you should have used the edit button up there. know the rules or don't post... :)

Puhhhleeeze!  I was responding to two different posts from two different people!   Ent, don't make me break out the can-o-digital-woopass on you boy? 

~)))puts down own pipe(((~ 

lol and coughing intermittently!!!

i am a mod now Davo...its time for the padawan to overtake the master! :)

Anyways...back on subject. :)

 9/1?

 First of September or Ninth Of January?

 
Stupid US calendar!
 

Elsparrow:

 9/1?

 First of September or Ninth Of January?

Stupid US calendar!
 

Sept 1st  

 Ad Blocking software? You know I used to use stuff like Ad Block Pro or Adblock with filterset G,  but I ran into some problems. Some legitimate sites that I wanted to go to I couldn't view. Either the flash interface was blocked or perhaps nothing got rendered on the website. In the past year I started using a Firefox add-on called No Script which is wonderful, you can set which sites you want to allow to run scripts and flash, it puts all your bookmarks in the allowed list automatically. I just use flashbock to block flash from running automatically [i have to click to get any flash to play]. On this site I see some ads but not others, I see the banner ones but not the google ones since the adsense stuff is in my block list.

 What's really nice is how no script works from a security standpoint, when you view sites not in your allow list no scripts of any kind are allowed to run. Just thought I'd pass along an alternative ad blocking idea to some users.

To be honest I've noticed a few good sites putting up paypal banners looking for donations and some are even putting links to get discounted magazine subscriptions and such. One site I'm on has a running paypal donation banner to get their hosting fees each month and they don't even have illegal content on their site [a lot of private torrent sites do this to stay alive].

Heya Digitaladd,

Your scenario and usage model is exactly indicative of the question I'm posing here.  You do realize that when you block ads for sites you visit often and/or use as a resource for information or entertainment, you're killing the revenue stream that keeps them afloat, right?  If everyone blocked ads like you, many sites would fail. 

Fortunately HH is large enough and with critical mass and industry brand-name recognition, that we won't have an issue with this.  However, earlier this week, it came to me that it might be interesting to explore this question in general to get our reader's perspective and perhaps also give a few of our readers a different perspective on the subject. 

In short, unlike the other sites you noted here, we don't charge for content and we don't ask for PayPal contributions.  I would venture to say that if enough users blocked ads, the internet would eventually become a pay-per-view resource, just like many other media outlets like cable TV etc.  You don't pay for over-the-air programming of TV or Radio but then again, you don't have a choice of blocking over the air ads either.  :)

Regardless, thanks for your input. 

Davo:

Heya Digitaladd,

Your scenario and usage model is exactly indicative of the question I'm posing here.  You do realize that when you block ads for sites you visit often and/or use as a resource for information or entertainment, you're killing the revenue stream that keeps them afloat, right?  If everyone blocked ads like you, many sites would fail. 

Fortunately HH is large enough and with critical mass and industry brand-name recognition, that we won't have an issue with this.  However, earlier this week, it came to me that it might be interesting to explore this question in general to get our reader's perspective and perhaps also give a few of our readers a different perspective on the subject. 

In short, unlike the other sites you noted here, we don't charge for content and we don't ask for PayPal contributions.  I would venture to say that if enough users blocked ads, the internet would eventually become a pay-per-view resource, just like many other media outlets like cable TV etc.  You don't pay for over-the-air programming of TV or Radio but then again, you don't have a choice of blocking over the air ads either.  :)

Regardless, thanks for your input. 

You know I really just wanted to point out that some ads blocking software isn't as extreme as adblock pro or ablock with filterset G these block ever possible ad that any site throws at you if you keep them up to date. Noscript at least lets some through on sites that you deem safe.. 

Still to generate revenue you have to get clicks right? Most people who run ablocking software aren't the people who will be clicking on your ads anyway now will they? 

There are multiple ways that you can generate revenue from ads. First is per 1000 impressions (views), second per click of each ad, and the third per sale/conversion. The first is usually a dollar for 1000 views, second around 10-50 cents a click, and third usually couple dollars per sale. My guess is HH runs the first and second type of ad campaigns.

I used to block ads using ad blocker for FF, but no longer do. If a site is worth me visiting, they deserve to get something in return, viewing a couple ads and even clicking on some once in a while is not the worst that can happen. Any website that has pop-up or "continue to content" ads I stop visiting completely.

It does cost a reasonable amount of money to run a website. I don't know how much Davo has to pay, but I know the costs of running multiple datacenters, servers, rackspace/bandwidth costs, and software development cost... it's not cheap. For example, if there is a server issue, to get a consultant to work on it and fix it is 125-175 dollars per hour. So by browsing sites and completely blocking all ads, you are costing the site owner money.

If you want to help out HH, an easy way is to use the price search engine on HH instead of going to pricegrabber or other such site.

This is my own personal opinion, other than being a long time member and forum mod, I do not get paid or anything by HH. I do work as a project leader on software/website development, so I have experience from both sides of advertising.
 

That's pretty much spot-on, Venom.  We get paid per page view or "impression" and incremental revienue for clicks and conversions to a sale.  Blocking an ad takes away that page impression, which is a mainstay of our revenue stream.  And it certainly does cost big time to run a site like HH, pay our staff, our hosting fees, capital expenses, web site development etc.  It's very much just like any other small enterprise business, only the customer (our readers) have a direct relationship with the team, from our staff and freelance writers, to the Managing Editor, Editor In Chief and CEO.  This gives it a very small business feel but I assure you the business model is anything but. 

Regardless, this has all been very interesting dialog and I appreciate all the different perspectives.

I hope my question will get a response and not get glazed over:

~preface~ I've never felt a need to block ads, but can assure you that ads don't make much of an impression on me, most likely won't get clicked by me and almost certainly won't get "converted" by me.

My question is: Isn't that exactly the same end result as if I were to block them completely? 

BTW: Certainly nothing personal towards HH as indifference to ads is my mind set in general.

 Read the beginning of my post where I explained different types of revenue from ads. You do not have to click or buy from the advertiser for the website to make money of the ad, they also pay for the site just showing them (when not blocked).

...

recoveringknowitall:

I hope my question will get a response and not get glazed over:

~preface~ I've never felt a need to block ads, but can assure you that ads don't make much of an impression on me, most likely won't get clicked by me and almost certainly won't get "converted" by me.

My question is: Isn't that exactly the same end result as if I were to block them completely? 

RKIA,

No, actually it's not even close.  Online media ad planners tracks ROI for sure but it's understood that there is a certain percentage ROI that tracks our market segment.  You are more of an anomaly actually, since online spending is growing at exponential rates every year.  In fact an overwhelmingly large percentage of our readers come here to make specific purchasing decisions.  It's only logical that the highly targeted ads we have here will do well.  Again, different strokes for different folks.  That's all good.  However, you are not the norm in terms of the actual ROI data we've shown over the years to our ad clients.  Especially in the technology sector, online spending, referred by reputable sites like HH, is huge.

Davo:

readers come here to make specific purchasing decisions. 

I do that via your reviews and forum feedback, not ads.

I'm an avid user of the net as a "mall", but don't rely at all on ads to inform, influenece or impact me.

BTW: I patronize HH 3 ways:

1) Turn to the reviews/forums for advice and buy accordingly.

2) Interact on the forums in the most positive/productive way to enrich the HH community.

3) Tell people about HH.

recoveringknowitall:

Davo:

readers come here to make specific purchasing decisions. 

 

I do that via your reviews and forum feedback, not ads.

I'm an avid user of the net as a "mall", but don't rely at all on ads to inform, influenece or impact me.

BTW: I patronize HH 3 ways:

1) Turn to the reviews/forums for advice and buy accordingly.

2) Interact on the forums in the most positive/productive way to enrich the HH community.

3) Tell people about HH.

 

Sounds reasonable to me!  Whatever works for you. :)

As for me i only add block the really annoying ones, ie the ones that make noise or the ones that flash allot. other than that i don't block them. I even click on the ones on HH ones when i go to newegg and purchase stuff.

I agree that Hot Hardware has always used reputable companies for advertising and there has never been any pop ups or other "annoying" advertising methods. I'm happy not using Ad Blocking extension. (I have used them in the past) My reason is that the web is currently free to visit almost any site and thats the way it should be. The reason it can be free is because advertising generates revenue. I don't mean to regurgitate what was already said in this thread. I acknowledge, understand and accept what has been said. However I can sympathize with Drago and he makes a valid argument. Hot Hardware is a business and Davo and his buddies can't live off fresh air and have no real practical choice but to go with the system that generates most revenue.

 Other websites you can pay a small fee not see ads and a few other benefits. Wall Street Journal, Gotfrag, Something Awful are such websites. If Hot Hardware were to offer such a system. I would definitely consider applying.

 
Dev