Seeing reports from some of you via the comments or email that you’re having issues with the Ads that are appearing on this site.
First, let me remind you that we have ZERO control over the ads that are on this site. We just tell WordPress it’s ok to have ads here (since that’s how we make the money to run this site), and they put the ads on our site. So everything you see…whether a video or not…that has that ADVERTISEMENT in gray written over it is from WordPress’ ad partners. Not us.
Note: I know some of you will use Ad Blockers. But just remember, as annoying as the ads are they help this site function. Without the ad dollars, this site wouldn’t exist. We don’t ask readers for donations & i’ve spent enough out of pocket dollars over the last few years that I’m done pulling my own money to keep things running. So without Ad revenue, we’d have to shut the site down.
There are a few types of ads we’re seeing reported:
Offensive Ads…content of the ad offends you or is inappropriate for this type of site.
Video Ads….these are ads that popup and run the video and basically take over the site. They hijack your scroll so you can’t move around the page or read comments. (not just auto-play videos, these are ones that actually prevent you from scrolling)
Site Redirects…this is something that happens. A popup appears and redirects you to another site or the app store.
So here’s the info on each, and what to do if you see them…
Offensive Ads….take a screenshot, right click and copy the URL associated with the Ad. Then report it to WordPress here: https://en.support.wordpress.com/about-these-ads/
Video Ads…. I have reported these to WordPress. Here’s the most recent update I received:
Our ads team has reported the issue to the advertiser and they were working on fixing it.
If the user does notice it, please encourage them to let us know via the link I sent you earlier. That way they can narrow it down to the particular advertiser.
So, if you’re still having problems with these ads follow the steps listed in Offensive Ads and report to WordPress here: https://en.support.wordpress.com/about-these-ads/
And finally…
Site Redirects…these are not caused by WordPress or this site. These are caused by Adware/Malware on your device. (yes even iOS devices are subject to this as well) My best advice here is to Google how to remove AdWare/Malware from your particular device and follow those instructions. I had the same issue in the past, and once I did the clean up it stopped.
Hope this helps create less frustration for some of you when visiting this site! And please remember to report the Ads directly to WordPress here: https://en.support.wordpress.com/about-these-ads/ and not to us. We have no control over them and sometimes it’s better if WordPress sees the report direct from the user impacted than from us.
Thanks!
-Alissa