Ads

[sudoer]

I'm getting a overlay video ad for AFF in the bottom right corner of this page. Am signed in and all that ....

Edit: now getting video ads from third parties on other threads. Served by AdChoices. Getting the footer ads also.

 

[blackcat20]

I just had the AFF video when viewing this thread.

 

[Pushka]

Only on the iPhone and not the iPad.

 

[Denali]

I know the IT geeks tells us its an enhancement but....

 

[love_the_life]

Only on the iPhone and not the iPad.

Mine was iPad but didn't try laptop or phone.

 

[rainbowgirl]

Recently I was getting third party targeted ads when I viewed pages. Things seemed to have been fixed now. I know the ads were targeted to me because the were for Millers Clothing. I'm so used to seeing them on other sites it took me awhile to notice they weren't supposed to appear on the AFF pages.

 

[AisleSeat]

Now I have a ton of ads, using my laptop. These weren't here yesterday.

Edit: oh, my supporter badge is gone. I guess my renewal is being processed and in the meantime I go back to regular access?

 

[support]

Now I have a ton of ads, using my laptop. These weren't here yesterday.

Edit: oh, my supporter badge is gone. I guess my renewal is being processed and in the meantime I go back to regular access?

I have checked and on our end it says that it tried, but wasn't able to take payment. It will try again in 5 days, but if it doesn't work then – it'll cancel. You could optionally elect to cancel in Paypal and take out a new subscription to reinstate immediately.

 

[AisleSeat]

I have checked and on our end it says that it tried, but wasn't able to take payment. It will try again in 5 days, but if it doesn't work then – it'll cancel. You could optionally elect to cancel in Paypal and take out a new subscription to reinstate immediately.

oh ha, I changed cards. I think the same thing happened last year too. I cancelled and re-subscribed.

 

[support]

oh ha, I changed cards. I think the same thing happened last year too. I cancelled and re-subscribed.

Yes, it's a Paypal quirk, when you start a subscription it makes it very hard to transfer that subscription from one payment source to another.

 

[RooFlyer]

Ads at the footer and a video one in middle of screen in today's FF Gazette, this morning. iPhone

Edit and again when I just went back there.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

I understand the need to generate income, but the ads are completely out of control. Latest one covering ones notifications...

 

[CaptainCurtis]

@support Can you confirm if this is intentional? Surely you're not requiring a paid subscription for even the most basic of features...

 

[support]

@support Can you confirm if this is intentional? Surely you're not requiring a paid subscription for even the most basic of features...

You are able to browse and contribute to the forums for free, but you will see ads.

The ad you have an issue with in your screenshot intentionally appears on top of everything else, but only when you have scrolled part way down a page. Scrolling to the top of a page will see it appear lower and not block information you want to see.

If you block ads, you will see a banner asking you not to block them, and might even have restricted access to non-core forums, as set out in the Help section (look in the footer).

For anyone that has an issue with the level of ads, don’t forget I spend most of my day online and see all ads (to make sure they’re working). I don’t use an adblocker and have not set this account up with a subscription to remove the ads. I manage to get by perfectly fine.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

I manage to get by perfectly fine.

Apologies, but that is no longer my experience with the site. As you have acknowledged, by showing ads over a users notifications you are intentionally reducing the usability of the site. I don't know enough about ads to know if you generate more income by showing them more prominently (i.e. over the notifications), but I would certainly not describe this user experience as getting by 'perfectly fine'. Combined with the video ads that are now being used (that play automatically), I often have ~50% of my screen occupied by ads. Seeing one message per screen certainly doesn't motivate me to spend time on the site. Maybe I'll just re-enable AdBlocker and become a spectator once again, as opposed to a contributor. Anyway, I'll leave it at that.

 

[support]

Apologies, but that is no longer my experience with the site. As you have acknowledged, by showing ads over a users notifications you are intentionally reducing the usability of the site. I don't know enough about ads to know if you generate more income by showing them more prominently (i.e. over the notifications), but I would certainly not describe this user experience as getting by 'perfectly fine'. Combined with the video ads that are now being used (that play automatically), I often have ~50% of my screen occupied by ads. Certainly doesn't motivate me to spend time on the site. Maybe I'll just re-enable AdBlocker and become a spectator once again, as opposed to a contributor. Anyway, I'll leave it at that.

As I actually said, the very bottom ad hovers above every other element. But the top ads do not. Here is a screenshot of my browser window scrolled to the top. You can clearly see there's no issue. It's easy to misrepresent an issue to prove an agenda, but in this case you can see your notifications – when you are scrolled towards the top.



To the suggestion that it's easier to be a spectator and block ads, I would point out that the site costs money to run and maintain, and if you are getting something useful from it you have the option to see ads to help support the running/upkeep. It's a small price to pay and most sites show ads these days to cover costs. Equally small is the less than 14¢ a day cost to remove all ads. But doing neither perplexes me.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

As I actually said, the very bottom ad hovers above every other element. But the top ads do not. Here is a screenshot of my browser window scrolled to the top. You can clearly see there's no issue. It's easy to misrepresent an issue to prove an agenda, but in this case you can see your notifications – when you are scrolled towards the top.

I am sorry but I don't imagine anyone would say that having to scroll to the top of the page simply to view ones notifications is a positive user experience. So yes, site usability has diminished, and as you mentioned, that decision (to show the ad on top of everything else when you have scrolled part way down a page) has been made intentionally. Yet you're quick to call-out my agenda?

Equally small is the less than 14¢ a day cost to remove all ads.

May be small to you, but not to others. Particularly so in the current environment.

But doing neither perplexes me.

I have never once said I am against the ads. In fact, my initial post acknowledges the need for you to generate 'income' - not just to cover your costs, but to in fact make a profit if that is the sites objective.

if you are getting something useful from it you have the option to see ads to help support the running/upkeep

I derive a lot of benefit from the site, particularly at the moment while social interaction is limited. My frustration (or 'agenda' according to your quick judgement) is caused by the continual imposition of new ads that detract from what many would consider is reasonable.

 

[olympicwiz]

Virtually unusable for me - most of the time I am blocked - occasionally (like now) it unblocks - I guess time to look for a more dedicated wine forum.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Virtually unusable for me - most of the time I am blocked - occasionally (like now) it unblocks - I guess time to look for a more dedicated wine forum.
View attachment 255825

Support has advised you will need to scroll to the top of the page in order to view your notifications/alerts. Bizarrely, this ad is not a mistake but is in fact intentionally placed to cover notifications.

Red Bigot is a great wine forum! No obnoxious ads either

 

[Daver6]

Support has advised you will need to scroll to the top of the page in order to view your notifications/alerts. Bizarrely, this ad is not a mistake but is in fact intentionally placed to cover notifications.

Red Bigot is a great wine forum! No obnoxious ads either

Isn't that a paid forum though? Could just pay for AFF and have the ads removed