Before I start I want to say depending on how blockchains work and networks like steemit, this article may become obsolete. But for now ads are not going anywhere anytime soon, so let's discuss ways of making them less annoying.
BUT ALL THE COOL KIDS ARE DOING IT
The world we live in now is one of transparency. Everyone understands, in some extent, how advertising works. We are not stupid. We know you want us to buy your drink, wear your shoes and see your movies. You want us to see cool people using your product and have us see enough of it that it appears in our dreams. But we don't need to be tricked. And we don't want to be lied to. You don't need to "sell" us anything. If you present people with something they might want to try or buy, they might actually be happy to click on the ad or watch the commerical. The process should not be one of selling but informing, and letting people decide for themselves. But in order to do this the advertisement needs to match the content where the ad is being placed.
IT COMES DOWN TO THE WHERE
Look at movie theatre previews. Everybody loves them. A lot of people even make sure they show up early so they don't miss them. Technically those previews as just ads. Ads for other movies you might want to see. But why do people enjoy them? Because the odds are that the people who are at the movies are people who like to go to the movies. This is an audience who is interested in what is coming up next. However when you start to play commercials for other prodcuts before a film, it may lower the chances of a captivated audience. It is the same regardless of media and topic. If you are watching a golf tournament, previews about other golf events might be of interest. But a commercial for a new clothing line has a higher chance of being a miss. Same for ads on websites, I have seen ads on social media that I would never click on, ads for products that I would have no use for.
A.I. DATA MINING FTL
Now please don't take this as permission to go through all my data so you can find my favourite band and show me ads of other songs I might like. I kinda like having some semblance of privacy on the net. I don't want ads aimed at me but aimed at the area of interest that the content I am viewing is about. Because you never know what new things, in a field that you are interested in, that you may like. And maybe I will dislike what you are showing me and be annoyed that you are keeping me from the content I am trying to view. Which brings me to my next point.
IN YOUR FACE! IN YOUR FACE! IN YOUR FACE!
Ads can become a problem when they obscure or delay your viewing of the content you want. Even if the ad might be something you are interested in, it does not need to block the content at hand. Personally I don't mind click ads on the side of a website or links that I should check out. It can take away from the aesthetics of the site but as long as they do not hinder what I am reading, looking at or watching, then go ahead and tell me, with honesty, what you want me to look at next.
That is just my two cents. How do you feel about ads?
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