Comments on: Update: Google AdSense Responds to Political Concerns, Sort of

By: Peter Kirn

Peter Kirn — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:27:09 +0000

Well, of course it’s not the same. But it still matters to us what’s on the site. It’s our real estate. ;)

And likewise, I enjoy hearing opinions counter to my own. There just happen to be better places for it, many of them free (as in beer, as well as in freedom).

By: Downpressor

Downpressor — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:15:16 +0000

I still consider it unfortunate that many people cant differentiate between advertisement and editorial endorsement, or simply can not recognize the rights of others to advocate an opinion counter to their own. In any case this whole thing has given me food for thought.

By: robin parry

robin parry — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:51:00 +0000

looks like buying an election is still in favour doesn’t anyone realizet how manipulated we are by this shameles exploitation by religous zelots pouring money into something that isn’t in their state. do you think that adverts advocating athe end of mormonism as a dubious religion would be run in salt lake city? you know damn well they wouldn’t, adbusters have tried this for years big religion pays and google are responding like any large mulitimational would do to protect itself from critisism.

By: Peter Kirn

Peter Kirn — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:14:19 +0000

Well, and I think it’s absolutely appropriate to look at the moral and business issues together. Publishers’ business will be far less successful if their ads are way off message or out of tune with what the content is about philosophically. You’ll notice a number of publishers pointed out, they *lost money* on this deal. And likewise, this isn’t just about philosophy for the sake of it — when you’re in the content business, as a musician or as a publisher, all those things are bound together. If you really sacrifice what you believe in, you can wind up sacrificing the gig, too.

By: Downpressor

Downpressor — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:53:32 +0000

Peter Kirn,

At first I didnt understand what the big deal was, but after giving the matter a few days thought I understand how you are trying to run your business in accordance with your moral compass.

It may not be the same for me, if I ran a website I’d take any ads with the assumption that readers would not equate syndicated ads with editorial position. However I realized I would not take a a paying job to mix or produce music which clearly advocated things contrary to my own beliefs or was funded by something I find morally wrong. I’m glad I’m now in such a position, there was a time I’d take any job as long as the money was there.

By: JohnC

JohnC — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:50:12 +0000

For more relevance in your contextual ads results and increased revenue, try proximic.com. Simpler setup, much higher relevance, and higher publisher revenue.

By: LEGENDmag

LEGENDmag — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:34:05 +0000

[...] The CDM site has a follow-up post talking about what Google is doing to rectify this situation… still doesn’t really [...]

By: gwenhwyfaer

gwenhwyfaer — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:49:39 +0000

Apparently “don’t be evil” has given way to a rather older doctrine – “never explain, never apologise”.