Nobody wants to see those random phrases in posts that are linked to some obscure site for advertising purposes, nor do they want to see ads in the sidebar for 'how to lose weight fast and get the hot bod you always dreamed of' when they're on a BOOK blog. To me, it wouldn't make any sense and it detracts from the essence of what you are actually posting.
HOWEVER:
Personally, I don't think the ones that are targeted towards books that fit the blog audience is necessarily a bad thing, as long as it's not intrusive. Plus, the money raised can go back into the blog to fund giveaways for example. I get it - advertisers and authors want their product out there, but I can see how there is a whole heap of sticky issues when it comes to getting the balance right between bombarding your audience with promotional material when you first go onto a blog page, and still having the blogger and promoters benefit.
I recently asked the question on Twitter whether joining sites like Litbreaker or Blogads is worth it since they're free to join, and I've noticed other bloggers using them on their sites - though I do know that there is an 'application process' involved. I've also seen other book blog sites promoting ad space independently. When it gets into language like calculating based on 'clicks' vs. 'impressions' it can get a little confusing, and I feel like this whole advertising scene is a bit of a grey area in general. Basically, I'm undecided on whether I will advertise here or not - and I'm looking for some opinions!
What do you think of ads on blogs?
If you do use them - how did you set them up?
Are they worth it from a book blogger's perspective?
Fill out the survey or share your thoughts in the comments below!
Fill out the survey or share your thoughts in the comments below!
This is an interesting topic, Eugenia! Personally, as an avid stalker of blogs, I honestly don't even look in the way of ads. I'm not sure if ads actually help the ones who're promoting their stuff, but my eyes just float over the ads. I've never clicked on one. I've never seen one that interests me enough to think about clicking on it. So personally, I haven't tried selling ad spaces on my blog. (There's also the fact that I'm not allowed to since I'm only using free Wordpress.)
ReplyDeleteAimee @ Deadly Darlings
I know where you're coming from Aimee - they're not generally something I look out for, and to be honest I don't click them either, though I suppose there might be some people out there that do. Maybe.
DeleteI LOVE THIS DISCUSSION TOPIC. I've actually been considering this a lot and I've googled a bunch but I haven't actually done anything because I suck at making decisions. I would like to make money from blogging, if only to pay for the blog itself and maybe some giveaways. *shrugs* I have no problems at all with blogs that have advertising. I'm googling those sites you mentioned now to have a peek. x)
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it a good discussion Cait! It would be nice to have it on the side to ho back into the blog, though I am questioning if it's worth it. I guess it's one of those things where you just have to weigh it up. Hope you find something that works for you!
DeleteGreat topic! I've been thinking about this, because I might end up doing it eventually. I know a lot of people might not like ads, but really--what's the harm? As long as they're appropriate for the blog matter, they shouldn't distract from the actual blog content too much. Again, really great post. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Kara! It's definitely a thing to consider, perhaps even if not now - in the long term at least as a possible option. Keeping it relevant is definitely what's important.
DeleteThis is really interesting and is always a subject that pops up on blogs at some point or another, but my stance on it? I don't really have one.. It sounds crazy, but making money off blogging is never going to happen for us, it's not really something we're aiming for or (at the moment) that interested in. Yes, giveaways would be nice, but they don't make a blog, and that's important to remember.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if other blogs want to use them, I'm totally fine with that. I rarely follow links to purchase anyway, and if I do, it's only to look at the price, I never buy in the spot, so no money ever made. That and I use adblock, so even if the ads are there, I don't always see them. I'm all for bloggers doing what they want to do, and I'll still read the content I love from the bloggers I love, if it helps them buy their coffee in the morning or giveaway a book, then I say go for it! Great topic Eugenia, as always, your discussions always make me write essays in response..<3
That's definitely a great point Amanda - it's the content which wins out at the end of the day and should come through to readers, not all the giveaways. I don't usually make a huge effort to go through affiliate links either, which makes me question how many others actually would. Glad you liked the discussion, thanks for your thoughts :)
DeletePersonally, I am okay with ads as long as a) they relate in some way to the blog content and b) they aren't intrusive.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input Cynthia! Those two things are definite musts for me when it comes to seeing ads on blogs, otherwise it can definitely take away from the essence of it.
DeleteWell, to be honest, I use adblock on Chrome and so don't normally see the majority of ads on blogs haha. But I'm okay with others using them. I mean, good for you if it helps you get by that little bit. The only ads I really hate are the autoplay audio/video ones. So annoying.
ReplyDeleteI've heard a few people do that - which I suppose would take away from the point of putting up ads in the first place. I definitely agree with what you're saying about those autoplay audio/video types - I hate it when they pop up!
DeleteI personally use an ad blocker with Firefox, so most ads I don't see. I find they take too long to lead up on my laptop. I contacted one a few months ago myself though, as I heard of a few bloggers who used one and said they were wonderful. Big mistake. The guy was incredibly rude and almost surly and I was only asking a few questions about content for a young adult blog and that's the last and only time I'll be inquiring. I didn't actually apply, but he denied me anyway. Wanking jerk of a prick
ReplyDeleteGoogle have their own advertisement program, but I think with any of them, you won't earn much at all, same with affiliate links. I suppose if they're not intrusive then I'm all for it. If it means one more book you can use the extra money for, then it's surely a good thing.
Wow - that is pretty bad service, especially since you only wanted to ask some questions! That's definitely one way to turn someone off ever working with a company.
DeleteThis is the same as what I had in the survey but it's here in case anyone else wants to read it. I don't get much money from it but I think it's a nice way to support authors without having to do much. LitBreaker is wonderful for this. BlogAds is also great because you get to choose who you allow to advertise on your blog. I use Google Ads as a filler when I don't have any clients for BlogAds. Google is wonderful at targeting ads to the blog and the user. If there are no book ads to display, they know what the reader likes. Especially if they use Chrome. So if you see "how to lose weight" ads, it usually means that the site is about that or the user has looked it up before. Either that or it's not Google or Google is unable to receive data from you specifically.
ReplyDeleteAs for other blogs, I really don't mind it. I only use an Ad Blocker for YouTube. I think ads in the sidebar can actually look nice.
I do like the supporting authors part of it, which does give it some purpose since there really isn't much monetary gain in the end which is what I'm getting as the consensus here. Thanks for the info about the different ad companies and Google ads too. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts Laura, I appreciate it :)
DeleteThis is an interesting discussion as advertising is something I don't see too often in the book blogging community. I've never asked myself why book bloggers don't use ads on their blog to make money but if you can, why wouldn't you? If the advertisement isn't distracting or confusing the reader, I have absolutely no problems with ads.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of Litbreaker before but I looked it up and it looks like something I'd want on my blog. With Google ads, the ad could be about anything and if your blog is about a specific subject (like books) I feel like IF you are going to advertise something on your blog, it should be related to the content you create.
Exactly - I don't have a problem with it either if it isn't affecting how I read a blog and what I;m getting out of it. I definitely agree 100% with what you've said about relating it to the content, thanks for stopping by Kaylie :)
DeleteWhat an awesome discussion!
ReplyDeleteI personally don't care too much as long as it doesn't look cluttered and tacky. Headers that have ads underneath them are a serious NO. Like why? Ones on the sidebar, yes I can understand. Ads are great, as long as they're in places that make sense. For example, sites like YouTube has ads on the top right corner and it isn't distracting to what I want to see.
Thanks Nova! If the blog can still look streamlined and be focused on what it's saying and not have ads everywhere, then I don't mind seeing it. I can see where you're coming from, when it gets to the point where it's distracting, it does turn you off.
DeleteThis is a really great topic to discuss Genie! I went through this exact same thought process when I was deciding whether to put ads on my blog or not. I know a lot of people use Adblocker, so they don't see them, but there are a fair few that don't. I went with Litbreaker because it's relevant to my audience, and I can't say it gives me much at all...but at least it's a few dollars a month I wouldn't have otherwise right?
ReplyDeleteI think ads as long as they're relevant, not intrusive and flashing in your face that makes it really disconcerting to read the blog, and as long as they're not those random "plastic surgery", dating or weight loss ones (I mean we get bombarded enough elsewhere). At the end of the day, it's up to the blogger how they want to portray their blog.
Tanks Jeann :) I might consider Litbreaker - though I'm not sure they'd approve me because my follower base may not be large enough. It's definitely a personal decision by the blogger, and how they want people to see it. Keeping ads relevant and unobtrusive is key.
Deletewww.lite-rate-ture.com
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, ads can be useful to some like what Aimee said there are bloggers like her who don't mind the ads but I in fact do mind. It's actually one of the first things I notice. Most of the ads I see are very pretty so obviously it would be the first thing I noticed so it can be effective to some.
Thanks for contributing your thoughts - the aesthetics of the ad itself certainly has an impact on how responsive people are to it, either positively or negatively.
DeleteVery interesting topic love! Personal preference with the whole ad thing, really. I don't mind it on others. It's there blog, do what they want. For mine, I don't do ads. It's just not pleasing to my eyes and I don't like the look of it for me. But it definitely wouldn't hinder my experience with other blogs, if you get me?
ReplyDeleteI get what you mean - it can be a hindrance in how a blog looks, I guess it depends in part where they're placed/how big they are - or if you don't want them at all. It's definitely personal preference like you said. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts :)
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