View Full Version : Political Ads on HCRealms
So there's a special politics forum and you can only post there under certain circumstances. There are rules and punishments for talking about politics anywhere else in HCRealms.
But HCRealms accepts money from political campaigns and runs their ads on the site?
Was there some kind of mistake? Did I see this ad by mistake?
I'm all for HCRealms continuing and all, but I'm vaguely uncomfortable with this.
rorschachparadox
11/01/2011, 20:24
Do they select every ad, or do the go through the google (or other developers) ad bundles? This question has come up before in regards to personals ads, so maybe you personally look at a lot of political stuff?
Interestingly, this is the only place I have ever seen a Mitt Romney 2012 ad.
JackAssterson
11/01/2011, 20:26
Do they select every ad, or do the go through the google (or other developers) ad bundles?
:m-dolphin:
I do not have ads, I have ABP. therefore I have nothing helpful to contribute to this topic.
Disregarding the nature of said ad, the one thing I don't understand is that you were able to see it (given the donor's perk).
Now, since I don't see ads anyway (and wouldn't even if I wasn't a donor), I don't really care what their subject is.
JackAssterson
11/01/2011, 20:31
Now, since I don't see ads anyway (and wouldn't even if I wasn't a donor)
Drink Pepsi.
:eek:
Drink Pepsi.
:eek:
DANG PRODUCT ADVERTISING. :laugh:
Do they select every ad, or do the go through the google (or other developers) ad bundles? This question has come up before in regards to personals ads, so maybe you personally look at a lot of political stuff?
These are my questions exactly. Thanks.
But, no, I don't look at a lot of political stuff.
I have noticed on some boards that the ads morph themselves to what's being discussed, but that wouldn't explain it either.
As an aside, I've found the ad bots don't understand nerd culture and have often popped up ads based on what's being discussed and they are WAY off base to the point of hilarity!
Drink Pepsi.
:eek:
Ah, come on, wasn't it obvious that you needed to direct me to a brand of beer, or some kind of alcoholic beverage at least ?
You have much to learn from Google ads, heh heh.
Interestingly, this is the only place I have ever seen a Mitt Romney 2012 ad.
Even more interestingly, that's not the ad that I saw.
Weird.
JackAssterson
11/01/2011, 20:41
Even more interestingly, that's not the ad that I saw.
Gotta give it to Bob Dole, he ain't no quitter.
Ah, come on, wasn't it obvious that you needed to direct me to a brand of beer, or some kind of alcoholic beverage at least ?
What's the word?
Disregarding the nature of said ad, the one thing I don't understand is that you were able to see it (given the donor's perk).
Now, since I don't see ads anyway (and wouldn't even if I wasn't a donor), I don't really care what their subject is.
I think I could have turned off ads and never did thinking something stupid like I was going to find that add for that place that sells HeroClix WAY cheaper than everyone else.
Gotta give it to Bob Dole, he ain't no quitter.
What's the word?
I'm Haven13, and I am the face of JackAssterson disfunction.
rorschachparadox
11/01/2011, 20:44
These are my questions exactly. Thanks.
But, no, I don't look at a lot of political stuff.
I have noticed on some boards that the ads morph themselves to what's being discussed, but that wouldn't explain it either.
As an aside, I've found the ad bots don't understand nerd culture and have often popped up ads based on what's being discussed and they are WAY off base to the point of hilarity!
Glad to help :)
In that case, I blame the bundles... If nothing else, their inclusion guarantees Typhon my donation until at least after the election! :laugh:
As a journalist by schooling, I must say that I while I dislike advertising in general, I passionately loathe political advertising. Not that I don't mind a little political discussion mind you! Actually, because of this post, I have become curious/motivated enough to wander my way over to the political forum. Thanks for the motivation :grin:
Gentlegamer
11/01/2011, 20:47
ProTip: through Google Adsense, you can summon hilarious ads based on the topic/keywords in a given thread.
We run google ads; so there are no hand-picked ads (politcal or not). google uses the user's preferences and demographics to determine ads that they believe will convert well. So all I'm seeing are server ads because I'm in the process of buying new servers for the 'realms. You're probably seeing a bunch of political ads because you read news sites or political website (or you're in the politcal forum where the context would drive the ad content.
I think I could have turned off ads and never did thinking something stupid like I was going to find that add for that place that sells HeroClix WAY cheaper than everyone else.
Wait, I'm confused here : are you telling me you chose to not activate the "no ad" perk granted by the Bronze level donor ?
If so, I'd like to know how you did that (just being curious, I like to know each and every feature available on the Realms).
We run google ads; so there are no hand-picked ads (politcal or not). google uses the user's preferences and demographics to determine ads that they believe will convert well. So all I'm seeing are server ads because I'm in the process of buying new servers for the 'realms. You're probably seeing a bunch of political ads because you read news sites or political website (or you're in the politcal forum where the context would drive the ad content.
Thanks, I think we'd pretty much figured that this is the case, but it's good to get it straight from the horse's mouth (don't take that as an insult) and erase any sense of doubt.
Oddly, another thing we seem to have figured out is that both major parties are being represented so I was getting less unnerved already.
The only thing that is still strange is that I don't do political websites and I'm rarely in the Political Forum on here.
Wait, I'm confused here : are you telling me you chose to not activate the "no ad" perk granted by the Bronze level donor ?
If so, I'd like to know how you did that (just being curious, I like to know each and every feature available on the Realms).
You know, come to think of it, I think I only saw the ad before I signed in. That may explain why I'm not seeing it now.
1clickbraindmg
11/01/2011, 22:02
'Wizkids' urinal mats FTW. Anybody remember those?!
'Wizkids' urinal mats FTW. Anybody remember those?!
Forgive me, but I don't know what that has to do with ANYTHING.
Forgive me, but I don't know what that has to do with ANYTHING.
There were ads for a company called Wizkids selling urinal mats that had propellers on them.
The ads kept coming up on here because of the subject matter.
There were ads for a company called Wizkids selling urinal mats that had propellers on them.
The ads kept coming up on here because of the subject matter.
Oh. THAT MADE MY DAY. :laugh:
Gentlegamer
11/01/2011, 22:09
ProTip: through Google Adsense, you can summon hilarious ads based on the topic/keywords in a given thread.
'Wizkids' urinal mats FTW. Anybody remember those?!
That would be a famous one. :laugh:
yeah; those were great. :)
brevard321
11/01/2011, 22:11
Yeah, the only ads I EVER get to see here on HCRealms are for:
Whizkids urinal mats
40+ singles dating
gold coins
In retrospect, I may need to change my life a little....
Ha, ha! :)
Although right now, I'm seeing the RPP mortage ad, just for completeness.
Narrow Salvo
11/01/2011, 22:21
I am a little curious about what ad you could've seen that would make you "vaguely uncomfortable". The nature of ads is to persuade you. So, if you saw an ad for a candidate that you aren't already supporting, well, that's sort of the point, isn't it?
I am a little curious about what ad you could've seen that would make you "vaguely uncomfortable". The nature of ads is to persuade you. So, if you saw an ad for a candidate that you aren't already supporting, well, that's sort of the point, isn't it?
The idea of HCRealms supporting one candidate or another was unsettling.
brevard321
11/01/2011, 23:35
The idea of HCRealms supporting one candidate or another was unsettling.
It shouldn't be unsettling at all. A private website (person) can support any political figure they want to.
There's no reason that this site couldn't be plastered with biased political ads, except that it's probably bad for business.
It wouldn't bother me one bit if this site was covered with pro-Republican or pro-Democratic ads. But that's just me.
EDIT: Now I'm seeing National Guard ads on this thread!
Keep seeing flu shot ads ... now that's scarey considering I was just thinking of getting one.
As for politics, I'm not much for it ... so you won't see me directly placing one ad over another, but I would fully expect to see a lot of those ads moving forward (and I hope they pay well). :) Google should be rotating them like crazy starting immediately.
brevard321
11/02/2011, 00:03
Keep seeing flu shot ads ... now that's scarey considering I was just thinking of getting one.
As for politics, I'm not much for it ... so you won't see me directly placing one ad over another, but I would fully expect to see a lot of those ads moving forward (and I hope they pay well). :) Google should be rotating them like crazy starting immediately.
Politics will ruin Heroesclixszzz! :laugh:
RavenProject
11/02/2011, 00:14
Google ads seem to pull from far more than the site you're currently on.
Example One: I live in one of the Wisconsin areas that had a recall election. I was seeing related ads on many, many sites during the runup to that event.
Example Two: I recently used Google to search for stuff while planning my trip to Vegas. Now I see lots of ads for Vegas hotels.
-J
It shouldn't be unsettling at all. A private website (person) can support any political figure they want to.
There's no reason that this site couldn't be plastered with biased political ads, except that it's probably bad for business.
It wouldn't bother me one bit if this site was covered with pro-Republican or pro-Democratic ads. But that's just me.
EDIT: Now I'm seeing National Guard ads on this thread!
It would be unsettling to know that Typhon had an agenda. I'm glad he's smart enough to keep that to himself. Like you said, it's a smart business move.
I think I'm gonna spend some time around here not signed in and see what the ads are like.
Gentlegamer
11/02/2011, 02:04
Anyone know where I can find resources for homeschooling?
Anyone know where I can find resources for homeschooling?
Are you trying to tell us that was an ad that came up or are you serious?
I can certainly put you in touch with all kinds of info on the subject as I know several home school students.
It would be unsettling to know that Typhon had an agenda.
He has an obvious pro-miniature-gaming agenda!
He has an obvious pro-miniature-gaming agenda!
I giggled. Nicely done.
Wade Wilson
11/02/2011, 02:12
Do they select every ad, or do the go through the google (or other developers) ad bundles? This question has come up before in regards to personals ads, so maybe you personally look at a lot of political stuff?
It's google ads, and for some reason I have seen them before when logging in to the site. I think some of them just pop up by location and time of election. A lot of the time though google ads have to do with what you google.
Gentlegamer
11/02/2011, 02:15
Are you trying to tell us that was an ad that came up or are you serious?
I can certainly put you in touch with all kinds of info on the subject as I know several home school students.
Unrelated to the Google ads, HCR was under spam-bot attack last night that made inane posts about homeschooling resources.
I also want to see if we can summon such ads through Google. ;)
Unrelated to the Google ads, HCR was under spam-bot attack last night that made inane posts about homeschooling resources.
I also want to see if we can summon such ads through Google. ;)
Ah, I get it now.
Well, as a TUTOR I must say that I'm disappointed that anyone connected with HOMESCHOOLING has done something so unethical. I will contact the PARENTS that I know and ask them if they know if any of the RESOURCE sites that they use could/would do such a thing.
When I'm TEACHING my students, we don't just STUDY the SUBJECTS but we talk about connecting TOPICS. I don't want them to be TEST ready and not have the SKILLS or SKILL SET to be able to function in a wider world.
I will discuss this with them as well to get a HOMESCHOOL STUDENT perspective as well.
Think that'll work?
G
What's the word?
Well, everybody knows that the bird is the word ;)
The only thing that is still strange is that I don't do political websites and I'm rarely in the Political Forum on here.
Well on top of any news you could be looking at which would have those kinds of keywords spike, don't forget some heroclix rock the politician key word which is likely not helping. :)
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