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Blog under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License
Oct
14
(2005)
For the last couple of days, I was experimenting with running Google Adsense on my blog. I’d tried it before – mostly to see how well it matched ads to content – and removed it then, too. I put it on, calling it my “iPod fund” – but felt kind of dirty. I didn’t like the feeling, but justified it in my head – figuring it wasn’t hurting anyone, and just might buy me a toy or two…
Tonight, I was talking with Janice about it, and she commented that I’d sold out. She was completely right (of course. she’s always right and she calls it like she sees it without holding any punches – one of the reasons I love her so much). I’ve removed the ads from the blog, and if I try to sneak them back in I hope someone will smack me upside the head.
The ads weren’t bringing in heaps of cash – enough to buy a couple of iPods per year if today’s rate held up – but it’s just not worth it. This blog is my outboard brain, and my handing over any portion of it to attempt to “monetize”
[...] I ranted recently about how having advertising on my blog made me feel dirty. After saying that, it’s been kind of bugging me, especially since someone whom I deeply respect provides marketing and branding creative for companies. [...]
I don’t think you should fret so much, although the site is obvioulsy going to be cleaner sans ads. At least the ads are served randomly, so there is plausible deniability. Having Associate links to Amazon, which some prominent bloggers do, is more dodgy in the educational field, because it looks like your independance is compromised. Oh, I do both, but I haven’t even made the postage on a CD as yet.
Ads on Blogs
That crazy Canadian D’Arcy Norman has grabbed my interest again with his post about him ’selling out’ and putting Google AdSense ads on his blog (and since removing them again). I disagree with you D’Arcy, it wasn’t selling out at all.
I think …
“selling out” may have been too strong – but I did feel icky about it, and that’s what it came down to. Maybe if I’d have started out with ads it would be a different story, but slapping them on after 3 years or so was iffy.
Oh, and although the first couple days of Adsense revenue were basically nothing – a nickel the first day, 20 cents the second. The third day pulled in 3 bucks. So, with the rates I’d been seeing, the annual Adsense revenue for this blog would have been between $20 and $1000 US.
That’s what started to feel icky. Not enough cash to really worry about, but enough that I might have started writing posts to attract higher-paying Adsense placements…
I too have struggled with placing Adsense ads on my personal pages. Yes, the extra income would be nice… but as Matt said… it’ much cleaner w/o them in the first place. I already make enough money from them on other sites to be more than satisfied with the return. I’d have no problem buying a billboard for advertising… but there’s no way that you’d see me driving around with an advert on my car.
your blog is published–and its success is thanks to–your time, skill, and experience. if it’s something people find useful or entertaining, then you have every right to attach material value to it. i doubt the numbers you are suggesting would indicate commensurate profit, based on the education and effort your writing is based on, but more of a token stipend.
due respect to Janice of course, but “selling out” is when you compromise your beliefs, not finding a way to get paid for productivity you enjoy. it’s your call whether you’d have a foot in the former, but i for one would be proud of you if you made some money off the work you do here, as long is it’s based on your own original thought and insights.
Daily Update
Today’s news update includes news on stock market bears, weekend boxoffice results, outsourcing, technology mergers, and an update on Scooter Libby and Karl Rove.
On the edublogging front, we hear about blogging in the classroom, best practices in hos…
Thanks, d. The “selling out” was more along the lines of being tempted to write for/to ads – changing what I’m doing to try to game Google out of some cash.
Most blogsavvy folks know that Google’s relevance matching is only partially relevant. At times it’s more amusing than useful. I wouldn’t have a problem running ads so long as Google keeps the adverts reasonably high-toned.
But not enough people read either of my blogs to make it worth my while.
Nah, Using Advertisements its not selling out at all. Although I like you are very cautious about it.. However on my end I need all the cash I can get… So I am struggling. I stumbled onto your site… in search of Adsense reviews. I am thinking about signing up for it.. As I am hoping to earn 200 dollars a month with all my stuff put together to help me earn gas money to and from a possible job… I dunno.. Been a tough road for me, and many others. I am just trying to find out how well adsense works. The only issue I can see that I’d have is the temptation of clicking my own links. Only cause I love clicking on ads anyhow! lol… So I gotta stay away from my own ads if I do that lol… and focus on only clicking ads in my gmail account and on other sites… Whether you use Adsense or not. I hope all the best for you. Take Care.