Why'd we make that change? We want to help lensmasters earn more royalties as a co-op.

The Google ads weren't doing a lot in the sidebar, so we're testing their performance in a new location.

Based on how the relocation works -- and lensmaster and reader feedback -- we'll decide whether this becomes permanent. Thanks for the early feedback!

Hate to say it, JaZ, but I feel the same way. I have a lens almost ready to go live, one that's very important to me and part of a larger project, but I'm going to wait until this ad business is settled one way or the other. I planned to publish it tomorrow, but now I'm just going to sit on it.

That's right, my impression is that ever more people are using Adblock on their Firefox.

Optional placement is a great idea. There's a big difference between lenses that are commercially oriented, where the top ads wouldn't be out of place, and strictly informative ones, where blatant advertising is totally inapropriate.

I am really sad about this. I waited until the end of the day, hoping the nonsense would be over. I agree with y'all that I don't have enthusiasm for this. With all the crap on the page you can't even tell what the lens is for without scrolling down. Worthless.

You (Squidoo) have hooked us by being about content. If you keep this approach, you'll have to recruit new lensmasters who have different priorities.

Angela

Last edited by AngelaHarms (06/02/2006 6:22 pm)

To all concerned: we are definitely listening. We are merely testing the waters to try something new. Please bare with us.

Hi

I would be interested to know how much of an increase in income it results in.
If alot, then I am all for it

Wuming, I might tolerate it for the lenses I already have, but not for some still upcoming. The blatant commercialism would undercut them severely, especially knowing that there simply aren't any possible relevant ads. This morning I'm thinking again (for the first time in a long time) about hosting, domain names, etc.

I am adding my voice to the people who say - "Ads on top = YUCK"

Particulary because on at least two of my lenses the ads are completely inappropriate and even offensive.  For example, I have a lens for the Catholic Church in my community and the ad that comes up says:
Accused Catholic Priests
List of Those Accused of Sex Abuse Also Secret Church Documents
www.BishopAccountability.org

I think the ads devalue the whole purpose of lenses providing useful information.  At least if they're along the side-bar they don't interfere, but across the top is terrible.

My 2 cents.
Joanne
http://www.AskJoanne.com

AngelaHarms wrote:

What bugs me the most is that on 1024 x 768, the ads push the content so far down that you can't even tell what the page is doing. Do the developers have higher resolution screens? (Surely they test on several resoulutions.)

Why is the layout so narrow anyway? The ads could be in some of that wasted space on the left side.

Angela

You mean you haven't noticed, Angela, how you could fit skyscraper banner ads down those sides?

That was the pessimistic part of my brain responding.  The optimistic part thinks the site probably works and scales for people who still run 15" monitors at mid-range resolutions like my Dad.

Really, I'm perfectly fine just watching and seeing what happens for now.

relache wrote:

Really, I'm perfectly fine just watching and seeing what happens for now.

LOL, a submissive voyeur!

Anywho, I agree about using that wasted sidebar area for the ads. The lenses are waaay too vertical for comfortable reading already.

JaZilla wrote:

relache wrote:

Really, I'm perfectly fine just watching and seeing what happens for now.

LOL, a submissive voyeur!

submissive?

no

http://www.squidoo.com/footworship