Politically Offensive Banner Ads

[TheAuldGrump]

I just wanted to make note that the current crop of banner ads supporting this site include a series of ads that I consider to be in very poor taste. Specifically the ones calling for a vote coming up in the State of Maine to overturn a law that promotes gay rights.

Given that this site has a 'No Political Discussion' policy I find the existence of these ads on this site to be especially annoying.

The Auld Grump

 

[Morrus]

We don't have any control over the Google ads - and each ad is served selectively to specific people based on a number of targeting factors (for example, I've never seen that ad and I doubt I ever will).

When subscriptions hit a viable level, I intend to drop Google ads completely. I find them annoying, too.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Then be aware that it makes your no politics stance pretty darned hypocritical 'no politics unless we make money off of it'.

I do know that Google used to have a way for websites to send in complaints about offensive banner ads - and if you don't see the banner ad that I am writing of, do you want me to post a link so that you and others know just what you are being used to promote?

I suspect that I will not be the only one offended. I am not conservative, and in no way support the stance against gay rights that Google is now promoting via your site.

The Auld Grump

 

[Mark]

Might need a screen shot.

 

[Morrus]

Then be aware that it makes your no politics stance pretty darned hypocritical 'no politics unless we make money off of it'.

Please keep personal insults out of it. Thanks.

I do know that Google used to have a way for websites to send in complaints about offensive banner ads - and if you don't see the banner ad that I am writing of, do you want me to post a link so that you and others know just what you are being used to promote?

That might help; I think we'd need to identify the ad more specifically to ask Google to block it. I think there's a way, because people managed to get the Evony ads cut down.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Please keep personal insults out of it. Thanks.



That might help; I think we'd need to identify the ad more specifically to ask Google to block it. I think there's a way, because people managed to get the Evony ads cut down.

It is not a personal insult, or at least was not intended as such - it is an observation, that you have an on site policy, and your advertisers are breaking it. It is not you breaching it, but allowing it to stand would be hypocrisy, pretty much by dictionary definition.

There is actually a series of the advertisements - this is one of the more middle of the road ones. One is more offensive, at least to me. All are trying to influence a vote on civil liberties. Specifically Question 1 on the Maine Ballots

The Auld Grump
*EDIT* It is worth noting that there is no provision for teaching about Gay Marriage in the law that they are seeking to overturn, the law simply allows for Gay Marriage to take place. The advertisement is using scare tactics to influence the vote. It is also worth noting that these are the only banner ads that have been showing up when I visit the site - Ivony would be an improvement.

*EDIT 2* Feel free to delete the image, and this thread, if you can manage to deal with the problem. I find the ad distasteful in the extreme, three of my players are gay, so my annoyance is, perhaps, understandable.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Agreed. That really is in extremely bad taste. To say the least. Also yes, re: the 'apolitical' stance, etc.

Oh AdBlock Plus, how I love thee. (Hey, there's always a bright side, right?)

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Agreed. That really is in extremely bad taste. To say the least. Also yes, re: the 'apolitical' stance, etc.

Oh AdBlock Plus, how I love thee. (Hey, there's always a bright side, right?)

I actually use Adblock for just about every site except for EN World - which was a good thing when the advertising was nearly entirely for gaming companies. (Another exception is The Miniatures Page - I swear, I have clicked more than half of their banner ads. On topic advertising rocks.)

The Auld Grump

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Then be aware that it makes your no politics stance pretty darned hypocritical 'no politics unless we make money off of it'.

Ads are not posts.

Though I would prefer on-topic advertising, too. Heck, it doesn't even have to just be Pen & Paper / Table Top roleplaying games stuff. Videogames would also be fine to me. And genre shows/DVDs/movies or computer-stuff.

 

[Morrus]

I may have some good news for you. I'm going to be replacing the Google ads (well all EN World advertising, actually) with gaming ads from an ad network run by Ed Healy. So this problem should solve itself pretty soon!