Google Ad's
Ok, just because I don't have the money, nor am I able to give Internet Brands money to surf this site. It's members like myself and the other 10's of thousands of people on here that have made this site worth anything.

Trying to hold those Google ad's for ransom to try and make us join as supporting members, seems to be going too far.

Am I wrong in feeling this way? They're trying to use annoying ads to make us give them more money, as if they aren't getting enough already from the supporting vendors and the members who have chosen to donate money to this site, which is being run like a business.

This site used to be for the members and enthusiasts, not the money.

 

Kind of funny, I'm complaining about this forum, so Google advertises another corvette forum in my same post. Great business move!

 

Thankfully I'm blocking google ads, but from a business standpoint - this still hurts the relationship the original cf.com built with their supporting vendors.

Just by removing the ads for paying members, you are still subjecting over 50% (A rough guess of paying vs. non-paying members) to a competing google Ad. The #1 reason the supporting vendors are paying cf.com is to have Advertising to all cf.com members , not just paying ones.
This is still a slap in the face for the vendors. You're basically saying - Pay us money, you won't see the ad, but over half the forum will see your ad and a competing google ad. I have a feeling you'll be seeing a lot more vendors asking to get out of their agreement with cf.com.

 

Maybe it's not GOOGLE that dictates where the ads will be placed (?). That's probably where IB feels the ads will get the most exposure for the money.
I wouldn't have an issue with the ads being placed anywhere other than in the body of the forums. I see that EBAY now has a prominent ad as well. Maybe the GOOGLE ads could be placed in a similar fashion?

 

You're right, it's the placement of these ad's that are just leaving a feeling like this forum is being raked dry. It really leaves the impression that this is no longer a social club, but just another web page set up for profit.

IB should really consider listening to us, the members of this social forum.

 

I for one will not click on their stupid ads or ever purchase anything from anyone that advertises that way period!Internet Brands are out to ruin a good thing by ticking the members off with this kind of stuff!I'm glad Troy got rich on the deal but it's a real sell out the way they are now treating the members that made this a good forum.Remember ...with out any members this place would dry up quickly.

 

OK seriously..I can't surf the forum with that damn ad there.

 

I'm not trying to start anything here with the almighty moderators..........I just want to know if it's true?

I started a similar thread when I first noticed the adds in the posts.
I was then given some advice that they are sometimes banning people for these opinions and starting these threads..........

Problem is I like this site...........it has offered more information and helpful advice than any other forum I've been on.

I am generally very outspoken about my opinions, and do not want to have to be "careful" with what I talk about (I understand about language). This country was built on Freedom, freedom that has been slowly decomposing, I am reminded of the saying that: "Evil prevails when good men do nothing."

I just want an answer to my question...................has the corporate buy out included our freedom of speach?
Was my membership purchased because of my failure to be a supporting member?

If I am in danger of being banned could I at least be told so by a moderator as a warning?............so as I may learn to be a good boy, and take my opinions elsewhere and continue to come here for what will remain.

 

I am not a supporting member, nor an employee/shill of IB and certainly not a moderator. I think this discussion stands out from others...it hasn't been deleted/locked nor has a moderator even replied.
The difference might be that this discussion is in the Help Forum, rather than the General forum or any technical forum. Those that have replied so far have been respectful in expressing their opinions, whereas the other similar topics quickly grew into nothing but bitching about the advertising we all have strong feelings about. As long as we continue to maintain our cool heads and even offer alternatives to the management, this might stay open...
Again, I'll suggest to everyone to send an e-mail to IB via the link that was previously provided by the moderators.
Also, give the moderators a break, they're doing their jobs for gratis and probably don't like all the changes anymore than the rest of us.

 

The Moderators here on the forum, the ones who were moderators before the purchase all have their hands tied. They're doing a great job dealing with the cards that IB has dealt them.

 

There have been several threads in this section that I watch that pertain to IB. Indeed, I have let those run their course here. I am unable to do much about the transition other than forward opinions when I can or when I find something is broke.

None of the moderators have much say in the transition, but I will tell you they give their opinions to IB. Their job has been tough lately trying to maintain control. Some have taken a bad rap because of it.

The Steering Committee section is the leading candidate for member contact with IB, though that remains to be seen also. We just have to give it time for things to settle and see what we end up with. Hopefully that is something we can all live with.

 

We've seen the forum evlolve a lot in the last few years. Think I'll go to the 'other' forum and Whine, Moan, & Complain about it.