[Talk] Question about the ethics of clicking on ads

[Aaron Wolfe]

I don't see clicking on ads as an effective mechanism for
accomplishing your goal.  The value of a "click" is entirely based on
a certain probability that the click will lead to revenue.  If
everyone were to click on ads simply to "support" the site displaying
them (instead of because they were interested in making a purchase)
then the value of those clicks is diminished to essentially nothing.
Advertisers will not overlook this.  The entire model falls apart.

You mention that the "pay for click" model is not working for your
site.  I don't think the answer is to manipulate that system.  I would
instead look to alternative means.  Some sites do well using a tip
jar/please donate model (wikipedia seems to be doing OK with this,
along with many smaller niche/hobby sites).  Some are subscription
based.  There are probably many other ways you could try now, and will
probably be new possibilities in the future.

You are not alone.  The internet happened very quickly, and many
businesses have been slow to adapt.  Many have struggled to find a
revenue model.  I suspect we will see many changes in how advertising
is done as the internet becomes ever more capable and ubiquitous.

That will be $0.02
-Aaron



On Sat, Jul 31, 2010 at 12:13 AM, Steve G. <wordz2u at gmail.com> wrote:
> I would like to solicit your opinion on the ethics of ad clicking, and
> appreciate your indulgence of this long message.
>
> Let me present the background first.
>
> Like most of us, I hate ads. Text ads are better than graphic images, but I
> still trained myself to ignore them, whether they appear on the side, top or
> bottom of what I am reading. So whenever I browse, I try my best to ignore
> the ads.
>
> Recently I have begun to have second thoughts. Part of the reason is that I
> keep reading about the paradigm shift, the obsolescence of business models
> based on membership charges, and about the failure of news organizations. In
> other words, I feel bad that my favourite news sources are losing money, and
> think maybe I should support them by clicking on the ads.
>
> The other face of the coin is that I have my own server, with text ads,
> which nobody seems to click on, for most part. Since the server does cost to
> run, in terms of electricity, hardware and networking gear, I would like to
> see more clicks.
>
> So I am contemplating encouraging people to change their attitude and start
> clicking on ads, at least once a day. I think that ethical clicking would
> follow the following rules:
>
> 1. don't click on your own sites, sites of friends, or as a quid pro quo
> arrangement (a-la Throw Mama Off the Train)
>
> 2. Click on ads that are of interest to you - either because you are
> considering buying (positive interest), or because they are clearly
> fraudulent (losing weight without diet, making thousands of dollars a month
> from home with no skills required, medicines to grow hair, etc.) and deserve
> to be drained of money. The latter one is a bit of a grey area for me, but I
> think this is still justified.
>
> 3. Select sites that are worthy of support because they provide a valuable
> public service (news organizations, charities, etc.)
>
> I would appreciate your opinions in the matter, and please, without starting
> a flame war or being offensive towards me or other responders.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Z.
>
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