Today, I found out quite by accident that WordPress has been running google ads on my blog without my knowledge and without payment to me for the last couple of months. These ads are completely hidden from me, although at least one reader in Fresno (my blogging buddy and friend Firefighter Mike) can see them.
I guess I’ve hit the blogger big time or something. I don’t like the fact that I have no control over these ads or which ones are displayed. I don’t like that it might look as if I am endorsing or giving preferential treatment to one local business over another. I am trying to find out how to resolve that and the lack of payment for hosting advertisements.
One way, is to sign up for ads myself, which I just did, but I am not sure that is the best way. I don’t know that I will have much, if any, control, and I would still have to share advertising profits 50/50 with WordPress. I have been proud of the fact that bigsurkate has been commercial free, completely independent and self-sufficient. That might have to change in order to keep blogging.
Another possibility is to migrate my entire blog over to my own site with an independent host. I can have that done for $99, and save all content, and supposedly my standing with google. This is a bit expensive, and I am not confident about the loss of content. As to standing – well that is both a blessing and a curse, so not a particularly big issue, unless I am selling advertising space.
So, in the meantime, bigsurkate is evolving and changing, but the content will not change. It is not going anywhere, or if it must, you will be redirected.
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In the right column, 2/3rds down the page, between 'archives' and 'blog stats'- there are 3 "flickr" picture ads. Obviously not part of the blog, and easily ignored. No big deal.
I have a free Go-Daddy website. The system is really annoying and not easy to use, very minimal in the choice dept. The deal is they run a Go-Daddy banner on top. If I sign up for ads, they run sponsors who contract with them. If and when visitors click on the ad, go to the designation, and PURCHASE from that spot, I earn 2 cents or something. So I haven't done it, you can't control the kinds of ads, maybe the genre. As to your site, there are some things that are on here that are so unobtrusive I never notice, or think, that's not Kate, and move on. You still look independent. And the format's classy.
FWIW, no obnoxious google ads in what I see. Do occasionally get some of those "suggestions" for other sites. From my perspective, it's great the way it is.
It is perfect just the way it is. I don't think you need to do anything. Migrating a site always sounds simple - until you do it. It is really difficult to get it back the way you want it - and then you have to pay to maintain it. You have a great site with free hosting. I vote for just leaving it as is.
It's all beyond ma ken... but IF IT AIN'T BROKE
If Wallyncats hadn't pointed out the flicker ads, I don't think I would have ever noticed them. That is to say, they are quite unobtrusive and to my mind, no big deal at all. I've never seen any google ads. My vote is, leave the site, it's right where and how you want it, very accessible and looks great.
I removed the Flicker images simply via my dashboard widgets. Deactivated the widget and no moe Flicker.
I agree that it's annoying to look at my site on someone else's computer and see the ads that are hidden from me! But Wordpress hosting is so convenient and (comparatively) reliable that I haven't wanted to change ...
I HAVE A FRIEnd in Hawaii who does web sites as a business. He uses godaddy for many customers and it is quite inexpensive. I can refer you if you like... I am sure he'd be happy to chat with you on skype or ?? and share his information............ terrific guy and one of best techs i've ever known as well as a close friend of ours
Kate:
I don't see any ads either, and I read your blog regularly.
Nicole