Should HubPages better control who advertises on its pages to maintain a more pr

1. 38

   ChristinSposted 11 years ago

   Should HubPages better control who advertises on its pages to maintain a more professional image?
   
   Most businesses choose to ban political organizations from advertising on their websites in an effort to look more professional.  I have seen today an ad for a petition to overturn Roe V Wade and another political attack ad as well.  Does it hurt HP's reputation to allow such ads on their site? I know I ban ALL political ads from appearing on my own websites to avoid appearing biased or unprofessional when my sites have nothing to do with politics.  The other day there was an ad where audio was blaring on one of my hubs.  That too seemed questionable to me.

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2. 88

   jellygatorposted 11 years ago

   Eh... I don't think it matters that much myself, especially on a site devoted to presenting articles on just about every topic under the sun. If it was a different type of website or associated with just a few people, then I would have to agree with your approach.

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      ChristinSposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      actually that is precisely why it should matter.  A diverse bunch of writers display their content here and HP should want to present a neutral and a-political image.

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3. 90

   Greensleeves Hubsposted 11 years ago

   I would agree to an extent re-political advertising. Certainly party political advertising should not be allowed if only because it may conflict with the principles of the hubber on whose page the adverts appear. The same goes for all adverts presenting controversial viewpoints. There is of course a grey area when political advertising merges into advertising of a moral nature (charity adverts etc), but I would like (if possible or practical) for hubbers to be able to opt out of certain types of advert on their own pages.
   
   As for audio ads - I very much dislike these. Some hubs are of a sensitive and emotional nature, maybe relating sad or distressing aspects of life. The last thing you want is for some jolly jingle to be blaring out the moment someone clicks on the hub.

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      ChristinSposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I totally agree with everything you just said

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4. 85

   PDXKaraokeGuyposted 11 years ago

   Whether or not hubpages does, you can choose to do so in your own adsense settings. I don't allow political and religious ads from appearing on my hubs or blog, unless the hubs are political or religious in nature.

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      ChristinSposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I do take care of my personal settings.  My problem with it is that it makes this site appear to favor political sides and businesses that represent or have a diverse range of people should refrain from doing that.

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   tnvrstarposted 11 years ago

   Hubpages already has the best professional image among the revenue sharing sites. I don't expect anything more.

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      ChristinSposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes they do and if they want to keep it they should refrain from allowing highly emotionally and politically charged advertising on their website or they risk tarnishing their reputation.

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   Shinkickerposted 11 years ago

   I agree.
   
   But aside from politics I object to some adverts on Hubpages. For instance one's about how to make you look younger. Pure quackery and deserving of some virtual tars and feathers

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      ChristinSposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      yes, but that isn't necessarily controversial - things like repealing Roe V Wade might make people more offended than beauty potions and creams etc. There are plenty of products advertised all over that make me roll my eyes though

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   DowntroddenInDCposted 11 years ago

   Honestly, I don't think they have much control over it. They sell into other ad networks, which do all the selling. Also, I think most users understand the difference between published content and ads. As for the specific ads, something must have matched a keyword in the algorithm for the ads to show up. Unless it's just blanket run of site ads.

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      ChristinSposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      the repeal roe v wade political one was on the bottom of a question page that was not political in nature - so probably they are part of a blanket run - but still I'd think they could opt out of controversial ads.

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8. 0

   Lizam1posted 11 years ago

   Actually I am way more concerned about the chat and dating sites with almost naked women that are appearing at the side of my hubs and in the space between the hub pages tool bar and the content.  is anyone else having this problem?

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      ChristinSposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      agreed I don't think that's a very nice image to project either.  I have not seen this on my own hubs, but have seen it around.

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9. 57

   NotPCposted 11 years ago

   Of course the advertising could always be better... But as of late I think HubPages has been doing a pretty great job getting advertisers that properly mirror the content of my hubs!

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10. 0

    calculus-geometryposted 11 years ago

    Hubpages does filter the ads, but there will always be some rogue ads that slip through the filters if you use Google Adsense.  On a math blog I used to run, I would occasionally get ads for medical marijuana growing equipment; I have no clue why. That's why HP has a section in the forum for reporting inappropriate ads.
    
    If you get one with an auto-playing video you should definitely report it.  As for the political ads, it may be that HP has determined that they make money, and of course $$$ considerations will trump tact and taste.  Oh well.

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    Wesley Meachamposted 11 years ago

    That is interesting. I've never seen any of the ads that you've mentioned. Most of the ads I see are about some kind of generator that according to the ads "power companies hate," and then there is the woman who is 50 something but looks twenty. I've never seen any political ads and I've never seen an ad with audio.
    
    I don't know why we see the ads we do; if it is random or if there is some kind code designed to predict the things that we are supposed to be interested in. However I think that most people understand that the ads that show are coming from Google and not directly from us. There is also a link that will change the ads you see. Anyone viewing the page can click that little link at the bottom corner that says "ads not by this company..."
    
    So because of these things I'm not really worried about it.
    
    Having said that... I also think that you should have the option to filter out the kinds of ads that you don't want people to see on your hubs.

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    aravindb1982posted 11 years ago

    Totally agree to this. In fact, like many others who have commented as well, I have so many ads which are AGAINST the philosophy of my hubs. Just like the option in the Google Adsense account to block out certain ads, HubPages should make available an option wherein the author could report certain ads to be blocked irrespective of loss of income. Hubpages may lose its 40% but if the writer chooses to give up 60% for that ad, it should be allowed.
    
    Since I write pretty much on a same kind of topic, one pesky ad against my philosophy keeps throwing up. I really hope that the HubPages moderators are looking at this thread...

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    danielabramposted 11 years ago

    People are used to the same banner advertisements across the web, I'm sure the image of HubPages is not tarnished.

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14. 89

    DC Zieseposted 11 years ago

    Christin, I agree with your perspective. But, as some of the other responders have stated, unfortunately, the ads are generated on a blind, random rotation basis… and, sadly, the almighty dollar almost always trumps professionalism or integrity. Although, it would be nice to have a little more control in order to be a little more selective.

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