• About

LIVEdigitally

LD now ad-free, are there more to come?

Posted on May 20, 2007 by Jeremy Toeman

I started this blog back in the Fall of ’04, and it was splattered with different kinds of ads from Google, Amazon, Commission Junction, and other services.  What can I say, I was young, I needed the money.  In all seriousness, back then, sites like Engadget were in their infancy, and there were few, if any, established models around blogging.

When I wrote in February about the lack of revenue in blogging (for the masses), I still looked at the few dollars I was making via Google and Amazon as covering hosting costs.  I’ve come to the decision that I think my site would look a heck of a lot better not sponsored by Gooooooogle.  So as of today, the ads are gone.  And there was much rejoicing (yay).

It also has me wondering: how many others are coming to this realization, and more importantly, how many of them will make this decision as well?  While I’m fairly ahead of the curve when it comes to technology and gadgetry, I wouldn’t really call myself a trendsetter (although I did predict the resurgence of both ABBA and Queen back in the 90’s – but then again I also thought we’d see a third Breakin’ movie by now).  But what if this is a bit of a trend?  What happens to the Googleopoly should independent content generators balk from the dribblings of revenue that AdSense provides?  And does this bode even worse for Microsoft’s recent $6 billion move?

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Reddit

Related

Posted in No/Low-tech | 4 Comments
« Can't Make it to Makers Faire :(
The Next 8 Companies Microsoft Should Buy »

4 thoughts on “LD now ad-free, are there more to come?”

  1. smorty71 says:
    May 21, 2007 at 7:19 am

    I think a lot of people see Google ads as something you “just do” if you have a blog. However, unless you’re making serious money from them, I think most sites are better off without them. I had them on my site for about a week before I got tired of looking at them.

    And you’re right, it will be interesting to see what happens when people get tired of serving up Google ads that make them no money.

    Reply
  2. Davis Freeberg says:
    May 22, 2007 at 10:13 am

    I wouldn’t be opposed to using the right ads on my own site, but Google ad words pay too little and look too much like clutter. I think you are better of growing your traffic (and influence) by keeping the site ad free and then monetizing it later, once people have already been hooked on your content. I don’t think people avoid sites with ads, but psychologically it probably does prevent some people from subscribing to RSS or coming back to visit the site again later.

    Reply
  3. Peter Semmelhack says:
    May 23, 2007 at 5:39 am

    I am joining in the rejoicing! Looks great.

    Reply
  4. Avi Greengart says:
    May 26, 2007 at 8:25 pm

    I have never had ads on my sites (HomeTheaterView and Greengart.com), only partly due to the clutter factor. Mostly I want to control which ads I take. So far, that’s been “none.”

    -avi

    Reply

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About

Jeremy Toeman is a seasoned Product leader with over 20 years experience in the convergence of digital media, mobile entertainment, social entertainment, smart TV and consumer technology. Prior ventures and projects include CNET, Viggle/Dijit/Nextguide, Sling Media, VUDU, Clicker, DivX, Rovi, Mediabolic, Boxee, and many other consumer technology companies. This blog represents his personal opinion and outlook on things.

Recent Posts

  • Back on the wagon/horse?
  • 11 Tips for Startups Pitching Big Companies
  • CES 2016: A New Role
  • Everything I Learned (So Far) Working For a Huge Company
  • And I’m Back…

Archives

Pages

  • About

Archives

  • January 2019
  • April 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • May 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • June 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007
  • April 2007
  • March 2007
  • February 2007
  • January 2007
  • December 2006
  • November 2006
  • October 2006
  • September 2006
  • August 2006
  • July 2006
  • June 2006
  • May 2006
  • April 2006
  • March 2006
  • February 2006
  • January 2006
  • December 2005
  • November 2005
  • October 2005
  • September 2005
  • August 2005
  • July 2005
  • June 2005
  • May 2005
  • April 2005
  • March 2005
  • February 2005
  • January 2005
  • December 2004
  • November 2004
  • October 2004
  • September 2004

Categories

  • Convergence (81)
  • Gadgets (144)
  • Gaming (19)
  • General (999)
  • Guides (35)
  • LD Approved (72)
  • Marketing (23)
  • Mobile Technology (111)
  • Networking (22)
  • No/Low-tech (64)
  • Product Announcements (85)
  • Product Reviews (109)
  • That's Janky (93)
  • Travel (29)
  • Video/Music/Media (115)
  • Web/Internet (103)

WordPress

  • Log in
  • WordPress

CyberChimps WordPress Themes

© LIVEdigitally
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.