Recently I read a post regarding the use ads in blogs by Bryan Veloso of Avalonstar who wrote “it feels wrong to see a blog with ads plastered all over it,” and wondered at how much serendipity there is in life. Only a few hours prior to reading his complete post — including comments — I had read not one but two blogs where I found the ads particularly irritating, and in one case obtrusive enough that I stopped reading.
Since I can’t see the sense of advertising for the competition on anyone’s business site and I think using ads in a spiritual or personal site is offensive I guess I just don’t see the value (other than negative) of using them.
It is particularly annoying when the blog is by a writer and the ads interrupt the flow of the writing. Who, better than a writer, should know and respect the way people read and the adverse impact interruptions have on retention and comprehension of content?
As a layout and design specialist perhaps I’m overly sensitive to the impact but it truly is off-putting for me and when I get tired of being abruptly and rudely interrupted I will simply stop reading.
What then did the ad really achieve?
Even though ID is not a “personal” or “spiritual” blog, you can rest assured that you will not be seeing Google adsense here. I think it’s tacky. If I want to sponsor a company I’ll do it verbally or by adding a small blurb of my own on the side panel. If I want to promote someone’s book, or their service, I’ll manually do so. I’ll even add a small graphic image if I think it fits in with my overall look and isn’t obtrusive.
I’m glad Bryan of Avalonstar posted his feelings. I thought maybe I was the only one out here who found this deluge annoying.
Hope you are having a good Sunday.
Char
