Advertisements on Blogs

Late last week I sent Duncan Riley a series of questions in what I thought was a vain attempt to gain his thoughts on some questions I’d been pondering. In typical accommodating Duncan style, he’s just responded to one of them; and his response has got me to thinking.

The Question: Advertising on Blogs – When to embrace and when to avoid

The first subject I covered in my email dealt with the inclusion of advertisements on blogs, asking him:

One of the contentious issues in blogging seems to be the inclusion of advertisements. Some people consider this to be selling out; others consider it a logical business practice.

For example TechCrunch has devoted 3 posts this year to the fact Robert Scoble has begun to include ads on his blog and Twitter account.

Can you discuss this subject and underlying issues, particularly with regards to

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Do you think inclusion of advertising on a blog/website can affect reader perceptions? If so, how?

Are there instances when sites should NOT include ads – and if so what are they?

Can you discuss methods of implementing ads in terms of what to do and what not to do?

TechCrunch References:

“Scoble Sells Out“, 25 January 2008

“Robert Scoble Sell Out Complete“, 30 April 2008

“Scoble Sellout Part Three? – Twitter Adverts” 6 May 2008

Duncan’s Response on YouTube (“Blog Advertising“)

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=M6wrXjyL438]

Can academic objectivity exist in a for-profit model?

Historically my inclination has always been to keep ads off of my blogs. There were several points of logic in my mind about this, but perhaps the biggest one was a concern that the prospect of financial gain – whether real or merely perceived – could somehow jeopardise the core mission or objectivity of the work, or how it is perceived by readers.

The fact I work in higher education is certainly an influencing factor here, because in many ways the culture of academia is out of sync to that of the private sector. The coveted currencies in this realm are reputation and influence, not money and power. Success is measured by one’s status as a subject-matter expert and trustworthy and reliable source of information, not the depth of their fiscal portfolio.

Furthermore, in academia, as epitomised most clearly by the scientific method, objectivity and clarity of thought is the lynch pin of all philosophical and investigative endeavour. Therefore the question in my mind has always been whether these notions of purity of objectivity and clarity of thought and motive can coexist in a for-profit models.

Parting Thoughts

My reason for asking Duncan these questions, as opposed to someone else, is that I value his opinions and trust his judgement – both as a reader of his work and as a friend. The fact he includes advertisements on his blogs has never detracted from this.

In a general sense I agree with his point that most people are accepting of advertisements because they realise they’re getting a free service; but I think the caveat would be that certain sectors – especially education and non-profit – would not be so understanding. Indeed there may even be regulations that outlaw ads in these contexts.

All that being said though it hasn’t helped me come to any conclusions about my own blogs. I remain as on the fence about it as I ever was.

What do you think?

References: