More ads, suddenly?

[Lucien Nunes]

I've noticed across multiple devices in the last few days what seems to be an increase in advertising intensity. So much so on the mobile that I had to install a different ad blocker otherwise the forum was basically unusable, the ads completely drowning out the content. If it is a real change and not a result of my browsers being updated etc, then my impression is that it is counterproductive.

 

[Dan]

alright I'm back I'll take a look at this today. Not sure whats changed I havent even been on the site to make changes. I think Google just does its own thing these days!

 

[static zap]

strange varies 2 , 3 ,4 (mr naughty)

 

[Dan]

Right, I've possibly found the code that was doing it. It isn't actual ad-code, it's Google's tag manager which is a different thing but related. So it's cheeky really that they just assume I want ads on pages I've installed something else on.

But hey-ho.

Can you guys who have/had the issue clear your browser cache for me and reload the forum fresh? I might need to flush the cache my end with CloudFlare too but that causes other issues so if I can dodge it I will.

I'll hang around a bit wait for somebody to test it for me but I've got to go give my mum a lift in a bit lol

 

[Dan]

Going have to go out now but let me know if this persists after a clearing of your cache (you might not need to).

 

[static zap]

5 extra adds on a 4 post page .. (I

I h8 those google snoopers)
Unsure if that would be the case if they actually showed !

 

[mattg4321]

Still full of ads for me. Just cleared cache. iPhone

 

[Lister1987]

I've noticed across multiple devices in the last few days what seems to be an increase in advertising intensity. So much so on the mobile that I had to install a different ad blocker otherwise the forum was basically unusable, the ads completely drowning out the content. If it is a real change and not a result of my browsers being updated etc, then my impression is that it is counterproductive.

Im with you, inline ads I can just about tolerate but the full screen advertising attacks and the bars across the top of the screen that you HAVE too minimise to access the nav bar are too far.
The forum needs money to run, I get that, advertising brings in a form of income, I get that bit to RP it up like this is only going to have a negative effect on the membership and interaction.

Case on point re; nav banner

 

[Dan]

5 extra adds on a 4 post page .. (IView attachment 60713
I h8 those google snoopers)
Unsure if that would be the case if they actually showed !

Those are sponsors banners. Still not quite finished sorting them out.

I want it so that when the sidebar is displayed like that, they aren't then in the horizontal spots too. But then for those on smaller screens, no sidebar but then in-content instead.

So I'm still playing around with those.
[automerge]1599669270[/automerge]

Still full of ads for me. Just cleared cache. iPhone

Are yours Google ads or Sponsors banners?
[automerge]1599669364[/automerge]
Okay I've just cleared the cache on CloudFlare, our content delivery network that stores a copy pre-loaded for returning visitors. So it will reload again for you.

But I have a feeling they're sponsors banners.

 

[nicebutdim]

Right, I've possibly found the code that was doing it. It isn't actual ad-code, it's Google's tag manager which is a different thing but related. So it's cheeky really that they just assume I want ads on pages I've installed something else on.

That explains why I wasn't affected - no script blocks this by default.

 

[ipf]

Besides the right hand side window, I'm getting at least one advert between each post, it seems. It's been happening for a while now, I mentioned it a good few days ago in another thread.
Also, what's happened to the latest post for each section...that's disappeared, meaning having to navigate and open each one to see if any new posts. Getting a bit sick of it, I must admit.

 

[mattg4321]

They’re definitely not sponsors ads.
The dropdown one especially is very annoying and also the full page ad that sometimes ‘stops’ you loading a page properly

 

[static zap]

no script blocks this by default.

My No-script broke with a Firefox upgrade .. Hence Pri-Badg !
..oh the good ol days..

 

[nicebutdim]

My No-script broke with a Firefox upgrade .. Hence Pri-Badg !
..oh the good ol days..

Occasionally browser updates will affect extensions, but this is generally resolved very quickly. I had huge problems with Ad-Block plus after the last big Win10 update - so much so that I haven't been brave enough to reactivate it since.


I note that Ghostery is also successfully blocking Google tag manager and Google adsense. I see sponsor ads on the side bar and a couple of small sponsor banner ads, but none of the crazy ads that google like to insert at every opportunity.

 

[ipf]

They’re definitely not sponsors ads.
The dropdown one especially is very annoying and also the full page ad that sometimes ‘stops’ you loading a page properly

Meat free burgers, even.
edit....that's gone now.

 

[Dan]

Besides the right hand side window, I'm getting at least one advert between each post, it seems. It's been happening for a while now, I mentioned it a good few days ago in another thread.

Can you take a screen shot for me? - I've changed the settings so Esteemed don't see Google ads. Subscribers don't see any sponsors ads either.

So you're esteemed. So you should only see sponsors ads, which can be in post content. Usually near the top and bottom of a page if you're on a mobile. But the wider ones across the top and bottom of a thread (not in content) if you're on a desktop.

Also, what's happened to the latest post for each section...that's disappeared, meaning having to navigate and open each one to see if any new posts. Getting a bit sick of it, I must admit.

65+% of our visits are now mobiles. So they get the design these days primarily set for them. So I've got rid of what is clutter on the homepage in some sense.

What I can look into is a different style for mobile and desktop. That actually might get us around a few of these issues we're having with ads also. Thinking about it.

As a side note though, hit the what's new tab - that has all the new posts no matter what forum.

Then also on the homepage right at the top is this link....

"New posts whether read or not" - click that, it's a bigger list of threads in order of their last post, whether you've read it or not - so you know which ones you have replied to but still see them.

They’re definitely not sponsors ads.
The dropdown one especially is very annoying and also the full page ad that sometimes ‘stops’ you loading a page properly

Can you screen print this for me?
You just paste it in then if you're on desktop. Or on a mobile, screen print, then click add image and find it on your device and add it.

Meat free burgers, even.
edit....that's gone now.

Seems weird this. Screen print it me mate.