Saturn Opposite Uranus: People Divided - Might Bloggers Be Boycotted Over Political Ads Served By Google?
Ask the collective
I first time someone told me they were disturbed by a political ad on my blog (for McCain) I was surprised. But now it has happened 3 times (most recently on Astro Dispatch - check it out).
In all three cases the person who complained said the ad (all of these were McCain ads) interfered with their ability to enjoy content. I am just blown away by this.
Do people know that google serves the ads - the blogger does not select them? Will people boycott their favorite blogs over an ad served by google?
Fascinating and terrifying.
What do you think?
16 Responses to “Saturn Opposite Uranus: People Divided - Might Bloggers Be Boycotted Over Political Ads Served By Google?”
I don’t like the ads full stop. They distract from the content. But I wouldn’t stop reading because of them. And certainly not because of political messages. I prefer a political message to some of the other stuff google puts out.
Here is one person’s thoughts on this (sent privately)
Users are the most ungrateful motherfuckers in the universe.
Tell them that:
1. the ads are through Google
2. ads showing up pay the most
3. you could block the McCain ads, but then you’d make even less money
Um… I make $1.50 a day writing this blog. I think those ads will stay up… 
I hadn’t even noticed the ads on yoir blog, Elsa - I never look at ‘em, too busy reading the content and comments. But if I had noticed, it wouldn’t have bothered me, neither would it if you’d chosen to feature a political ad yourself, rather Google doing it.
I’ve made my own choice clear with an election sticker graphic on my own blog, and if readers notice it, don’t like it, and stay away - I’ll feel sorry, but it’ll remain as is.
I think it’s silly that readers want to dictate what ads are promoted on your website. If they want to limit ads on website, they can build their own website and readership, and limit the ads that they promote. 
And another thing — are we really so hypersensitive that the very mention of a name can cause us to become so distracted and upset that we can’t enjoy what we were here to read? Egads.
I’m in agreement with Twilight. I remember before someone complaining about the ads (this was a couple of years ago) and I had to actually go look for them,
Taurus Mercury: I go straight to what I came for.
One of the reasons why I have never been a TV watcher (even as a child) is that I’m unable to cope with small screens. This has extended to the computer. I can read, but I focus on one thing at a time and I can’t even watch DVDs on my computer without getting very anxious.
This makes me wonder if this is a function of my Mercury. I can get distracted while having a verbal conversation but reading/writing is extremely focussed.
I’m glad I have a built in ad-blocker.
Carielle - I don’t think they are distracted, it’s like a protest or something (I think). But fact is those ads are the only income I make from this blog and it comes nowhere near the cost to host the thing, never mind the 4 years I have worked here for nothing, save what people put in the tip jar which has only been up about 6 months.
My point in putting this up though was my amazement at the fervor… an ad for *not your candidate” makes you boycott? To me, that is incredible. If a political ad comes on a TV show do you turn it off? But bloggers particularly don’t choose the ads.. google sends them.
I ignore the ads. I can resize the screen if I don’t want to see the ads. I do that if when ads have distracting videos.
I figure the ads are paying my way to read your blog…
I’m the biggest liberal in the world and I didn’t even notice this. Who looks at political ads on an astrology blob, anyway? Elsa, you go ahead and take the money.
Er, blog not blob. Freudian slip?
I dunno, Stephanie; I think from now on when I write I’m gonna blob. yes sir, I like it.
I think it’s petty as hell.
I think you may want to change your font while you’re at it….maybe even your background color. haha.
i’ve had people complain about ads appearing on my sites before. not all of them understand that i didn’t choose them.
one thing i do tell them: if you don’t like an ad, don’t click on it. google tries to serve the ads the most that perform the best.
I pay no attention to the ads, and think people who want to gripe about them need hobbies!
I only pay attention to the ads when something is completely incongruous to the topic, and that only makes me smile. I try to click on a random ad when I visit but I often forget. Um, sorry?
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Nobody is paying me to pay attention to ads, so . . I’m not. I’m here for content.
Besides your political opinions ect. are your own. If you were to come out with a position diametrically vehemently horrifically opposite to my own I might go away disturbed for a couple of days, but I’ve learned so much and continue to learn so much I don’t see why I’d allow my own problem (with whatever opinion) to interfere with the benefits of continuing to read.