In our ceaseless but so far futile effort to make a buck off the Straight Dope Message Board, or at least not lose our shirts, Google “AdSense” text ads will soon start appearing on SDMB message-thread pages. Some answers to what we anticipate will be FAQs:
What will the ads look like, and exactly where will they appear?
They’ll look like text, as one might suppose, consisting of a few words of promotional copy plus a hyperlink. Typically three or four ads will appear across the bottom of each thread, right above the reply box. We’re told that this is the optimal location, since you’ve finished the thread and are now deciding what to do next. We’re banking on the possibility that your eye will light on a Google ad and you’ll think, “Gosh, maybe I do need a new bulk e-mail list!” and click away. Theoretically the ads will bear some relation to the thread you just read, so you’ll find them of interest.
Some of the ads don’t seem relevant to the threads
We know. We’re curious to see how this works out. When threads are new or have only a few posts, Google doesn’t have much to go on and serves up generic ads. Threads with more history get ads that are more pertinent, although this is not a precise business. In a thread about why photographers ask people to “say cheese,” for example, some of the ads are from folks trying to sell you cheese.
How do you get paid for these ads?
It depends on the deal Google has with the advertiser. Sometimes we get paid per page view. More often we get paid each time someone clicks on a link.
I know! I’ll organize the Teeming Millions to click on every ad! You’ll make millions!
Please don’t do this. Google has been known to blacklist sites that fraudulently run up the numbers. That said, we encourage you to click on any ad you find interesting.
But you promised we wouldn’t see ads once the board went to paid subscriptions!
Hush now, we did not. We’ve always run ads. If these things were any less intrusive they’d be subliminal.
If you make money on ads, will service improve?
As always, we make no promises. However, our server contract is up for renewal, and prices have been falling. We anticipate some adjustments. For now we’ll say no more.
)