Microsoft’s Ads on Digg Reach A New Low
Social Media December 5th. 2007, 9:43pm
I knew that the Digg user experience was sure to deteriorate when they agreed to let Microsoft serve their graphical ads, but I didn't know they'd allow advertisers to try and foist this type of deceptive schlock on a relatively tech-savvy community:
I was really hoping this was some kind of joke. But sadly, it very clearly states that "This is not a joke." And it seems to run contrary to the spirit of Kevin Rose's promise:
Diggers used to love some of the ads on the site (e.g., Snorg Tees girls) and mention them frequently in the comments. Reddit is doing a little bit better at targeting their audience, and the community speaks up and gives feedback on the insulting ads. Diggers should do this too.
And advertising execs should know that deceptive, blinking "Free Laptop: Must Complete 6 Offers" banners erode social media users' confidence in a site's advertising much more than any short-term profit it could bring them.
I was really hoping this was some kind of joke. But sadly, it very clearly states that "This is not a joke." And it seems to run contrary to the spirit of Kevin Rose's promise:
It’s important to say that we’re as focused as ever on a great user experience. So, no dancing monkey ads, and the design will remain uncluttered.
Diggers used to love some of the ads on the site (e.g., Snorg Tees girls) and mention them frequently in the comments. Reddit is doing a little bit better at targeting their audience, and the community speaks up and gives feedback on the insulting ads. Diggers should do this too.
And advertising execs should know that deceptive, blinking "Free Laptop: Must Complete 6 Offers" banners erode social media users' confidence in a site's advertising much more than any short-term profit it could bring them.
December 6th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
This post was most likely hand buried by the Digg admins. It was gaining traction on the “Hot in Industry News” leaderboard and it mysteriously vanished.
December 8th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Hey Brett-
I noticed “THIS IS NOT A JOKE” earlier today-and for a moment in time thought i made a wrong turn onto a warez site or something…certainly not digg. kinda disappointing..
December 9th, 2007 at 5:01 am
The more bloggers who post about this low-quality advertising the better. Hopefully Digg will get the message and raise the quality of advertisements.
I really don’t know why websites, even games don’t say to consumers, we’re going 2 serve you ads, that’s how we make revenue, plese choose what your into and we’ll serve only ads about content your interested in. Requiring users to choose 1 or more categories.
This should benefit both sides, users and content producers, resulting in higher click through rates due to more appropriate ads.
December 9th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
[...] read more | digg story [...]
December 11th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Digg sucks. There are loads of social networking sites better than digg.
I guess I am being a troll.
December 12th, 2007 at 1:09 am
I use noscript and I never see ads on Digg… it’s so much nicer that way and I’m glad it spared me from that awful gazillionth visitor one. I mean seriously, that is SO 2000
December 12th, 2007 at 4:06 am
I saw these ads and was thinking, “Digg must have no traffic if I am the 10,000 visitor!”