Ads in Blogs
First, let me say, I have no problem with anyone who wants to run ads on their website and/or blog. In fact, I would like to see more people derive income from their online work. Having said that, I don’t see how ads in blogs will ever be a huge source of income for the personal publisher. They remind me of banner ads of the early web. Beyond some minimal brand awareness these ads aren’t all that effective.
Ultimately, it is all about intent. When I search I am actively looking for something. That’s why a relevant ad next to search results is so effective. When I read RSS feeds, I am passive and thus not looking for anything. The ad is almost always an interruption. After seeing them enough you start to unconsciously tune them all out.
There lies the next big opportunity for the web. How can personal publishers make money? The key is to somehow merging genuine recommendations that lead to a sale. For example, if I review movies and link those reviews to say Netflix or Amazon, then those sites should find a way to compensate me for that traffic. This kind of referral traffic has to be worth more than average banner ad…
Hi,
I just read your article about ads in blogs. Your’re right, it’s hard to place a good ad if people isn’t really looking for something special. About earning money: yes, that may be one reason to have an ad on your page, but there my be another reason too:
With my bookalizer service (http://www.bookalizer.com/?l=en) you can put ads similar to amazon self optimizing links to your page. The idea: you put your own amazon partner tag in the ad or you let our tag in the ad. By that, all provisions payed by amazon are going to a charitable organization that is donating all the money to a good cause (especially to Plan International).
If you are interested, please try it. Feedback about that kind of ads is appreciated.
Regards from Germany,
Christian