The Value of Pop Ups to Advertisers

[Samothdm]

Back when I used to work on WotC's advertising (in 2000-2002), we planned/placed some M:TG online campaigns for them. Even then we knew that pop-ups were intrusive and that people hated them, and yet the "click-thru rate" for the Magic Pop-Ups was many times greater than it was for the little banner ads. We had even higher CTRs for bigger, more dynamic ads that filled the user's screen while the page they actually requested was loading. I don't see those used as much any more. They were really expensive, anyway, so the Cost-Per-Click was higher than it was for the pop-up ads.

The key with pop-ups, as with any advertising, is to know who you're talking to. Some of those Magic players didn't mind the pop-ups, but we really only used them (for the most part) on really niche Magic fan sites. The people who went to those sites would often click on the pop-ups because the ad piqued their interest.

If, on the other hand, I was advertising that little spy camera and running the ad on a Magic fan site, well... that's a different story.

 

[Zappo]

I hope that pop-ups die painfully. I actively avoid buying stuff that is advertised through pop-ups or spam, even when I happen to be interested in it.

In part, it is that they are more secure. In another large part, it is because they are a smallish part of the market.

Though lots of people hold that Windows is also inherently less secure, due to certain design choices by Microsoft. Me, I think that both theories are true.

 

[reanjr]

I tried Firefox recently and liked it. However, I soon realized it was freezing my system forcing me to reboot often so now I am back to IE. I will probably give Firefox another try later (I think it is still considered beta).

I have read that another way to surf the web with a little more security is to get an Apple computer. I guess they are more secure that Windows machines.

I don't think Beta is the right word to use for an open source app...

Try Opera (http://opera.com). Fantastic browser.

As long as you are behind a firewall (hardware firewall preferably, like the kind found on your router), keep your system patched (automagically through Windows Update, preferably) and never use IE except for Windows Update, there really aren't any security problems with Windows.

I don't run anti-spyware, pop-up blockers, or anti-virus programs, but I never get any of these things.

I suggest avoiding Outlook/Outlook Express for e-mail as well. Opera's is a good replacement, as is Eudora and several others.

 

[NTZ]

I don't think Beta is the right word to use for an open source app...

Try Opera (http://opera.com). Fantastic browser.

As long as you are behind a firewall (hardware firewall preferably, like the kind found on your router), keep your system patched (automagically through Windows Update, preferably) and never use IE except for Windows Update, there really aren't any security problems with Windows.

I don't run anti-spyware, pop-up blockers, or anti-virus programs, but I never get any of these things.

I suggest avoiding Outlook/Outlook Express for e-mail as well. Opera's is a good replacement, as is Eudora and several others.

Thanks for the advice. I am currently giving Firefox another try and I will be sure to look into the other items you mentioned to avoid dependence on Microsoft products.

NTZ

 

[Teflon Billy]

I use Firefox exclusively. I have never had a pop-up with its built in pop-up stopper.

Same here. Seriously.

Not one.

 

[IronWolf]

I use Firefox and have been through all its iterations of various names (Phoenix, Firebird, etc.). I never see a pop-up ad and with the block images feature I can block ads from specific servers. A version or so ago I had an extension that let me selectivelly choose whether I wanted to play a flash image or not which cut out on all the flash ads. Firefox is great little browser.

And on tomorrow, November 9th, they are supposed to release version 1.0.

 

[RangerWickett]

I realized that the internet is a brand new biosphere, and like any new ecology, there is much turmoil and danger. A computer user asking "Why is there so much spyware?" is almost as silly as a caveman asking "Why are there so many lions?"

There are still lions today, but we do not fear them, because we have driven them from our lands, and armed ourselves with the tools to kill them if they attack. Perhaps we need an internet wild preserve, where we can put malicious code, so it can live on without endangering us. Regardless, we are quickly learning to defend ourselves from the predators of this new world, and eventually they will no longer be a threat except in the most severe circumstances.

 

[Teflon Billy]

I long for the day when I can press a button on my elaborate holo-keyboard and an antimatter beam will disintegrate the guy who wrote the code on the virus attempting to get into my computer.

There is not, in my opinion, a Hell low enough for virus-writing s.

 

[papa_laz]

I long for the day when I can press a button on my elaborate holo-keyboard and an antimatter beam will disintegrate the guy who wrote the code on the virus attempting to get into my computer.

ROFLMAO