Google has decided to end advertising on this blog, by disabling my Adsense account. It says my account posed a risk of generating invalid activity, meaning readers click on ads when they want to support the blog rather than because they are interested in the advertising.
Some of that invalid clicking activity might have been encouraged by this message, which I left in the blog sidebar:
Some readers visit day after day, but never seem to notice the Google Adsense advertising on this blog.I earn a share of click revenue from the ads.
The ads help keep this blog in business. In fact, if I don't make enough from it, I don't blog.
However, for Google's sake I must ask readers: Please click the ads only if you find something of interest.
Funnily enough, I took down the message a few days ago, as I found that few readers were clicking on the ads, even with the message in place.
However, I am sure it contributed to boosting my Adsense revenue in the past, which is why Google has decided to disable my account.
It believes a share of my most recent earnings is artificially inflated, and intends returning my account balance to its advertisers rather than paying it out to me.
In one sense, Google's decision is welcome, as it frees me from the obligation of having to blog. While I blog mainly because I enjoy writing and sharing my experiences, the money I earned from Adsense also helped.
While I could carry on blogging for the sheer pleasure of it, a larger point of principle is involved: I don't see why I should have to write for free.
The days when readers can expect free access to unique internet content are limited, and if I could charge readers for access to this site, I would.
I have taken a quick look at alternatives to Adsense contextual advertising; none of them looks appealing.
I would like to thank readers for their support. I shall take down this site in the next few days.
Postscript, May 14: After reading your supportive comments, I have changed my mind.
9 comments:
ReplyDeleteAnonymous10 May 2011 at 19:10
Dearest Bkkdreamer
This is very sad news as I have been a fan of yours for many years and enjoy your blog tremendously!
If you were to make this into a paid site, I would for one happily pay to access your regular updates.
Thank you for your past blogging and I wish you well for the future
Ommi xx
ReplyDelete
Joyce Lau10 May 2011 at 20:31
Aw, BKK Dreamer. That's really too bad. Will you still leave the old site up and comment from time to time, even if you're not writing regularly?
The AdSense thing sucks. I thought they only barred blogs that were obvious scams -- like those with dummy type, tons of ads and automatic "hit generating" programs.
I can't believe they would block a good, proper blog with lots of original content and a loyal readership.
After all, no advertiser knows 100% that its ads are being looked at 100%. Even if you spend a bunch of money on TV or newspaper ads, you have no idea if viewers are skimming over them. And nobody can predict the INTENT of the reader. How does Google know if I am personally interested in ever ad I click?
Anyway, no use railing against the corporate powers that be. I'm sorry for your loss of income, and I'm sorry to see you go as a blogger!
ReplyDelete
Bkkdreamer10 May 2011 at 20:36
Thank, Ommi. I don't think there are any easy ways of erecting a paywall; The New York Times spent $40m on its paywall, and I don't have that much money lying around.
I could solicit donations to a PayPal account. I have taken a quick look at their system, but am not sure if it would work with a blog such as this one, which does not offer a 'service' as such. Let me think about it.
ReplyDelete
ironbark10 May 2011 at 22:15
As another loyal reader for the last couple of years I will sadly miss your regular entertaining and educational reporting on life on the Thai side.
Like Pepy's writing, it is the life and times of the ordinary person which is really important and needs recording.
ReplyDelete
Sam10 May 2011 at 22:54
This is so sad.
Good luck to you in everything you do..
ReplyDelete
Bkkdreamer11 May 2011 at 04:50
ReplyDeleteJoycey: it is always good to hear from you.
No, I probably won't leave the site up. I would like Google to do its job and quickly erase all trace of it from the internet, as five years is long enough for one site to be up.
I regularly go through the blog to delete posts whose time I think has passed.
People are affected by the things we write - even if we are merely recycling news which has appeared in the media - and I don't want to contribute to their misery in the name of netting a few more readers, or earning a more more Adsense dollars.
Occasionally I open the ads which appear on my blog for a look at which is being offered(without clicking on the links...I just copied and pasted the address).
Many were rubbish, so I can understand if readers are reluctant to click, or if they do click, quickly leave again.
But Google feels obliged to protect its advertising clients from invalid click activity, so I can understand its response, too.
ReplyDelete
TAO11 May 2011 at 05:12
Here is the truth:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110511/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_google_advertising_investigation
It appears that Google ads are under investigation by the US Justice Department and in Europe but not for the reasons you state!
I always liked how Google punishes the site owner for the bad behavior of the site visitors! I mean Google does capture IP addresses of those individuals who click on advertisers ads why don't they go after those people?
ReplyDelete
Hendrikbkk13 May 2011 at 18:35
Too bad you are leaving. I always enjoyed your little adventures, in and out the slums.
I have no idea how much money you made from this site, but I guess it is an incentive to write. I understand that.
I liked your taking on Thai life, so unpretentious and down to earth. That I will miss the most.
Thanks for your stories.
ReplyDelete
Bkkdreamer13 May 2011 at 18:44
Thank you, Hendrik. I might open a Paypal account, or stick the blog behind an invitation only wall. I haven't decided yet. I am missing the writing, and loyal reader Ian is still sending me excellent pics, which I cannot share if the blog is off the air.
ReplyDelete