Adsence starting flash ads

random flash ads

[krod]

I have noticed a large increase of flash ads on random websites, including mine. These are mostly for movies, and cars. Here is a snapshot of one:
<snip>
It happens to be a flash ad of the new movie "Aeon Flux"

[edited by: Jenstar at 8:04 pm (utc) on Nov. 29, 2005]
[edit reason] No screenshots please [/edit]

[Mr_Fern]

I was receiving flash ads in September and October as well, both for movies. RollBounce and Domino. If anything I say it's a good thing. I received nice EPC's during the time those ads were running.

[Jenstar]

They have been running flash ads in AdSense since back in April. There is a thread on it here somewhere, but I can't find it :(

[krod]

I don't like the idea of google running different types of ads without our consent

[Knappster]

I don't like the idea of google running different types of ads without our consent

You consented when you agreed to the terms at sign-up.

[Jenstar]

I don't like the idea of google running different types of ads without our consent

Yes, you agree to let them (although I do wish you could opt out of flash ads). But they also did an announcement to publishers about them back when they launched, too.

[Leosghost]

(although I do wish you could opt out of flash ads)

Why? if it appears they convert better is true?

[Jenstar]

From a visitor experience. Ever been on a dinocomputer and end up on a page with anything Flash? Or slow as molasses dialup and hit something flash? A few of my sites have audiences that would have a huge number of visitors on dinocomputers and/or dialup. So I would like the ability to opt out of flash.

[TheDonster]

While I agree the speed issue is definitely a concern, the eye appeal of a well done flash ad is very tempting to click, even if only for curiosity. I had a very well done flash ad for perfume on my site yesterday and it makes an amazing change from the text ads. Given spelling mistakes and poor copy I've seen in a lot of text ads, flash overcomes these problems with a stronger presence and immediate attention grabber. If Google's network has the ability to expand this, I think a lot of sites would see an increase in revenues.

[martingale]

You should only get these ads if you enabled image ads right? I run "text" ads only on my site and I would be pretty upset if anything other than text appeared.

I have content on my site that people think about while reading and I would not want whirring and buzzing flash ads distracting my readers until they are done reading.

[morpheus83]

Flash ads are way better than static ads. With a much better CTR

[martingale]

Thank you buy I am not interested in CTR at all costs, I am interested in creating a site that people want to bookmark and return to. I am not interested in ugly flash ads that distract my users from the content.

Perhaps unlike some here, I try and run a quality site that people will enjoy and benefit from. I believe in the long run that will maximize my revenue, whatever the fad-of-the-week is. I simply do not want flash ads on my site.

Further to Jenstar's comments above... I have Google Analytics running on my site and it tells me interesting things like what my viewers have. It turns out that about 20% of them are dialup, and about 20% of them have 800x600 screen resolutions. (Interestingly, it also tells me that they are not the same 20%, there is less overlap than you would think!) Losing 20% of my clicks just because someone thinks flash is cool is not what I want on my site.

[hyperkik]

Opting for text-only ads is out of the question? Or blocking flash advertisers as you see them?

[david_uk]

I have text ads only as the default and have never seen an image or flash ad there. I'd assume this is because I selected that option.