Why filter URLs?

one question in mind

[macrost]

I have ran adsense for a while now, and it seems that pretty much everyone is now filtering url's. I just don't know why, sure it's your competitor, but if that person is going to go there, why not make a few cents outta it?
:)

Mac

[mack]

I think it comes down to not wanting to give your competetor exposure.

Think in terms of this...
You sell a widget at $100. An adword appears on your page "widget for $99" you might get $1 for the click but would you not rather get the $100 for the sale ;-)

Mack.

[richmondsteve]

macrost, I run a content site so none of the advertisers selling products and services are competitors. If I was running an ecommerce site I'd be hesitant to use AdSense, but I suppose that point is off-topic. I only block advertisers if their products/services aren't really relevant to my site or I don't want my site associates with the products/servives/company for any number of reasons - including poor ethics, misleading ad / destination page copy and poor reputation. I know plenty of other publishers who block advertisers for the same reasons.

[michel hyuston]

it's the samw even if you don't sale anything.
Let's say you give away free screensavers, maybe one of the add is about a webpage that gives away free screensavers aswell. But this one give away even more screensavers than you do.
Your client will more probably bookmark the other page than yours :D

[icedowl]

I also have a content site. The URL's that I've blocked are ones that toss out pop-ups or pop-unders, or ones that just don't live up to my own standards.

Edit to add: I've also found some very nice sites that have made it into my favorites list as well. :D

[annej]

I always filter out the spammy looking sites that just list other sites. I figure my regular visitors will get soured fast and quit clicking if the ads don't bring them to something of interest. I've also found ads that indicate they are for a well known department store then that store is just one of many affiliate links on the page. I really don't understand why Google approves such sites.