Simple Dollar abandons advertising for moral reasons

Will · 12-19-2007, 12:12 AM

TSD:

Quote:

In the end, I finally realized that the real reason I write The Simple Dollar is to help bring about positive change in people’s lives, and when the site showed ads that really conflicted with that mission, I was undercutting what I want to do here. Sure, the income was nice, but quite often I was having to make some justifications that I really didn’t like, and that hurt you, the reader.

The downside The downside to this, obviously, is that I’ve decimated my income for the site. This was extremely painful to do - it was like quitting a high paying job because of ethics and taking a much, much lower paying job.

Times like these I wish we had a saluting emoticon.

Ed O'Reilly · 12-19-2007, 07:42 PM

Interesting decision on his part. I guess he felt that his content had to be presented in such a way that, hopefully, Google would serve up the appropriate advertising.

CFOontheGo · 12-20-2007, 07:13 AM

At one time I removed AdSense from my site for the very same reason, but I have since put them back up. There are costs involved in running a blog/website and your readers are getting information for free. It is not a bad to run ads to try and recoup some of your costs. AdSense also allows you to filter the ads that are shown on your site, so you can remove the objectionable ones.

Greg · 12-20-2007, 02:49 PM

That's a really noble move by Trent, but I think he could still monetize his blog without compromising his morality.

One idea: Selling directly to advertisers so each sponsor/product can be screened.

It will take more time and effort, but that can be offset with higher ad prices. Because readers will have more "trust" in the ads on TSD, advertisers might willingly pay the premium prices. In the end, this move may actually result in a higher net yield for TSD.

Will · 12-20-2007, 06:48 PM

Yikes, I almost started an "incident" on the MBN forum today.

Me:

Quote:

Wow. Trent really does have some huge news up his sleeves.

Nicely done Trent. I respect your integrity.

(BTW, sorry I haven't put up this post yet... I'm coordinating this with a big event on Wise Bread as well... which should come up soon!)

JLP (all financial matters):

Quote:

Will,
I'm confused. Are you saying that those of us who continue to use Adsense don't have integrity?

Me again, trying to take. foot. out. of. mouth.

Quote:

Nah, that's not what I meant at all.

For me, integrity means sticking to your principles even when it comes at great personal cost. For Trent, his principles tell him that ads are wrong. So he took them down and gave up the cash.

If you believe that Adsense is a legitimate and moral way to make money (as I do), then you are acting in accordance with your principles. No integrity lost. Smile

The only people without integrity are those who believe Adsense is harmful to their readers AND continue to serve ads. Oh, and baseball players (kidding.)

I hope that made sense.

Webministrator · 12-20-2007, 07:07 PM

I understand where their coming from but in order to continue to bring people the content on a site, you need hosting.
Revenue from programs such as AdSense helps pay for that.
It was a nice gesture that they did that though.

Lynn · 12-21-2007, 08:17 AM

will - good save!

Greg · 12-21-2007, 05:59 PM

How advertisers and bloggers come together in a mutually beneficial arrangement is still evolving. I'm betting on the rise (and demise) of many new ad networks in '08.

Adsense may be king now, but someone is building a better system... that Google will eventually buy.

soupkitchen96 · 12-23-2007, 07:14 AM

I browsed through that site just now. It looks like this trent guy puts a lot of work into it. And he's doing it all for free without google advertising? That's selfless and all but what about his family. I'm sure his family wouldn't mind the extra cash pulled in by google advertising. You have to take care of your own first. Sure some moron may click on the ads but that's their business. We live in a capitalist society where people are responsible for their own actions. No need to cuddle them I say.

lazy23 · 12-23-2007, 07:17 AM

Money isn't everything. Blogging is about sharing ideas and building friendships. He does a lot more for his family by setting a good example of not compromising himself.

That's worth a bit more than the pennies adsense pays you.

12-19-2007, 07:42 PM	#2
Ed O'Reilly Wise Bread Blogger Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3 Reputation: (10)	Interesting decision on his part. I guess he felt that his content had to be presented in such a way that, hopefully, Google would serve up the appropriate advertising. Last edited by Ed O'Reilly : 12-19-2007 at 07:55 PM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

12-20-2007, 07:13 AM	#3
CFOontheGo Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: CA Posts: 23 Reputation: (10)	At one time I removed AdSense from my site for the very same reason, but I have since put them back up. There are costs involved in running a blog/website and your readers are getting information for free. It is not a bad to run ads to try and recoup some of your costs. AdSense also allows you to filter the ads that are shown on your site, so you can remove the objectionable ones.

12-20-2007, 02:49 PM	#4
Greg Administrator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sunny Southern California Posts: 160 Reputation: (47)	That's a really noble move by Trent, but I think he could still monetize his blog without compromising his morality. One idea: Selling directly to advertisers so each sponsor/product can be screened. It will take more time and effort, but that can be offset with higher ad prices. Because readers will have more "trust" in the ads on TSD, advertisers might willingly pay the premium prices. In the end, this move may actually result in a higher net yield for TSD.

12-20-2007, 07:07 PM	#6
Webministrator Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 19 Reputation: (10)	I understand where their coming from but in order to continue to bring people the content on a site, you need hosting. Revenue from programs such as AdSense helps pay for that. It was a nice gesture that they did that though.

12-21-2007, 08:17 AM	#7
Lynn Administrator Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 29 Reputation: (15)	will - good save!

12-21-2007, 05:59 PM	#8
Greg Administrator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sunny Southern California Posts: 160 Reputation: (47)	How advertisers and bloggers come together in a mutually beneficial arrangement is still evolving. I'm betting on the rise (and demise) of many new ad networks in '08. Adsense may be king now, but someone is building a better system... that Google will eventually buy.

12-23-2007, 07:14 AM	#9
soupkitchen96 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 51 Reputation: (11)	I browsed through that site just now. It looks like this trent guy puts a lot of work into it. And he's doing it all for free without google advertising? That's selfless and all but what about his family. I'm sure his family wouldn't mind the extra cash pulled in by google advertising. You have to take care of your own first. Sure some moron may click on the ads but that's their business. We live in a capitalist society where people are responsible for their own actions. No need to cuddle them I say.

12-23-2007, 07:17 AM	#10
lazy23 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 40 Reputation: (12)	Money isn't everything. Blogging is about sharing ideas and building friendships. He does a lot more for his family by setting a good example of not compromising himself. That's worth a bit more than the pennies adsense pays you.