Due to all of the attention I’ve gotten (good and bad) over my PBS appearance, the people at wordpress.com have identified WUWT as a high traffic blog and have added advertising to the top and to the sidebar.
For example, my WUWT rank today out of millions of wordpress.com blogs is #2
I do get a little revenue when somebody clicks on those ads, but I have my limits.
Unknown to me and against my wishes, yesterday they added a fourth ad The “Content From Sponsors, by Taboola” which was particularly maddening, as it was nothing but schlock of the National Enquirer variety – entertainment/starlet news and such.
I asked them to remove that today, and told them in no uncertain terms that it was a deal killer.
I’ve considered moving to a private server, but after seeing the kinds of DDoS attacks Jo Nova gets on her website I’ve thought better of it since my wordpress.com hosting effortlessly repels such attacks due to it being cloud based – there’s no central point to take down WUWT. Still, I couldn’t tolerate those Taboola ads. Tough choice – I don’t pay for hosting, but get the benefits of a world class hosting and publishing platform.
I’m happy to report they removed the Taboola ads after I complained.
The others remain. We’ll see how it goes and I’ll review it again later.
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No need to apologize. People can download NoScript if they use Firefox which will also have the benefit of stopping them from getting new viruses if they are smart with it.
Maybe you can find something useful or amusing to do with the money if it turns out to be significant? How much does an ad in the New York Times cost?
Anthony,
The ‘no-ads’ add on from wordpress is inexpensive, and I’m sure the readership here would be happy to chip in for whatever you lost in revenue.
No apology needed from these quarters. I appreciate you efforts in elucidating as you do on topics various as you have and continue to do …
.
No problem … I just went to my internet options and listed taboola as a restricted site and … poof … their ads disappeared.
First World Problems…
I am sure the SS people and RC people could only dream of such exposure..
As you discovered from your PBS interview, raising your profile has costs as well as benefits. It’s part of the price of fame – and congrats on the high ranking of WUWT!
I doubt that your loyal readers will desert you because of a few banner ads, as long as they don’t run that picture of Scott Mandia in tights (shudder).
I had the Taboola ads this afternoon, but they have now disappeared. They were only a little annoying, and if you want them back for a little extra revenue I for one would put up with them.
REPLY: Thanks but no, you’ll see a guest post from Joe Romm before you see those ads again. – Anthony
It’s OK, as long as it brings in some income. I get UK originated adverts related to the solar panels and renewable energy.
P.S Do you know how many more visitors per hour/day/week/month you need to take the number 1 spot from Koreanindo?
“reples such attacks”?
I dont mind the ads an I sometimes click on them as a donation.
REPLY: repels…fixed
I’m happy for you to earn some dosh for all the work you do. Alternatively you could ask your big oil sponsors to increase their contribution. 🙂
Not a problem, but I appreciate your action.
I miss the old “Get a Master of Environmental Management Degree in Madrid” ads.
Ten months in Madrid to “pursue high-impact and exciting careers in environmental management, such as consulting, risk analysis, resource management, eco-innovation, green business, corporate social responsibility, communications, policy analysis and research, or lobbying and advocacy.” seems like a tempting deal.
Wow. You’re even beating Stoopid housewives. Maybe I should re-phrase that, You’re out-ranking Stoopid housewives. Now you know you’ve made it into the big time.
Heehee… Congratulations on being #2 Anthony, but think how embarrassing it’ll be if you get overtaken by STOOPID HOUSEWIVES…
:>
Michael
P.S. Re the ads: the gal wearing SnorgTees on the right of my screen at the moment is actually almost sorta cute. You should see the sort of “content targeted” advertising the Free Choice sites get hit with… THOSE would be solid grounds for complaint! LOL!
Ads don’t bother me either. I learned to tune them out long ago.
I’m seeing a Fluke instrument company advertisement. As an engineer, that is probably the best ad I’ve seen on the web (friom my point of view). A decent company that makes good equipment.
Gerry parker
Roy UK says:
September 20, 2012 at 11:43 am
P.S Do you know how many more visitors per hour/day/week/month you need to take the number 1 spot from Koreanindo?
The only problem is, half the people who read this post are now going to say wtf is Koreanindo and go visit it to find out. I wonder how many climate sceptics there are in Korea?
No need to apologize. When you read posts header is not visible anyway. And any income is worth having – now I know you get income from our clicks I will click on the ads.
What you do is hugely important, don’t get down with stupid ads.
Ads? There were ads?
I am really thinking I need a T-shirt that says “meh”. I may need to wear it with my underwear. Hmmmm…
So you’re funded by ‘big ads’ now? Hope it pays more than ‘big oil’! 😉
You could put up an advert for Adblock?
I can’t see any adverts, except for your own stuff in the rhs column.
LOL… Your right there one above stoopid housewives.
That is funny.
No reflection on the science at WUWT, rather the viewing public in general, Maybe not so funny afterall. So I figured maybe Anthony will overtake KoreanIndo. Weeelllll… there is a lot of pseudo fetish androgeny there. Maybe Anthony, we can only hope.
In the big scheme of things WUWT is competitive with chatty celebrity and creepy asian fetish sites. I am ok with that.
I use a mac and Friefox – can’t see any ads at all!