extra point and perhaps help you on your way to a final decision.
That's all cool, and feel free to dare to suggest anything you want. As for the folks that have moved on, I certainly hope they've left for greener pastures because I wouldn't wish the alternative on anyone. :-)
Jim, do you know if clicking on the ads will make your sponsors pay you more for the space? If so, I'd gladly click on them to help you out.
Actually, I only get paid for clicks. So click away! I don't think I'm supposed to artificially inflate clicks by constantly asking people to click links (and Google does cancel you for such artificial click-inflation), but since you asked... :-)
But, Jim, we can't click on them if we don't see them!!!
I appreciate your willingness to help, but I've turned off ads for donors, at the rate of one month/dollar. So continue to enjoy Listology ad-free! :-)
Sorry to see you were finally forced to place some "ads" on the site Jim. I remember how much you hoped you'd never have to do that. Good luck.
Thanks! I do hope it works out. Not sure what my next idea will be if this also falls short. Time will tell.