Ads on DU?, scratching head.

[azul]

Looking at a CA races thread, http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x452456 , there are 2 ads for Meg Whitman at top and side margins.

Is this DU's deal with google to let any ads on their site? Even ones supporting republicans, like against the site's policy?

Does google so target me here? The only tie that I can think of would be my congressman's email list, because he is R? Or does everybody get the hypocritical ad-site treatment here when not signed in?

[Atman]

1. The ads aren't as targeted as you might think.

Google scans the pages the ads will go on and serves them up according to the text on the page. So, if there are a bunch of threads about Meg Whitman, it's servers send out ads about Meg Whitman. You are allowed to block specific ads, but it's tougher to block types of ads. IOW, it would be relatively easy to tell the ad server to block any ad that has "Meg Whitman" in the text, or coming from certain domains. It's a lot tougher to block generic "Republican" ads. I'm repeatedly amazed at how bent out of shape people get at the ads that appear here. They're just ads. When my TV displays a feminine hygiene product ad, I don't get upset at the station because they should know I'm a man and don't need tampons. I just ignore the ads. You should, too. Unless they're for something/someone you like.

.

[sharp_stick]

3. Interesting, thanks

I was wondering how Google served up it's ads but was too lazy to figure it out on my own.

[rurallib]

4. I think it is wonderful that old Meg is supporting DU

[Ineeda]

2. answer to your last question: Yes. n/t

[budkin]

5. This site is loaded with ads for GOP, less taxes, lower government. It annoys the shit out of me

[karnac]

6. Let them waste their money.

it's another penny they can't spend elsewhere

[MiniMe]

7. Since you are a donor, you can turn google ads off

You can Select Options from the icons at the top of the page, then preferences, then set show Google ads to "no".This is only an option for a donor since donating offsets the need for google ads revenue.

[Phx_Dem]

8. I think it's a good thing. Better to have GOPers waste their money

advertising on a Democratic site then on a Republican one where it might actually do them some good.

Seems pretty dumb on their part, but what else is new.

[backscatter712]

9. Click on the ads!

It costs the Rethugs money, that money pays DU's bills, and you get comedy gold from looking at their web site!

Everybody wins! :evilgrin:

[Old Troop]

10. It takes money to run a site like this. Furthermore the ads face an audience

that ignores or sneers at them. So they are handing money to Skinner that might otherwise be used to actually convince someone else.