# No Google ads for subscribing members? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 28, 2005, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880 "2005-09-28T17:15:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2005, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/61 "2005-10-02T02:57:55Z")
> [@Jake](#): > > . NO popups though, please. Well, the current ads are for pop-up blockers. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![percypercy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8baadc/32.png) [@percypercy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/percypercy)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2005, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/62 "2005-10-02T03:01:47Z")
I’ve gotten used to the ads now. I think I’d miss them now, even the second one displaying on my screen right now, apparently advertising something in Dutch. -Lil ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/63 "2005-10-10T22:05:38Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > We have asked management to remove Google ads from view by subscribing members of the SDMB. > > We’ll let you know if/when this has been granted, though you’ll probably know when we do. 🙂 Update us please, on the status of this discussion (since ad removal for paying customers obviously hasn’t happened yet). ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/64 "2005-10-10T22:25:43Z")
Hey, I have a thread on buying Model Train tracks and 1 of the 3 google ads was useful. I would opt to keep them. ---
**Author:** ![Gaudere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@Gaudere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaudere)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2005, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/65 "2005-10-11T17:30:01Z")
> [@](#): > > Update us please, on the status of this discussion (since ad removal for paying customers obviously hasn’t happened yet). Haven’t heard yet; I’ll ask Ed what’s up w/ the optional ads next time I see him online. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2005, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/66 "2005-10-11T23:33:06Z")
> [@Gaudere](#): > > Google doesn’t allow us to do that: " Clicks on Google ads must not result in a new browser window being launched." [AdSense Program policies - Google AdSense Help](https://www.google.com/adsense/policies) What if I use a “open in new window” command to open it? Would that affect anything (e.g. deprive the Straight Dope of the income)? ---
**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 12, 2005, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/67 "2005-10-12T11:00:36Z")
Shouldn’t affect, a click is a click. TubaDiva ---
**Author:** ![jdavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f6c823/32.png) [@jdavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jdavis)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2005, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/68 "2005-10-12T18:24:18Z")
I’ve discussed the suggestion that we create an option to allow the membership not to view the Google ads and have had it reaffirmed to me that the desired intent was and is for the membership to see the ads. You can find suggestions on how not to view the ads in the thread [So, am I allowed to tell people how to circumvent the ads?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=336615) Jerry ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2005, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/69 "2005-10-12T18:42:07Z")
> [@jdavis](#): > > I’ve discussed the suggestion that we create an option to allow the membership not to view the Google ads and have had it reaffirmed to me that the desired intent was and is for the membership to see the ads. Ah well. I suppose those willing to put down $15 for an internet message board are the ones most willing to put down other money elsewhere online. No big deal. I trust TPTB have the sense not to introduce anything _actually_ obtrusive, like images or popups. Otherwise, if it helps keep my playground open, I’m all for it. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2005, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/70 "2005-10-12T22:10:15Z")
hmm, looks like it’s pretty obvious who carries more weight with TPTB then… let me get this out of the way right now… i have _NEVER_ in my time on the Internet, (dear Og, how long has it been, since the AOL 2.0 days, at least 10 years…) _EVER_ clicked on any form of internet advertising, none, zero, zilch, nada, i _DON’T_ click on internet ads, never have, never will so, in my case, the google ads are useless, a waste of bandwidth, and do nothing but annoy me, i know i can’t be the only one here, the Reader won’t be making money off my click-throughs, as there won’t be any, and since my subscription fee obviously means nothing to the Reader, i may have to consider if re-upping is worth my money (so far it looks like the answer would be “no”) the only way the google ads would work in my case, is if we went back to a non-subscription basis oh well, back to browsing in Firefox with Adblock for me… ---
**Author:** ![Silentgoldfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2005, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/71 "2005-10-12T23:51:31Z")
Right, well then when subscription time comes, you’ve lost my money. Congrats. ---
**Author:** ![Loopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loopus/32/15343_2.png) [@Loopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopus)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2005, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/72 "2005-10-12T23:56:46Z")
> [@Silentgoldfish](#): > > Right, well then when subscription time comes, you’ve lost my money. Ditto. _sigh_ ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/73 "2005-10-13T00:14:00Z")
Okay then, Mods, or anyone with access to TPTB, what is the purpose of serving up ads to people that have stated _UNEQUIVOCABLY_ that they _WILL NOT_ click on the ads, all you’d need to do is slip a line of code in the user preference control panel that defaults the ads to _on_, and it’s up to the _user_ to turn them off, everyone gets ads by default, those of us who choose _not_ to see them can “opt out” as it were a draconian “Ads for All!” policy will make _this_ paying member actively reconsider re-subscribing, and that’d be a pity, as i like the SDMB, but it’s clear TPTB value the Almighty Dollar that the _advertisers_ give them, rather than the paying subscribers i don’t care if the ads are on by default, as long as i’m given a way to turn them off, think about it this way, i’m paying for my bandwidth, on _MY_ computer that i paid _my_ money for, i have _every right_ to control what content i see/don’t see on the screen, and advertisers _are NOT welcome_ on my machine, i don’t click on _any_ internet ads, don’t respond to spam or pop-ups/unders either, in fact it’s my simple wish that all advertisers would simply piss off and go away while i’m wishing for things, i’d also like a shark with a frickin’ laser beam on it’s head… ---
**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/74 "2005-10-13T00:22:08Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > i don’t care if the ads are on by default, as long as i’m given a way to turn them off, think about it this way, i’m paying for my bandwidth, on _MY_ computer that i paid _my_ money for, i have _every right_ to control what content i see/don’t see on the screen, and advertisers _are NOT welcome_ on my machine, i don’t click on _any_ internet ads, don’t respond to spam or pop-ups/unders either, in fact it’s my simple wish that all advertisers would simply piss off and go away [You have been](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=336615). And/or: door, hit, ass, out 1. Combine 2. Stir vigorously 3. Enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/75 "2005-10-13T02:27:46Z")
> [@Garfield226](#): > > door, hit, ass, out > > 1. Combine > 2. Stir vigorously > 3. Enjoy. :rolleyes: +1 for originality, at least. It’s surprising how many of you actually believed this would happen. ---
**Author:** ![Silentgoldfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/76 "2005-10-13T04:26:39Z")
> [@Silver Fire](#): > > It’s surprising how many of you actually believed this would happen. I didn’t really but I figured I’d give them a chance. ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/77 "2005-10-13T21:55:20Z")
Well, now we know what’s what. The ads are annoying and obnoxious, but at least it’s possible for SOME people to get rid of them. (Others who surf at work may not be able to take steps to block them.) Even worse are the content-free drive by comments peppered in every thread. “HAHAHA LOL OMGROFLOLRFOFL!!! Look at what the ads say now!!!” At least when my renewal comes up, I’ll know what I’ll be paying for. ---
**Author:** ![Phedre\_no\_Delaunay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/839c29/32.png) [@Phedre\_no\_Delaunay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phedre_no_Delaunay)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2005, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/78 "2005-10-16T17:16:30Z")
I’m saddened that the management feels that they can inflict ads on paying customers, unlike every other message board that I pay to subscribe to (who have ads for non-payers and no ads once you subscribe.) Oh well, at least they were upfront about it before it came time to renew. I won’t be resubscribing. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2005, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/79 "2005-10-16T19:47:41Z")
> [@Phèdre nó Delaunay](#): > > I’m saddened that the management feels that they can inflict ads on paying customers, unlike every other message board that I pay to subscribe to (who have ads for non-payers and no ads once you subscribe.) Oh well, at least they were upfront about it before it came time to renew. I won’t be resubscribing. In the time it took you to compose that, you could have enabled an ad blocker. Oh, well… ---
**Author:** ![AngelicGemma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2005, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880/80 "2005-10-17T10:20:08Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > In the time it took you to compose that, you could have enabled an ad blocker. Oh, well… It’s not always possible. Unless the only computer you post from is your own. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-google-ads-for-subscribing-members/323880.md?page=5)