blocking affiliate ads

[maxgoldie]

I have been getting a lot of affiliate ads, and they all redirect to example.net. Would blocking that URL effectively kill them all?

[edited by: martinibuster at 7:05 pm (utc) on Sep. 26, 2006]
[edit reason] Removed specifics. [/edit]

[mzanzig]

Have a look at the ads with the Preview Tool. This (and only this) will get you the correct target URL that needs to be blocked.

[humblebeginnings]

Why do you wish to block affiliate ads?

[ann]

The only type of aff ads I block is the ones that seem to be a site that offers information and then, when clicked on, just throws a list of books on the subject at the visitor. Books or widgets, etc. You get the picture.

Just killed one of those plus one that had just 1 large picture, 3 small ones next to google ads and then nothing else but adsense all over the page.

Also a teeny bopper ad from someone who appeared to be renting a teen space. Why they would advertise I haven't a clue.

Sure wish we could get some "quality" scores on the content network.

Ann

[maxgoldie]

Ann pretty much expressed the problem for me. I have a lot of spammy ads with misleading copy. Most of them seem to be all redirecting to the one affilate broker.

I have seen time and time again that the ads with the best CTR and CPC are all from established national-brand advertisers. Therefore they seem to be the most relevant and in-demand ads for my traffic, which to me, is the name of the game. The spammy ads with the misleading copy hurt publishers and the users, IMO.

[gabby]

Have a look at the ads with the Preview Tool.

How does the preview tool work. Can you see where the ads on your site direct to without clicking on them?

[mzanzig]

Can you see where the ads on your site direct to without clicking on them?

Yes. It displays "potential" ads in a window and then you can select ads of interest and show the target URL of the ad. Just block the target domain to get rid of the ad. You may also click the ads in the window to examine the landing page, without inducing a paid click. The tool also lets you see which ads are being displayed in certain regions around the globe.

In short, the Preview Tool is a safe way to see what ads "might" display.

[maxgoldie]

[webmasterworld.com...]

[humblebeginnings]

ads with misleading copy

Sounds like a very solid reason to block ads!