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?
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.
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.
I am joining in the rejoicing! Looks great.
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