Deck ads on The Blue June 3, 2014 3:37 PM Subscribe
In the ongoing effort to decrease our reliance on Google's Adsense and stabilize ad income, we'll be soon showing ads for The Deck (same as we currently do on the front pages of all the sites) on MetaFilter discussion thread pages, for both logged in, and logged out users on desktops (mobile will continue to show Adsense ads). It will look something like this screenshot.
As a member, you are welcome to hit the hide link if you would prefer not to see them, but generally I find them to be pretty interesting ads about design/development tools and products. The agency behind them came to me with an offer to pay us more than Google was bringing in (which is a relatively small amount, as most revenue is derived from Ask MeFi), but it would be nice to reduce our reliance on Adsense broaden our income streams. MeFi is paid a flat rate for these ads and they're based loosely on traffic, and not on clicks, so no need to click them to keep the lights on.
As a member, you are welcome to hit the hide link if you would prefer not to see them, but generally I find them to be pretty interesting ads about design/development tools and products. The agency behind them came to me with an offer to pay us more than Google was bringing in (which is a relatively small amount, as most revenue is derived from Ask MeFi), but it would be nice to reduce our reliance on Adsense broaden our income streams. MeFi is paid a flat rate for these ads and they're based loosely on traffic, and not on clicks, so no need to click them to keep the lights on.
Do it. I don't pay enough monthly to not see ads. And... I trust this site above all other sites, so help me Google.
posted by artof.mulata at 3:41 PM on June 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by artof.mulata at 3:41 PM on June 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
I turned the Deck ads back on earlier this year, having forgotten that I'd turned them off via the handy link under each ad.
As far as ads go, they are not horrible. I'm occasionally even compelled to click on one.
Cheers to decreased AdSense reliance.
posted by carsonb at 3:42 PM on June 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
As far as ads go, they are not horrible. I'm occasionally even compelled to click on one.
Cheers to decreased AdSense reliance.
posted by carsonb at 3:42 PM on June 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
Oh no, wait, I wasn't seeing them because of AdBlockPlus but I greenlighted MetaFilter and was happy to see the ads again.
However, I just clicked the 'hide' link attached to them and was dismayed that I couldn't figure out how to undo that. Help?
posted by carsonb at 3:44 PM on June 3, 2014
However, I just clicked the 'hide' link attached to them and was dismayed that I couldn't figure out how to undo that. Help?
posted by carsonb at 3:44 PM on June 3, 2014
If you log out and back in, you'll kill the "hide Deck Ads" cookie and they should re-appear.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 3:46 PM on June 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by mathowie (staff) at 3:46 PM on June 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'm sorry.... do what?
posted by carsonb at 3:46 PM on June 3, 2014 [28 favorites]
posted by carsonb at 3:46 PM on June 3, 2014 [28 favorites]
I've gotten so used to the little ads on the front pages that I pretty much assumed they were already in the threads themselves. No problemo here.
posted by Curious Artificer at 3:47 PM on June 3, 2014
posted by Curious Artificer at 3:47 PM on June 3, 2014
Whatever works to help Metafilter stay solvent and awesomely modded.
posted by bearwife at 3:47 PM on June 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by bearwife at 3:47 PM on June 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
He said log out, request a new password, then log back in
posted by phaedon at 3:48 PM on June 3, 2014 [18 favorites]
posted by phaedon at 3:48 PM on June 3, 2014 [18 favorites]
I just white-listed MetaFilter as well. Now I am going to have half written AskMe questions follow me around the web like: Don't you want to ask how to get lotion stains out of a poodle?
posted by shothotbot at 3:51 PM on June 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by shothotbot at 3:51 PM on June 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
I generally like the ads in the Deck, as they tend to be relevant, tasteful and informative, but every now and again, they'll let something tawdry and/or annoying through, and I'll hide them until I switch browsers or upgrade to a new system.
The sooner ad networks realize they're taking a machete to their golden goose the second they decide not to filter for quality, or decide that short-term cash isn't worth the long-term suicide, the better.
Not to get all "Get off my yard!" or anything, but I liked the old in-line ads MacInTouch did in the Before-Before time - a single line of text, describing the service or product, with a link right to it. I found a lot of cool stuff I actually wound up buying that way. Even so, the Deck is better than most, as it's interesting without being entertaining.
You know what's really entertaining? To buy something on Amazon, and be flooded with ads for competing products for weeeeeeeks after the purchase. Animated flashing ads, in the banner and side-bar. What's the point in that apart from driving me into the arms of ad blockers?
posted by Slap*Happy at 3:58 PM on June 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
The sooner ad networks realize they're taking a machete to their golden goose the second they decide not to filter for quality, or decide that short-term cash isn't worth the long-term suicide, the better.
Not to get all "Get off my yard!" or anything, but I liked the old in-line ads MacInTouch did in the Before-Before time - a single line of text, describing the service or product, with a link right to it. I found a lot of cool stuff I actually wound up buying that way. Even so, the Deck is better than most, as it's interesting without being entertaining.
You know what's really entertaining? To buy something on Amazon, and be flooded with ads for competing products for weeeeeeeks after the purchase. Animated flashing ads, in the banner and side-bar. What's the point in that apart from driving me into the arms of ad blockers?
posted by Slap*Happy at 3:58 PM on June 3, 2014 [2 favorites]
I'm Lynsey and I heartily endorse this action! Logged out (gasp!), logged back in and there they are!
posted by Lynsey at 4:08 PM on June 3, 2014
posted by Lynsey at 4:08 PM on June 3, 2014
Good point about the AdBlock. It's very easy to whitelist MeFi.
posted by islander at 4:12 PM on June 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by islander at 4:12 PM on June 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
Do it.
At this point I mostly tune out the Deck ads anyway, and every once in a while I will see one for a product or service I would potentially use. So the ads are doing their job regardless of what that particular job is at any given time. If they're helping Metafilter stay afloat, bring em on!
posted by Sara C. at 4:45 PM on June 3, 2014
At this point I mostly tune out the Deck ads anyway, and every once in a while I will see one for a product or service I would potentially use. So the ads are doing their job regardless of what that particular job is at any given time. If they're helping Metafilter stay afloat, bring em on!
posted by Sara C. at 4:45 PM on June 3, 2014
I just whitelisted *.metafilter.com in AdBlock+ and Ghostery. *deep breath* Right, let's do this ... ADS AHOY!
posted by barnacles at 6:12 PM on June 3, 2014
posted by barnacles at 6:12 PM on June 3, 2014
I often see deck ads for things that are the New Hotness in agile development. I've clicked on the ads a few times when I see something interesting. I even installed an advertised development tool once.
Nothing terrible has happened.
posted by double block and bleed at 6:46 PM on June 3, 2014
Nothing terrible has happened.
posted by double block and bleed at 6:46 PM on June 3, 2014
Metafilter: Nothing terrible has happened.
posted by Chrysostom at 6:59 PM on June 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 6:59 PM on June 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
Out of curiosity, can the Deck serve specific ads to specific threads? Because the Deck does ads for Toca Boca, and every. single. AskMe thread. about apps for children feverishly (AND CORRECTLY) extols Toca Boca's apps. If clicking through a Deck ad gives makes Metafilter money, it should definitely look for the keyword "Toca Boca." :)
(Toca Boca is one of the very few aimed-at-children app companies that doesn't try to lure your child into mis-clicking to sell them stuff, and their games are awesome.)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:02 PM on June 3, 2014
(Toca Boca is one of the very few aimed-at-children app companies that doesn't try to lure your child into mis-clicking to sell them stuff, and their games are awesome.)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:02 PM on June 3, 2014
Look if it's not a Chevy Tahoe on a screaming green background I don't even want to see it.
posted by shakespeherian at 7:26 PM on June 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by shakespeherian at 7:26 PM on June 3, 2014 [3 favorites]
I always hold my breath when I logout for fear that Matt won't let me in again.
posted by arcticseal at 7:49 PM on June 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by arcticseal at 7:49 PM on June 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
Leave it to Metafilter to find ads that are tasteful and unobtrusive. Okay by me.
posted by JHarris at 8:09 PM on June 3, 2014
posted by JHarris at 8:09 PM on June 3, 2014
So I turned the deck ads back on, and I was feeling a bit dubious about my ability to tolerate them and was just about to hide them again when I got an ad that said in big bold letters
BE A
H E R O
SAVE A WEBSITE
I'm so sorry! I don't know what I was thinking. I'll keep them on.
[slowly backing away from the computer]
posted by Westringia F. at 8:10 PM on June 3, 2014 [9 favorites]
H E R O
SAVE A WEBSITE
I'm so sorry! I don't know what I was thinking. I'll keep them on.
[slowly backing away from the computer]
posted by Westringia F. at 8:10 PM on June 3, 2014 [9 favorites]
I like the deck ads, they are relevant to my interests and needs. They're probably the only ad I've clicked on purpose.
posted by Iteki at 10:15 PM on June 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Iteki at 10:15 PM on June 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
Are you going to make it possible for mefi users to buy adspace on metafilter? Or can they go through Deck and place ads exclusively or including metafilter?
I rarely do ads outside of Evil Facebook, but I would consider sponsoring a mefi ad for my org for example because it would be sort of a double-yay way to support.
posted by viggorlijah at 12:18 AM on June 4, 2014 [5 favorites]
I rarely do ads outside of Evil Facebook, but I would consider sponsoring a mefi ad for my org for example because it would be sort of a double-yay way to support.
posted by viggorlijah at 12:18 AM on June 4, 2014 [5 favorites]
Yeah, despite what I said about ads in another thread, I whitelist metafilter.com in Adblock along with some other sites I trust and want to support. This is not a big deal for me, and Deck seems to be relatively benign. Hope it helps.
I agree with viggorlijah that direct sponsors is a good idea, in addition to Deck and Adsense... Maybe it's already possible? ISTR a few of those types of ads here, but can't recall if my memory is accurate.
posted by krinklyfig at 1:37 AM on June 4, 2014
I agree with viggorlijah that direct sponsors is a good idea, in addition to Deck and Adsense... Maybe it's already possible? ISTR a few of those types of ads here, but can't recall if my memory is accurate.
posted by krinklyfig at 1:37 AM on June 4, 2014
The mockup looks great, except for one thing: what's this blue background? I thought everyone read metafilter in its one true professional white background.
posted by Ghidorah at 3:06 AM on June 4, 2014
posted by Ghidorah at 3:06 AM on June 4, 2014
I love The Deck ads. I regularly regret clicking away from pages because I catch them out of the corner of my eye right as I'm navigating away, then spend eons scrolling through their list of current advertisers to find the one I spotted.
So, uh, thanks for the ads? Keep'em coming?
This sounds kind of facetious. I assure you I'm being sincere.
posted by third word on a random page at 3:30 AM on June 4, 2014 [4 favorites]
So, uh, thanks for the ads? Keep'em coming?
This sounds kind of facetious. I assure you I'm being sincere.
posted by third word on a random page at 3:30 AM on June 4, 2014 [4 favorites]
Pretty good idea right there, if I do say so myself.
posted by GrapeApiary at 6:08 AM on June 4, 2014
posted by GrapeApiary at 6:08 AM on June 4, 2014
I love The Deck ads. I regularly regret clicking away from pages because I catch them out of the corner of my eye right as I'm navigating away, then spend eons scrolling through their list of current advertisers to find the one I spotted.
I also do this sometimes! Other advertisers could learn from them. And should.
posted by rtha at 6:13 AM on June 4, 2014
I also do this sometimes! Other advertisers could learn from them. And should.
posted by rtha at 6:13 AM on June 4, 2014
Um maybe it's me but I can't see the screenshot ...
This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it. The document tree is shown below.posted by tilde at 6:24 AM on June 4, 2014
<Error>
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<Message>
The bucket you are attempting to access must be addressed using the specified endpoint. Please send all future requests to this endpoint.
</Message>
<RequestId>019F8918B50344BC</RequestId>
<Bucket>junk.mefi.us</Bucket>
<HostId>
rvbrROXbdTlVZFlJCJfOWD2XkS/LNygC5qKRLiHH279aM/PypfEj9F2nfLUmvwg/Ojj+vY3RauQ=
</HostId>
<Endpoint>junk.mefi.us.s3.amazonaws.com</Endpoint>
</Error>
It's you. Or at least, it's not me - I can see the screenshot. Now, anyway.
posted by rtha at 8:12 AM on June 4, 2014
posted by rtha at 8:12 AM on June 4, 2014
Sometimes I actually buy things from Deck ads because most of the time they're well-targeted.
Sometimes they are appalling, but not often.
If only most advertisers would make cute little ads like theirs instead of gross things. Half the time I click on the Deck ad because the icon is adorable.
posted by winna at 8:28 AM on June 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
Sometimes they are appalling, but not often.
If only most advertisers would make cute little ads like theirs instead of gross things. Half the time I click on the Deck ad because the icon is adorable.
posted by winna at 8:28 AM on June 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
Yep, it's me. It doesn't like Chrome with my dozen or so extensions running. IE naked is fine.
posted by tilde at 8:33 AM on June 4, 2014
posted by tilde at 8:33 AM on June 4, 2014
Metafilter: Nothing terrible has happened.
Yeah, about that…I think there may be some evidence to the contrary, though I grant it's a tiny sample among a great sea of data supporting your assertion which I happen to agree with.
posted by wenestvedt at 8:38 AM on June 4, 2014
Yeah, about that…I think there may be some evidence to the contrary, though I grant it's a tiny sample among a great sea of data supporting your assertion which I happen to agree with.
posted by wenestvedt at 8:38 AM on June 4, 2014
Metafilter: finding the tiny sample among a great sea of data.
posted by alms at 8:41 AM on June 4, 2014
posted by alms at 8:41 AM on June 4, 2014
Deck ads are better than most: both more useful content and generally less annoying. But I'd accept almost any ads, if that was what stood between having and not-having this place.
posted by easily confused at 9:35 AM on June 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by easily confused at 9:35 AM on June 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
Just another voice saying that I don't mind The Deck ads. I prefer tasteful ads as much as is possible. Definitely worth it to provide more financial support.
posted by SpacemanStix at 9:44 AM on June 4, 2014
posted by SpacemanStix at 9:44 AM on June 4, 2014
Can any Ghostery user tell me if there's any way to whitelist just the Deck ads, and just on metafilter.com? It looks like I only have the option to allow Deck ads everywhere (i.e., on other domains) or to allow all (not just Deck) ads/trackers on metafilter.com (which is a no-go because of Quantcast / Chartbeat trackers).
posted by introp at 9:54 AM on June 4, 2014
posted by introp at 9:54 AM on June 4, 2014
Have you considered RequestPolicy? The 1.0 beta is pretty great.
posted by Chrysostom at 10:29 AM on June 4, 2014
posted by Chrysostom at 10:29 AM on June 4, 2014
The Deck's offerings, while not necessarily addressing my interests, are some of the best web ads out there - nice, unobtrusive design, informative and succinct content, and blissfully scam-free promotions. With the rest of the web promoting more and more listicle-link churn and blatantly fraudulent or illicit sites, this is another area where MeFi is the best.
What's the chance that Metafilter will occasionally slip in its own ads for its branded items for sale on Topatoco? Or would that be considered unfair promotion?
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:53 AM on June 4, 2014
What's the chance that Metafilter will occasionally slip in its own ads for its branded items for sale on Topatoco? Or would that be considered unfair promotion?
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:53 AM on June 4, 2014
Making "hey, we have merch btw" something we advertise a little more is something we could certainly think about, particularly if we get around to creating some new stuff, though that'd be probably independent of rather than supplanting Deck stuff.
posted by cortex (staff) at 11:10 AM on June 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by cortex (staff) at 11:10 AM on June 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
I don't mind The Deck ads. I prefer tasteful ads as much as is possible.
Agreed. Getting financial support for metafilter from ads that are occasionally worth clicking on while also spiting google? Win-win-win.
Are you going to make it possible for mefi users to buy adspace on metafilter?
Vote #1 quidninc kid for the chance to see campaign ads for the quidnunc kid!
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 12:21 PM on June 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
Agreed. Getting financial support for metafilter from ads that are occasionally worth clicking on while also spiting google? Win-win-win.
Are you going to make it possible for mefi users to buy adspace on metafilter?
Vote #1 quidninc kid for the chance to see campaign ads for the quidnunc kid!
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 12:21 PM on June 4, 2014 [2 favorites]
Making "hey, we have merch btw" something we advertise a little more is something we could certainly think about
Two weeks ago I would have been all: Actually, even at 100% markup you could never sell enough to matter. But 3048 subscribers in its probably worth a shot.
posted by shothotbot at 12:58 PM on June 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
Two weeks ago I would have been all: Actually, even at 100% markup you could never sell enough to matter. But 3048 subscribers in its probably worth a shot.
posted by shothotbot at 12:58 PM on June 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
"Wait til your mother gets home to look at the flag queue young lady!"
posted by shothotbot at 2:55 PM on June 4, 2014
posted by shothotbot at 2:55 PM on June 4, 2014
The Deck is responsible for me learning about Toca Boca, and for that my daughter thanks you.
posted by Elementary Penguin at 3:08 PM on June 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Elementary Penguin at 3:08 PM on June 4, 2014 [1 favorite]
Good!
posted by persona au gratin at 2:42 AM on June 6, 2014
posted by persona au gratin at 2:42 AM on June 6, 2014
FWIW, I googled today due to work related quandaries, with some very specific question parameters, and MetaFilter popped up on the second page of results.
posted by Packed Lunch at 6:45 AM on June 6, 2014
posted by Packed Lunch at 6:45 AM on June 6, 2014
introp: “Can any Ghostery user tell me if there's any way to whitelist just the Deck ads, and just on metafilter.com? It looks like I only have the option to allow Deck ads everywhere (i.e., on other domains) or to allow all (not just Deck) ads/trackers on metafilter.com (which is a no-go because of Quantcast / Chartbeat trackers).”You'll have to do it for each subsite individually, but next to the the global on/off slider, there is a little silver button you can click to allow that item for the current domain.
I have to say that I'm glad I re-enabled the Deck ads. I've found out about four or five things that I've passed on to my business partner just this week.
posted by ob1quixote at 1:50 AM on June 9, 2014
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posted by box at 3:40 PM on June 3, 2014 [20 favorites]