Video Ads

[Anonymous]

The supplement ad is actually very funny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:I've just changed the video ads so that they only appear on the posts pages. Let's see how much screaming that elicits. I'm trying to find a compromise in which we use the ads but minimize the irritation.

What does that mean? Only on the pages with actual posts, not recent topics? I see them now (some weird supplement ad) as a popup when I clicked in this thread.

Is there a way to have the embedded videos without the popups? Or is that a lot less income?

That’s my question, too, because they were gone from the posts page via the last update.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:I've just changed the video ads so that they only appear on the posts pages. Let's see how much screaming that elicits. I'm trying to find a compromise in which we use the ads but minimize the irritation.

Is there a way to have the embedded videos without the popups? Or is that a lot less income?

This is a topic I am in discussions with our vender about. The vender doesn't want to disable the popup because that increase the viewability of the ad which is a key metric. If we remove the popup, viewability goes down and advertiser pay less. I'm willing to try without it and take the financial hit. But, there might be other issues because my understanding is that Google requires the pop-up. Google's rules about video ads are really strange and unpredictable. However, the person with whom I need to discuss this is off today. I may know more tomorrow.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:I've just changed the video ads so that they only appear on the posts pages. Let's see how much screaming that elicits. I'm trying to find a compromise in which we use the ads but minimize the irritation.

What does that mean? Only on the pages with actual posts, not recent topics? I see them now (some weird supplement ad) as a popup when I clicked in this thread.

Is there a way to have the embedded videos without the popups? Or is that a lot less income?

That’s my question, too, because they were gone from the posts page via the last update.

I completely reversed the last update. I removed them from the main forum page, recent topics, hot topics, and the forum pages that list threads. They are only on threads now and only then if there is more than one post.

[Anonymous]

I’m fine with the ads but I would like to take the time here to wish Keanu Reeves a belated Happy Birthday 🥳

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:I've just changed the video ads so that they only appear on the posts pages. Let's see how much screaming that elicits. I'm trying to find a compromise in which we use the ads but minimize the irritation.

Is there a way to have the embedded videos without the popups? Or is that a lot less income?

This is a topic I am in discussions with our vender about. The vender doesn't want to disable the popup because that increase the viewability of the ad which is a key metric. If we remove the popup, viewability goes down and advertiser pay less. I'm willing to try without it and take the financial hit. But, there might be other issues because my understanding is that Google requires the pop-up. Google's rules about video ads are really strange and unpredictable. However, the person with whom I need to discuss this is off today. I may know more tomorrow.

Got it. Thanks for asking about it.

For what it’s worth, I’d be totally fine with multiple embedded video posts in posts pages (say in between posts 2-3, 6-7, 11-12, etc) if it means getting rid of the popup. The embedded video is not that bothersome, but the popup is hard to manage.

[Anonymous]

There are moving advertisements in many platforms, you just dealt with them. Why does one feel they have the right to complain here? Look up entertainment and news sites, recipe websites etc and you have these pop up advertisements.
I say stop complaining and be thankful.

[Anonymous]

Just popping in to say goodbye. The infuriating never ending video ads cover the text of the comments!

Good luck, Jeff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are moving advertisements in many platforms, you just dealt with them. Why does one feel they have the right to complain here? Look up entertainment and news sites, recipe websites etc and you have these pop up advertisements.
I say stop complaining and be thankful.

Except for those of us with sensory issues (and severe migraines), the pop up adds and some of the movement in the static ads make the site unusable. And I like this site and want to use it. And am willing to contribute financially. But nothing on DCUM is worth my ending up in a dark, silent room in extreme pain and vomiting.

And yes, there are other sites where I either pay to remove ads or can’t use them either. It sucks.

[Anonymous]

Jeff: FYI I have noticed a sharp uptick in the page reloading issue (where you lose what you are composing as a response) when the video ads started. It’s now happened multiple times in one day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another here who would be willing to pay for an ad-free experience--even if it's a donation system that results in some footing the bill for other users.

+1. It’s basically the NPR model. Twice a year, they interrupt your commute and are generally annoying. And many of us remember that ad free high quality content has value and renew our membership. And there are free riders. Which doesn’t really bother me because when I was a dirt poor law student, I was a free rider. And because NPR has value for me, so I’m okay paying something to keep it going. And to end the annoying fundraisers.

If subscription doesn’t work then maybe do what NPR does. Print some clever, quirky merch that people want to be given away at various sponsorship levels. A tote bag at $35, socks at $50, a t-shirt at $75 , a hoodie at $100. Or whatever. Enter everyone who donates into a raffle for a grand prize that costs you nothing but annoyance. Like, the winner gets to choose any topic (except NSFW) and you will host a trial forum on it for six months. So, they get a Disney forum or gymnastics forum or Royals forum or pro wrestling forum or Russian folklore forum and you’ll give it six months to generate traffic or die. I’d chip in anyway. I’d do so enthusiastically for a pair of clever socks and the chance to make you try out at legal issues forum.

More akin to Wikipedia, but it is worth a try. My DH gives to Wikipedia. I would give here.

[Anonymous]

Jeff, not sure if you've already answered the question, but I'd be willing to click on advertisements if that increases revenue.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Jeff: FYI I have noticed a sharp uptick in the page reloading issue (where you lose what you are composing as a response) when the video ads started. It’s now happened multiple times in one day.

Is this happening with the quick reply at the bottom of the page or the reply page or both?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, not sure if you've already answered the question, but I'd be willing to click on advertisements if that increases revenue.

I appreciate the thought but please only click on advertisements that interest you. I don't want to cheat advertisers.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeff: FYI I have noticed a sharp uptick in the page reloading issue (where you lose what you are composing as a response) when the video ads started. It’s now happened multiple times in one day.

Is this happening with the quick reply at the bottom of the page or the reply page or both?

It’s only happened on the reply page, but I rarely use quick reply.