# Auto-playing video ads in threads, again. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 19, 2011, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192 "2011-10-19T21:50:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/21 "2012-08-09T21:20:09Z")
**Tubadiva** worded that exceptionally poorly. I do not believe the SD staff _want_ ads that act like that. Rather, the ad sourcing community defines ads that react to the cursor passing over them as an acceptable interpretation of the limitation that the ad must be selected by user activity, so the ad providers do not exclude those ads even with the criteria that pop ups and video/audio ads need user action to activate. It is frustrating, because IIRC the board has tried to complain about that before to the ad providers, with no relief. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/22 "2012-08-10T02:04:12Z")
Sorry, you didn’t get my meaning. Let me try to rephrase. Ads that have sound that are triggered by interaction – even as simple as mousing over them – that is playing by the rules and these ads are permitted from ad brokers. Ads that sound off as soon as they render without being touched by the user in any way – those are the ads we try to remove from the site. We realize most of you don’t like/want ads at all. At the same time the site is trying to stay in business; ad revenue helps keeps the place operational. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/23 "2012-08-10T04:40:29Z")
It appears to be for the EPA, about some new mileage rules. No, I did not mouse over it. It started playing when I clicked on the thread (and then it started again when I clicked on THIS thread to reply). (and it started again when I hit “save” on this file) “Call the EPA to support the proposed new standards.” ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/24 "2012-08-10T08:41:45Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Sorry, you didn’t get my meaning. Seems like I did. You think ads that make noise just from a mouseover are ok. > [@](#): > > Ads that have sound that are triggered by interaction – even as simple as mousing over them – that is playing by the rules and these ads are permitted from ad brokers. Crappy ad brokers, maybe. I don’t find that sort of thing on most reputable sites I visit. > [@](#): > > We realize most of you don’t like/want ads at all. Ok, you go ahead and try to portray the situation as if we are just being unreasonable and hate all ads. Ignore the fact that some of us have been browsing with no ad blocker installed for a long time because we figured it’s no skin off our nose if you want to generate a little revenue. Never mind the fact that the obnoxiousness of the ads has finally pushed me to install an ad blocker even though I’d prefer not to. Pretend that there is no correlation between the quality of a site and the quality of the ads it displays. It’s a big coincidence that you have the same type of ads as various armpits of the internet. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to read up on HOW TO NEVER PAY FOR ENERGY AGAIN THE SECRETS THE UTILITY COMPANIES DON’T WANT YOU TO HEAR. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/25 "2012-08-10T12:34:58Z")
What I might think does not obtain, as I do not set ad policy. It’s an unfortunate misconception on your part if you believe staffers do, as there is nothing the staff can do for you here in that department. We can facilitate your reporting of rogue ads, that’s what we do. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/26 "2012-08-10T19:42:04Z")
> [@spinky](#): > > Seems like I did. You think ads that make noise just from a mouseover are ok. No. She thinks that _ad brokers_ think that ads that make noise just from mouseover are okay, and won’t do anything about removing them or blocking them. > [@](#): > > Crappy ad brokers, maybe. Ad brokers like Google? That’s one of the ad brokers they use. ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/27 "2012-08-10T19:50:55Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > No. She thinks that _ad brokers_ think that ads that make noise just from mouseover are okay, and won’t do anything about removing them or blocking them. > > Ad brokers like Google? That’s one of the ad brokers they use. You may notice that the Google ads are not the ones making noise. I wonder why that is. ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/28 "2012-08-10T19:52:32Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > What I might think does not obtain, as I do not set ad policy. It’s an unfortunate misconception on your part if you believe staffers do, as there is nothing the staff can do for you here in that department. > > We can facilitate your reporting of rogue ads, that’s what we do. You’re the interface for whoever does set the ad policy, so you’re the folks who get the complaints. Whether or not you pass them on is up to you. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/29 "2012-08-10T20:01:16Z")
> [@spinky](#): > > You may notice that the Google ads are not the ones making noise. I wonder why that is. I have not noticed that one way or the other. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2012, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/30 "2012-08-11T04:58:20Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > No. She thinks that _ad brokers_ think that ads that make noise just from mouseover are okay, and won’t do anything about removing them or blocking them. No, I think that’s what Ed and Jerry think, because that’s who I report to on these issues. As I have done in this thread … as I do whenever this comes up. Again, staffers don’t make the rules on this. Management does. Staffers have no contact with the ad brokers. > [@spinky](#): > > You’re the interface for whoever does set the ad policy, so you’re the folks who get the complaints. Whether or not you pass them on is up to you. We report all such complaints. ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2012, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/31 "2012-08-11T05:27:49Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > We report all such complaints. Seems like you’re an appropriate channel for such complaints, then. The fact that you personally don’t set ad policy seems pretty irrelevant. The only reason I can see for you to mention that is that you’d like people to think you’re not the appropriate person to complain to. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/32 "2012-10-03T17:42:53Z")
Skittles. “Taste the rainbow.” I don’t get these anywhere else except here, what is the deal anyway? It’s annoying to have to remember to turn off the sound whenever I log onto here. ---
**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/33 "2012-10-04T22:24:25Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > Skittles. “Taste the rainbow.” I don’t get these anywhere else except here, what is the deal anyway? It’s annoying to have to remember to turn off the sound whenever I log onto here. Reported this. You’re getting the ad before you log in to the SDMB, if I’m reading your post right? ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/34 "2012-10-04T23:31:14Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > Skittles. “Taste the rainbow.” I don’t get these anywhere else except here, what is the deal anyway? It’s annoying to have to remember to turn off the sound whenever I log onto here. Does this ad play as soon as the page renders or do you have to touch it in some fashion? (Even mousing over an ad or going past it is enough to trigger in some cases.) It’s an important distinction, which is why I’m asking you for more info, please. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/35 "2012-10-08T05:37:17Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Does this ad play as soon as the page renders or do you have to touch it in some fashion? (Even mousing over an ad or going past it is enough to trigger in some cases.) > > It’s an important distinction, which is why I’m asking you for more info, please. No, I did not touch it, mouse over it, etc. It started when I clicked on a thread. It continued to play, and then went to another commercial, and then I shut off the sound. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/36 "2012-10-08T14:38:23Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > No, I did not touch it, mouse over it, etc. > > It started when I clicked on a thread. It continued to play, and then went to another commercial, and then I shut off the sound. Appreciate the details. Sorry for your inconvenience. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/37 "2012-10-08T15:12:35Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > No, I did not touch it, mouse over it, etc. > > It started when I clicked on a thread. It continued to play, and then went to another commercial, and then I shut off the sound. I’m sure TPTB are glad you’ve found a workaround to your problem. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/38 "2012-10-08T15:26:37Z")
“Cheddar cheese and pretzels”–while perusing this very thread to see if there was an answer. (Yes, I forgot to mute first.) No visible ad TO mouseover. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/39 "2012-10-08T15:42:27Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > “Cheddar cheese and pretzels”–while perusing this very thread to see if there was an answer. (Yes, I forgot to mute first.) > > No visible ad TO mouseover. yeah i got hit by that a number of days ago and by 5 Gum a few times. all with no mouse over because i used ‘first unread message’ arrow to open the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192/40 "2012-10-13T17:39:01Z")
I’m getting these ads now, too. Sometimes they have a spot that I can click to mute them, sometimes they don’t. > [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > 1. To confirm, this ad appeared on a Straight Dope Message Board page, and not on a column display page? > > 2. Did the video expand outside the ad border, or did it remain within the box? > > 3. Was the ad accompanied by sound? 1: The ads are appearing in SDMB threads, but not on index pages. 2: They are staying in the border, in the space just under the OP. 3: Yes, they are noisy. > [@TubaDiva](#): > > Anyone have any idea what this ad is about or who it’s for? > > We can’t do anything about it if we can’t identify the source. > > Also … are you touching the ad in any way? (That might include accidentally mousing over it.) Those are supposed to be okay; it’s the ones that automatically start playing regardless of what you do that aren’t supposed to be happening here. > > Finally … where are you? Ads are targeted to specific places, so that sometimes helps us sort out just what’s going on. For example, the Veet ad mentioned above only played in Europe, I think, and that made it easier to track it down. The ads I’m getting are for 5 gum, skittles, and some clothes store. The ads start making noise even if I open the thread in a new tab., so noe way I’m mousing over them. I’m in the greater Waterbury area of Connecticut. ETA: I got one after posting this. It was for Peir-1 Imports. I could (and did) mute it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-playing-video-ads-in-threads-again/600192.md?page=3)