Given the traffic that has put WUWT in the top WordPress blogs on a semi-regular basis (see below) I have been given a unique opportunity by the kind people that run the WordPress.com free hosting service. This wasn’t just a standard offer, this came in a personal email from the VP of Automattic, Inc., the parent company of WordPress. This is a beta trial for them too.
They have invited me to participate in the Google adsense program, which they offer only to blogs on their VIP hosting service, some of which you see in the top 10 list above. So, effective immediately, you’ll see some of these ads. For example after you click the “read more” below.
These are purely on a trial basis (my decision) and if they get in the way, I may turn them off. For those of you that support the work here at WUWT, you can now support me by visiting the advertisers on this blog.
I can’t control the content of the ads, (though I can block them from sites I don’t want) so you may find yourself presented with contextual ads from Al Gore, political groups, or even Greenpeace at times. Worthy of note, they pay for clicks made.
There’s a division of ad revenue. The ads at the top under the post title are the ones that benefit WUWT, and the ones at the bottom go to WordPress.com
I hope it is not too obtrusive, I welcome feedback on this experiment.
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Wow, you should really find a way to filter some of those ads… here is what I saw here…
“Ads by Google
Climate Change is Here
Climate change is a scientific fact and it affects you. Learn more now.
support.greenpeace.ca”
If the ads get you some income, I say that’s great. My only suggestion is that, since you already have the gray margin around the white page, you could put the ads there. They would be even more noticeable than they are now, but without sitting between the headline and the text.
By the way, the variable gray margin and fixed white page width make for a nice, clean layout. It keeps the thing looking more like a printed page, and avoids the overly long lines that can sometimes be difficult to track.
I’m waiting for the ad that sells WUWT denialist tee-shirts in ecogreen.
Take the bucks from Big Al while you can. Use them to offset you carbon footprint. ;~P
Actually Adolfo, Gore is a senior advisor to Google. In any case, the fact that they approached WUWT for ads is the proof that they are only in it for the money, including Gore.
Reply: Google did not “approach” WUWT. WordPress did ~ charles the moderator
Charles the moderator, sorry, my mistake… but those ads are still from Goggle!!! Again, Google does not care where their ads go… as long as someone click on them.
But for WUWT to make moeny out if this, people will have to click on the ads.
My take on their position would also fall on either left or right margins… just to keep the articles and comments clean.
I think we are all at the point were google ads are normal everywhere. I don’t even really see them unless I’m looking for something.
I’m ok with the ads as long as they don’t add a lot of download or CPU to opening a page of WUWT. Lots of web pages have dozens of ads per page, and they have lots of active content. Like, I see some pages that have like a dozen “SWF” files that have to download to complete a page. My poor little laptop gets overwhelmed.
But a few links at the top of the page is just fine. I’m very happy if you can make some cash off this. You’ve earned it.
If you could set up your own domain, or have someone else do it, you could have the ads in different locations, like to the side instead of just above the post. With as much traffic as you have, you could probably make more than enough to pay to have someone set it all up for you.
I have a small site with a lot less traffic and I earn enough for a domain and to have someone set up the web hosting.
(I’m not soliciting business as I have no desire to do any of this for anyone else — just pointing out the possibilities)
Why don’t you put Banners instead of Google ad-words?
– You will profit more
– Less confusing for us readers.
Just add banners on the sider bar of your blog.
First lesson you’ll need to learn with running these ads: encouraging users to click on Google Adsense units is a breach of the program’s TOS.
Hi Tony, We are all getting a priceless product from you, and I for one would like the site to not only pay for itself, but make you wealthy in the bargain. (Sure, we know that’s not likely, but I consider you’ve done a heck of a lot more for the world than that billionaire Gates, for one example. I think those who oppose ads (not many, it seems) need to re-evaluate.)
When first encountered, I thought, whats with these ads. After reading the article and comments I find that I have aquired a better understanding of web page layout and web site finance. WUWT is always a valuable visit. Thank you.
I may even click on a ad from time to time.
If people are capable of independent thought what does it matter?
Curious how virtually all the ads I’ve seen are to AGW sites. Is that because they are in a huge majority or is Google just not that smart?
Having given it a couple of days…
Keep the ads. No problems here and I’m glad to see you’ll get some revenue for your efforts. Two thumbs up!
The more I think about it (which admittedly hasn’t been a lot), the more I think you should eschew links to Alarmist sites. AGW gets quite enough publicity from the mainstream media. WUWT is one of a handful of sites fighting a rearguard action. Why give aid and comfort to the other side?
/Mr Lynn
“James P (03:37:21) :
Curious how virtually all the ads I’ve seen are to AGW sites. Is that because they are in a huge majority or is Google just not that smart?”
Don’t forget that Gore has $300,000,000 just for advertising… I don’t think that WUWT or CA’s budget can compare to that.
I say again, better put Banners on your sidebar instead of those Google Ads.
At this moment you’re advertising Dating Services here…
I don’t know, I think it is great that they put up alarmist sites. You can click on the “We Can Solve It” ad and transfer a tiny portion of that $300 million budget to were it would be put to better use.
Anthony,
I have postponed my response to the Google Adds at your site.
I think you can continue your experiment without any negatives.
I am using Firefox in a mode that suppresses the ads to text only and they don;t don’t interfere with your postings at all.
I even see advantages because now we are confronted with AGW sites and services we otherwise would have missed.
So my overall experience is POSITIVE.
I hope the adds will turn out positive for you as well.
This leaves me with thanking you for asking the opinion of your humble readers and posters. You and your team are doing a great job.
REPLY: good to know
Been away for a day or two. Didn’t even notice the Adsense inclusions, until I dropped in on this topic. Maybe I am just Adblind.
Chris, I’m the same way. I totally ignore Google ads. The few times I’ve clicked on them I’ve found them completely worthless. Often times you’re just taken from one link to another to another to another, never really getting anywhere, yet generating revenue for someone for clicking links.
Someone in another thread mentioned CO2 Cap and Trade, that some would become rich without actually providing any benefit or producing anything. Google ads are exactly like that to me.
The following was a good comment, which I agree with:
I noticed this was one of several comments along these lines.
Since I’m just here as an inquisitive (perhaps naive) learner, I look forward to your decision on this experiment. I’d like to be a better informed reader generally, and the site generously offers readers this opportunity. Since I know very little about what’s going on behind the scenes with these marketers, it might prove interesting to watch as some of the shrewder observers offer their comments on this. I’m pretty sure that advertisers are tracking folks’ movements and preferences. I noted above that all the ads here, on re-opening your site a second time, now target me from my home state and city. There were a few seconds of delay as the ads popped up, a process that can occupy up to 20 seconds on some pages with a lot of busy ads. During that delay, I am unable to scroll away from the most obtrusive ads; also, I’ve noticed it takes longer for the “real” content of these pages to appear. Since this contagion is now pandemic, I’d say your site represents a relatively mild case.
Thanks again for the great site and all your efforts.
You know, it is sometimes hard to distinguish between the sometimes outlandish WUWT images and the advertising images. The polar bear stories are attracting very (inintentionally) amusing ad images.
Anthony,
As a fanatic reader of your site I have to say that I do find the ads very obtrusive in cases. After a week I have seen several full color flash and picture based ads. As long as the ads are just text based they are OK with me. Otherwise I would suggest to get rid off them, they are very annoying!