Well, there are these new ads that load prior to some threads being opened. Those "wait 15 seconds before thread loads or skip the ad" types. Generally, I find these very intrusive. I understand guru needs the money and all to run the site, but these ads aren't that useful on a forum when I'm openning like 15 threads at a time and I keep seeing those ads pop up.
Furthermore, on slower systems, this could really slow down load times of the forums, which prior to the server move a few months ago was already pretty bad. Do we really want to revert back to the old way where it took 90 seconds to load a thread?
New Ads Prior to Loading Threads
HawkofStorms
Inde
Apparently we are trying out some new advertising. As, for all of you who are regulars at Guru, we have been known to do from time to time.
bilateralrope
I'm not seeing these click-through adds in Firefox. These are the extensions I'm running:
Inde
bilateralrope, i think right now it's just testing so things are being turned on and then off. which might explain why some were seeing them nearly every page load, then others only got them once or twice. can't be sure but when it's confirmed i'll post more details. 
Winterclaw
Funny enough, I got my 3rd click-through tpday clicking on this thread.
I don't overly mind them if GWG needs them, so long as the frequency isn't too high.
I don't overly mind them if GWG needs them, so long as the frequency isn't too high.
Feminist Terrorist
Today I got my second pop up ad while browsing this site. It's the only one I was at, so I know it wasn't from some other place. Is this part of the testing?
bilateralrope
Quote:
Originally Posted by Winterclaw
Funny enough, I got my 3rd click-through tpday clicking on this thread.
What browser are you using ?
Since I have a feeling that I'm currently immune to whatever implementation they are using, despite not having anything designed to block them. For me click through adds aren't yet common enough to be worth blocking (I can see that changing though), the only adds I hate are flash and popups, both of which I do have blocked.
Since I have a feeling that I'm currently immune to whatever implementation they are using, despite not having anything designed to block them. For me click through adds aren't yet common enough to be worth blocking (I can see that changing though), the only adds I hate are flash and popups, both of which I do have blocked.
kzap
Were testing all ads full blown, its a necessary step, give us you're feed back. A lot of places like GameSpot, GameSpy, IGN run these ads, now I understand why, they are necessary in this industry. Popunders do not show if you are logged in and are limited to times a day. We may be able to limit the annoying ads to unregistered users, the best way to give feedback is to take a screenshot of the advertisement, let us know if you were logged in and how you found the ads. Remember now we have 4 servers with 4x the power of our previous servers and we are hosted at Rackspace, the #1 managed hosting provider in the world.
ValaOfTheFens
I've been getting popunders AND popups as well as the huge ads. Blarg. I should just become an Elite Guru and settle this problem once and for all.
I pwnd U
I have only ever seen them in the OT so far. Normally when I try to load the Off-Topic Thread. The huge ads are really the most annoying by far, they are causing a delay in load times because you have to load the ad then the page. Do not want.
evilseabass
Quote:
Originally Posted by kzap
Were testing all ads full blown, its a necessary step, give us you're feed back. A lot of places like GameSpot, GameSpy, IGN run these ads
...which is exactly why I dont visit those sites or any like them. The ads are intrusive and extremely annoying. There is no faster way to lose visitors than to use this type of advertising.
Inde
I suppose, to counter that, there's no faster way to lose visitors then shutting down a site completely from lack of funds as well. 
Ads are necessary for any large gaming sites. Without ads guru, IGN, gamespot, Incgamers and more would not be here for the gaming community. From time to time we all must test out new ads, new campaigns, see what works what doesn't. This certainly isn't the first time we've switched up our advertising style or campaign. And it's the internet, people expect ads, any one who has ever surfed the web has received ads. This shouldn't be THAT big of a shock. It's a couple of seconds of ads, it's not every page load, and as you can see we welcome your constructive feedback and suggestions... as we always have.
Edit: Just as an FYI pop-ups are only for non logged in users.
Ads are necessary for any large gaming sites. Without ads guru, IGN, gamespot, Incgamers and more would not be here for the gaming community. From time to time we all must test out new ads, new campaigns, see what works what doesn't. This certainly isn't the first time we've switched up our advertising style or campaign. And it's the internet, people expect ads, any one who has ever surfed the web has received ads. This shouldn't be THAT big of a shock. It's a couple of seconds of ads, it's not every page load, and as you can see we welcome your constructive feedback and suggestions... as we always have.Edit: Just as an FYI pop-ups are only for non logged in users.
evilseabass
Quote:
Originally Posted by Inde
I suppose, to counter that, there's no faster way to lose visitors then shutting down a site completely from lack of funds as well. Ads are necessary for any large gaming sites. Without ads guru, IGN, gamespot, Incgamers and more would not be here for the gaming community. From time to time we all must test out new ads, new campaigns, see what works what doesn't. This certainly isn't the first time we've switched up our advertising style or campaign. And it's the internet, people expect ads, any one who has ever surfed the web has received ads. This shouldn't be THAT big of a shock. It's a couple of seconds of ads, it's not every page load, and as you can see we welcome your constructive feedback and suggestions... as we always have.
Maybe I wasnt clear enough. I'm only referring to these big, full-page interrupt ads that started in the last day or so. The banners at the top (and in the first post when I'm not logged in) are fine. I can live with those. But the big ads that pop in and interrupt my browsing are very annoying, especially when the skip option doesnt appear and I am forced to watch the whole damn thing.
I realize that you have to support your business with advertising, but do it in such a way that it isnt intrusive.
edit - Also, I'm not referring to popups. I'm referring to the LG ad that actually adds another step before I can get to threads or sub-forums. That has got to stop asap.
Ads are necessary for any large gaming sites. Without ads guru, IGN, gamespot, Incgamers and more would not be here for the gaming community. From time to time we all must test out new ads, new campaigns, see what works what doesn't. This certainly isn't the first time we've switched up our advertising style or campaign. And it's the internet, people expect ads, any one who has ever surfed the web has received ads. This shouldn't be THAT big of a shock. It's a couple of seconds of ads, it's not every page load, and as you can see we welcome your constructive feedback and suggestions... as we always have.
Maybe I wasnt clear enough. I'm only referring to these big, full-page interrupt ads that started in the last day or so. The banners at the top (and in the first post when I'm not logged in) are fine. I can live with those. But the big ads that pop in and interrupt my browsing are very annoying, especially when the skip option doesnt appear and I am forced to watch the whole damn thing.I realize that you have to support your business with advertising, but do it in such a way that it isnt intrusive.
edit - Also, I'm not referring to popups. I'm referring to the LG ad that actually adds another step before I can get to threads or sub-forums. That has got to stop asap.
Inde
Well we may have different options here. Such as limiting to them to being show once every 24 hours, etc. But those decisions come after some trial runs to see how it's working. Thank you for your feedback though evilseabass.
Steboy93
I've been getting pop-ups practically everytime i click on a thread, i have to say it's geting really annoying.
Inde
Are you logged in when it happens? Pop ups, I'm told, are only for users who are not logged in. I have yet to receive any pop up.
kzap
ya popups seem to show regardless of being logged in, were going to test also with all the intrusive ads only for unregistered
Feminist Terrorist
I am logged in. Always logged in. I have a pop up right now.
http://aa.tribalfusion.com It's a Netflix ad. :/
I understand needing to try out different revenue schemes, but please, no pop ups, and no quivering, flashing ads. Those things are horrible and very offensive. The pop ups are less offensive, but still very high up there.
http://aa.tribalfusion.com It's a Netflix ad. :/
I understand needing to try out different revenue schemes, but please, no pop ups, and no quivering, flashing ads. Those things are horrible and very offensive. The pop ups are less offensive, but still very high up there.
DamFiNo
I am logged in and I always log in to forums. NEVER had a pop-up (yet).
Also am not yet a subscriber...
LOL! but I do have a pop-UNDER...
Also am not yet a subscriber...
LOL! but I do have a pop-UNDER...
HawkofStorms
I'm getting the pops up when I'm logged in as well.
Frankly, I'm rather disappointed. Thus stuff will slow down Guru to the point were I will no longer be able to use it at all on my 56k connection over the summer.
Frankly, I'm rather disappointed. Thus stuff will slow down Guru to the point were I will no longer be able to use it at all on my 56k connection over the summer.
quickmonty
Ads, in general, I can deal with. This new one redirects me to an ad page. Very irritating. I've been a long time member of Guru and Online. I recently stopped visiting Online because of pop-ups that obscured the navigation buttons, and then the forum listings. If the current 'redirect to advertising page' continues then I have no choice but to end my 32 month relationship with Guru.
Coridan
for me the only thing that is frustrating is the read thru adds...when you click on a thread and an add comes up first. I wouldn't mind it if it was 1 add for every 25 clicks or so....but 1 every 5-10 clicks is getting fairly old...especially if the add loads slow for some reason.
Zinger314
Congrats, Guru, you finally found a way to get rid of me. 
These ads annoy me way, way too much that it's not worth coming here on a daily basis.
(Cue "OMG, the adds are keeping Zinger away, add more!")
These ads annoy me way, way too much that it's not worth coming here on a daily basis.
(Cue "OMG, the adds are keeping Zinger away, add more!")
Martin Firestorm
The ads suck. Worst I've seen at any site--most intrrusive, most annoying. They pop up mutiple times per day instead of the one time only many sites give you, and they're harder and take longer to close than any others I've seen. You blew it here Guru.
wakefield
Well its been fun. Pop ups and those full-page ads are a sure fire way to lose members.
Extinguisher Nex
Agreed, a little over the top. I have auto login turned on and I'm getting frequent pop-unders and the click through ad every 5-10 pages. I don't begrudge you guys a little revenue and the old ads were fine but this makes the site almost unusable.
Legion Magnus
Annoying ads at the top of the page I can live with. Pop-ups/unders will drive people like me away. I understand the site has to be self-sufficient, but ...
yarddog
Quote:
Originally Posted by Extinguisher Nex
Agreed, a little over the top. I have auto login turned on and I'm getting frequent pop-unders and the click through ad every 5-10 pages. I don't begrudge you guys a little revenue and the old ads were fine but this makes the site almost unusable.
QFT
12 letters
QFT
12 letters
Inde
Thank you all for the feedback! As I said, and as you have proclaimed being long time guru members, we have run new ad campaigns and styles to see what works and what doesn't more then a few times now. I'll get back to you as soon as I know if any adjustements will be made in terms of frequency, who will view them (logged in/logged out) as soon as I know.
Inde
All right, and I do have an update. We'll continue with this ad test until the 10th, then change to less intrusive adds for 7 days, then we'll be doing a trial run of another ad network for 7 days after that. So please continue giving us feedback, changes you'd like to see, what you don't like, etc.
Tender Wolf
I got some popups earlier but I can't remember if it had me signed in or not. They seem to have stopped now. Yay! 
I bet I was browsing my posts and contest or screenshots not logged in by mistake and that's what did it. If they don't show up when we're signed in I can tolerate them.
I bet I was browsing my posts and contest or screenshots not logged in by mistake and that's what did it. If they don't show up when we're signed in I can tolerate them.
Legion Magnus
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tender Wolf
I got some popups earlier but I can't remember if it had me signed in or not. They seem to have stopped now. Yay! I bet I was browsing my posts and contest or screenshots not logged in by mistake and that's what did it. If they don't show up when we're signed in I can tolerate them.
At the moment it doesn't seem to matter whether you are logged in or not. I am and have been logged in and I still get pop-unders (tribal fusion). It sounds like we have a couple more days of the current test.
I'd be interested to know when all the ad tests will be done (a date actually) so I can then make my determination whether to continue using Guru. It's been a great free resource, managed well by people such as Inde and Dralspire, but the use of obnoxious ad techniques is ruining the Internet, IMO. No offense intended, Guru has to do something to remain vital, but the direction it takes will be scrutinized by many on this issue.
Standing by to see which path Guru takes ...
I bet I was browsing my posts and contest or screenshots not logged in by mistake and that's what did it. If they don't show up when we're signed in I can tolerate them.
At the moment it doesn't seem to matter whether you are logged in or not. I am and have been logged in and I still get pop-unders (tribal fusion). It sounds like we have a couple more days of the current test.I'd be interested to know when all the ad tests will be done (a date actually) so I can then make my determination whether to continue using Guru. It's been a great free resource, managed well by people such as Inde and Dralspire, but the use of obnoxious ad techniques is ruining the Internet, IMO. No offense intended, Guru has to do something to remain vital, but the direction it takes will be scrutinized by many on this issue.
Standing by to see which path Guru takes ...
Snograt
I have auto-login and still get the initial TribalFusion pop-under. I guess it loads in the few seconds it takes to log in.
Pain in the arse, but at least it's just the one. Pop-unders are evil though, any advertising that uses stealth like that must be bad.
Pain in the arse, but at least it's just the one. Pop-unders are evil though, any advertising that uses stealth like that must be bad.
Stupid Shizno
i dont get them much. must be a connection thing.
but i know google has a toolbar to block almost every popup and popunder.
but i know google has a toolbar to block almost every popup and popunder.
Smurf Minions
I don't see any problems of ads, but pop-ups .....
Kong
I haven't had any pass through pages, but I have had quite a few popups that, although are being blocked by firefox, immediately popup the moment I click anywhere on the guru page. Even if it's not a link.
I've been signed in for allof them.
I've been signed in for allof them.
CDittric77
It's been on and off again intrusive for me; sometimes I don't get them at all, other times I get them every 10 clicks or so....today it hasn't been too bad.
Crimson Flame
I get pop-unders every once in a while. I know when it's coming, too, because I'll get a notification saying a pop-up has been blocked, then when I click anywhere, BAM! Pop-under.
As for the full page ads, I get those every 5 or 10 clicks...it gets really noticeable when I'm moderating Ventari's.
As for the full page ads, I get those every 5 or 10 clicks...it gets really noticeable when I'm moderating Ventari's.
Diddy bow
i get one or two, close them with leet infuse skills though 
, not enough to be a pain really.
, not enough to be a pain really.
evilseabass
Quote:
Originally Posted by Inde
All right, and I do have an update. We'll continue with this ad test until the 10th, then change to less intrusive adds for 7 days, then we'll be doing a trial run of another ad network for 7 days after that. So please continue giving us feedback, changes you'd like to see, what you don't like, etc.
Its December 11th, and I'm still getting the LG interrupt ad every few clicks...I thought this was going to be fixed yesterday.