Updating the ads we run on Ning Networks

Today, we run Google Ads on the right-hand side of Ning Networks that don't have the Go Ad-Free premium service.

Starting this Wednesday November 4, you may notice some changes to the ads that display in this right-hand column. We will start mixing in image ads, along with the contextual text ads that currently display. We will also start targeting ads separately to Network Creators and members, so you may begin soon to see ads that only you as the Network Creator are seeing from Ning.

While these image ads may not be as targeted as the Google Ads you are used to seeing on your Ning Network, this is a first step in our experimentation with driving highly targeted ads of multiple types - image, text or more dynamic types - later. As we experiment with new ads in this real estate and closely monitor the data we collect, we'll keep you updated with what to expect.

And as always, you can remove the ads and even run your own by purchasing the Go Ad-Free premium service, which you can do from your Manage page by choosing the Premium Service link. Thanks!

UPDATE: We’re going to begin testing out display ads on a batch of Ning Networks on Nov. 11.

UPDATE: We’re going to roll-out out display ads to most Ning Networks that are using the free service on Nov. 19.

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Permalink Reply by Laura on November 22, 2009 at 10:05pm

As we gain advertising partners, we will be able to target more and more closely to the variety of topics covered on the Ning Platform. The current image ads should be in a rotation with text ads as well. Let us know if you are only seeing one kind of ad on every page of every network!

Thank you,
Laura

Permalink Reply by Col on November 23, 2009 at 5:29pm

Good response Xiola, and hopefully Ning can come through with the goods for you :)

Permalink Reply by Jenny on November 23, 2009 at 4:34pm

Hey Bob! As a side note, just wanted to point out that as mentioned in the Terms of Service, currently, Ning isn't directed to children younger than 13. As a Network Creator, you also agree not to knowingly collect any information from, or develop any Ning Networks that are targeted at children under the age of 13. Because of this, we’re unfortunately unable to support your Ning Network.

Permalink Reply by Leah Hamilton on November 22, 2009 at 7:45am

We're a free resource site, and I'm in the same boat where there is NO WAY that I could afford to remove ads :-(

Not sure what I'm going to do about this.

Permalink Reply by SteveH on November 23, 2009 at 3:30am

My suggestion would be try doing the ad free option for one month (you can cancel the premium services whenever you want so at most it would be $24.95 experiment). Then, set up your own google adsense account so that you have more control over what type of ads are displayed (you can limit to just text to avoid the graphic ads). See if the revenue you earn from the ads offset the $24.95 per month that you are paying. The first month I started my ning network I used my own adsense and made about $90... and that was a completely private network that google could not target very well (ie, my ads were totally unrelated in most cases to my network).

Permalink Reply by L. C. Sterling on January 7, 2010 at 2:11pm

I'm ready to drop Ning all together because of the Match.com (et al) ANNOYING ads that take up a huge chunk of real estate on the page - pretty much the entire right column.

This group is a web-based version of my LinkedIn group, so I may just keep it at that.

LS
http://certifiedprofessionalwriters.ning.com/

Permalink Reply by WALTER H. STEINLAUF on January 7, 2010 at 2:28pm

I am thinking again of implementing the AD FREE option on our network. We have used it in the past, but it did not really generate and much needed revenue. Suggestions?

Permalink Reply by Ed Burton on January 18, 2010 at 11:35pm

The value proposition of Ning advertising used to be an attractive one, we give you all the content and traffic of our communities and in exchange you get the Google AdSense revenue from that activity. I’m sorry if Google AdSense are not generating sufficient revenue for your company but the imposition of these graphical ads is a dramatic shift in the proposition of Ning. While these visually toxic adverts are appearing I’ll be researching alternative community platforms to Ning, graphical or worse animated banner adverts are not acceptable, I would not have adopted Ning if they were part of the proposition then and am utterly appalled that they have been imposed on us after we made the decision to invest time bringing our communities to your service.