You've probably noticed that some of my websites don't have any AdSense units at all. Some people certainly have. They find it surprising.
After all, I make a living teaching people how to use AdSense. I get fat checks from AdSense every month. I think that AdSense is the greatest money-dispersing invention since the automated telling machine.
And yet I still don't put AdSense on all my sites. Neither should you.
Users don't mind seeing AdSense units on Web pages. They understand that the publisher has to make money. They know that they're getting the content for free and besides, Google ads are interesting too. That's why they work.
But ads can affect the relationship between the publisher and the reader. Ads on a page tell the reader that this is a commercial venture. They say, "I like talking to you, but you're what I'm offering my advertisers. If I don't make money from you, I'll have to do something else -- and you'll have to read something else."
There's nothing wrong with that situation. Everyone understands it and no one minds it.
But it is a very different message to one that just says, "I like talking to you."
That's what I want my sites that aren't running AdSense ads to say.
I want my readers to understand that I'm putting the content on those pages out there because I want to. There is a place for pro bono work in online publishing too.
But that doesn't mean I don't get anything out of it at all.
While it's true that I could be making a lot more money from those pages with AdSense ads, those pages do promote me as a person. That might not be my first intention but it is an effect and it's one I'm happy to make the most of. So I might not show ads through Google but I might show some of my own products.
Yes, that's still advertising but it's much more personal... and much less effective. I don't expect high conversions on ads for my books on my personal site, for example. But I do expect a closer relationship with my readers.
And that's worth much more.
You can do the same thing by launching one blog that's just an avenue for you to talk directly to your readers... and build that same close relationship.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
January 26, 2009 12:11 PM
Great advice Joel. I have learned so much from you on adsense and love reading what you have to say when it comes to where or if you should put adsense on your blog.
January 26, 2009 12:20 PM
Hi joel comm
This is a very interestinG Topic I think , is Incredible how you turn reader in fans for you ?
i wasn't Before one of you , But now that you don't ads It Make feel More Interesting In all the Post That You help to improve Webmasters ...
Wow I Don't have More To Say.
January 26, 2009 09:07 PM
Thank you for putting so clearly into words what I have thought for years. My blog was my first venture onto the internet, in July 2005. I have since made a living and a career out of marketing to my niche, but have always shied away from running banners or advertisements on my blog, for a reason I could not quite articulate.
"But it is a very different message to one that just says, "I like talking to you.""
That is it! I don't want my readers to think I'm posting just to make money, because I'm not. I want them to feel as though I respect them and enjoy the process just because of that process, because I do!
Great post.
January 27, 2009 09:15 AM
You're singing my song!
In my case, it would feel like trying to sell my kids something everytime they came home!
Yuck!!
January 27, 2009 10:31 AM
Thank you for this insite. Yes, it is true tht some people enjoy a conversation or content without being bombarded by constant advertising. I did also enjoy meeting you last year and could see you were a real person and not just a course or an ad.
January 31, 2009 11:26 PM
I like your article Joel. The site I typed in for my reply is the one I
don't use Adsense ads on. I've had numerous musicians actually get pissed
that the ads are on there.
I thought, no problem and I've never had another Adsense ad on that blog.
Peace,
Mark
February 2, 2009 12:54 AM
I helped my dad start his own blog and internet market his blog, since he's retired and don't have many things for his past time. He sometimes enjoys the work but most of time he feels like a burden since he does not know much about IT.
February 9, 2009 11:42 AM
Actually there is nothing wrong when you decide to monetizing your site but when you started to be greedy then your reader will soon accusing you spamming your blog with tons of ads
August 20, 2009 09:02 PM
This is like a balance between what is effective (in terms of money-making) and what is worth more (in terms of building relationships). I guess even in sites where you put ads, readers do sense whether you are sincere in the content you want them to read and are offering the ads as part of that sincere relationship, or just trying to shove the ad down their throat.
October 13, 2009 03:55 AM
I have read your another post on Adsense, where you say that by putting adsense advertisement on blog we lost trust with our audience. Its really true.
For new blogger like me we just have only one easy income source that is adsense.