Ad Block / Donations

[Tim]

With Apple's recent decision to push ad blocking to help in their war against Google, I've noticed a growing gap between the number of page hits vs the number of ad displays. In September, there were actually about 50% more overall pages displayed than pages with ads (33% of all pages were displayed with the ads blocked). I totally get why people do this. Ads are annoying and slow down the page load quite a bit. They're particularly annoying on mobile.

 

However, I still have to pay for the server to support the site, as well as a few miscellaneous other charges that occur from time to time.

 

So...

 

Would the people who view the site with an ad blocker be willing to make donations from time to time? What would seem fair? Should I post a link on the page to my paypal account or take another approach?

 

Thanks!

[Guest]

With Apple's recent decision to push ad blocking to help in their war against Google, I've noticed a growing gap between the number of page hits vs the number of ad displays. In September, there were actually about 50% more overall pages displayed than pages with ads (33% of all pages were displayed with the ads blocked). I totally get why people do this. Ads are annoying and slow down the page load quite a bit. They're particularly annoying on mobile.

 

However, I still have to pay for the server to support the site, as well as a few miscellaneous other charges that occur from time to time.

 

So...

 

Would the people who view the site with an ad blocker be willing to make donations from time to time? What would seem fair? Should I post a link on the page to my paypal account or take another approach?

 

Thanks!

 

I've said it before casually, but I'd be willing to pay for premium again to avoid ads and anything else you might want to include, or I'd be willing to donate since I'm an ad blocker.

[Proven Veteran]

Is there any way to control which ads get displayed?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I don't use ad block, but I'd still make a small donation from time to time.

[Guest]

Is there any way to control which ads get displayed?

I don't use an ad blocker, so I have no idea.

 

I don't want to go mucking about in the code to make this happen like I did with premium back in the day. I'd prefer to just encourage donations (and make it easy to give them) for people blocking ads. I guess what I'm feeling out here is if that seems fair to people.

 

Apple's actions are really making this harder on smaller publishers/websites.

[Guest]

btw, tim, how has traffic been this year relative to the last few (and the good years before that)?

[Guest]

btw, tim, how has traffic been this year relative to the last few (and the good years before that)?

April 1 - Sept 30 (In pageviews):

 

2015: 4,642,176

2014: 4,880,690

2013: 4,717,368

2012: 5,458,785

2011: 4,033,182

2010: 5,523,874

2009: 8,592,523

2008: 11,162,870

2007: 12,132,332

2006: didn't have google analytics yet

 

Fundamentally, a lot of people left during the bad years that haven't come back. There are just so many more options out there these days. Facebook and Twitter have sucked so much of the traffic from sites like mine in recent years.

[Proven Veteran]

Is there any way to control which ads get displayed?

I don't use an ad blocker, so I have no idea.

 

I don't want to go mucking about in the code to make this happen like I did with premium back in the day. I'd prefer to just encourage donations (and make it easy to give them) for people blocking ads. I guess what I'm feeling out here is if that seems fair to people.

 

Apple's actions are really making this harder on smaller publishers/websites.

 

 

I meant on your end. Many of the ads displayed are of a very low quality (I know you have nothing to do with them). Is there a way to control from the ad service?

[Guest]

btw, tim, how has traffic been this year relative to the last few (and the good years before that)?

April 1 - Sept 30 (In pageviews):

 

2015: 4,642,176

2014: 4,880,690

2013: 4,717,368

2012: 5,458,785

2011: 4,033,182

2010: 5,523,874

2009: 8,592,523

2008: 11,162,870

2007: 12,132,332

2006: didn't have google analytics yet

 

Fundamentally, a lot of people left during the bad years that haven't come back. There are just so many more options out there these days. Facebook and Twitter have sucked so much of the traffic from sites like mine in recent years.

 

I expected some of that, but it's freaking crazy to me that we're down from the last 2-3 years. Big 2012 rebound from Theo I guess.

[Guest]

Is there any way to control which ads get displayed?

I don't use an ad blocker, so I have no idea.

 

I don't want to go mucking about in the code to make this happen like I did with premium back in the day. I'd prefer to just encourage donations (and make it easy to give them) for people blocking ads. I guess what I'm feeling out here is if that seems fair to people.

 

Apple's actions are really making this harder on smaller publishers/websites.

 

 

I meant on your end. Many of the ads displayed are of a very low quality (I know you have nothing to do with them). Is there a way to control from the ad service?

They're all from Adsense. Google doesn't give a whole lot of control.

[Derwood]

I've seen some sites that just post a sticky with a monthly donation goal and keep it updated as people donate. Seems to work well in motivating people to chip in

[Guest]

I've seen some sites that just post a sticky with a monthly donation goal and keep it updated as people donate. Seems to work well in motivating people to chip in

What's a typical goal they put out there?

[Derwood]

I've seen some sites that just post a sticky with a monthly donation goal and keep it updated as people donate. Seems to work well in motivating people to chip in

What's a typical goal they put out there?

 

https://www.thetfp.com/donate/goals

 

No idea what kind of traffic they get or what their costs are

[Sammy Sofa]

Can't we raise money by putting out a sexy calendar?

[Guest]

Can someone first tell me how to ad-block on mobile (using iPhone/safari)?

[Guest]

okay - I put something out there. Seems to work well enough.

[Guest]

bummer that it only shows on the board index. I don't know about anyone else, but I hardly ever go to that page anymore. All my time is spent on either "active topics" or within a thread.

[Guest]

bummer that it only shows on the board index. I don't know about anyone else, but I hardly ever go to that page anymore. All my time is spent on either "active topics" or within a thread.

 

Same

[Guest]

Donation made! :D

 

EDIT - Weird. It didn't go up. Glitch?

[Derwood]

I use Board index. I don't like active topics because I kind of have a pattern about which forums I visit first each time.

[Guest]

Donation made! :D

 

EDIT - Weird. It didn't go up. Glitch?

It went through. Thanks!

 

oh...I have to update the total manually.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

How much are you expecting/wanting at this time, Tim? I just donated a little bit, under the assumption that I will donate more from time to time. But, if you would rather just have one lump sum to cover us for a year or two, I can donate more now.

[Guest]

How much are you expecting/wanting at this time, Tim? I just donated a little bit, under the assumption that I will donate more from time to time. But, if you would rather just have one lump sum to cover us for a year or two, I can donate more now.

Honestly, whatever you're comfortable with doing.

 

I appreciate the support!

[Ding Dong Johnson]

You're lucky I'm feeling nice. I'm usually a tight ass.

[Guest]

You're lucky I'm feeling nice. I'm usually a tight ass.

Thanks!