Ning won't let us run our own Ads on Mobile

[SweetPotato]

Hi all

There has been much discussion in the thread here about the new mobile interface and 'Ning Ads'.

Until we know fully what 'Ning Ads' means, I thought I'd open a discussion to find out what NCs want from the ad function on their mobile networks.

I've been very vocal that I want the ability to run my own banner ads, preferrably in rotation across all pages. An interface that enables me to do this is what I want, but failing that a text box that I can insert above all pages and insert html and script would suffice.

More than anything, though, I want control over what ads I put on my mobile site. I don't want to have one option only, i.e. Ning/Glam ads.

What does everybody else hope to see?

SP

[Luciano Costa]

I second that motion. My network is for a specific market (LGBT) and I wouldn't want any ads to appear on the network that is not appealing to our audience.

[Eric Suesz]

Hey, Luciano. If Ning Ads won't work for you, I would encourage you to sign up for Google AdSense. I'm not going to lie to you: The upcoming Ning Ads will not have a category dedicated to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender lifestyle. Wish we had that deep of a demographic reach for you, but I am guessing that Ning Ads probably won't satisfy your criteria. 

[Luciano Costa]

That's good to know, thanks.

[Luciano Costa]

I failed to mention that I do currently run ads on my network by using the Gay Ad Network. I also applied to test the Ning/Glam ads which I would like to retract. If I'm not able to somehow control the types of ads posted to my network, then I rather not have anything on my mobile site. I've tried Google before but had to delete because some of the recurring ads were for inappropriate dating sites.

[Eric Suesz]

That's great. I haven't seen that ad network before. Sounds like a great solution for you. If you applied for the Ning Ads beta, you can simply not join the beta group or leave the beta group. 

[SweetPotato]

that is exactly why Luciano needs to be able to serve his own ads on mobile

[Eric Suesz]

I hear you. I absolutely respect the point you're making. And I apologize if I'm responding off topic since this discussion is actually about mobile ads. 

Some people are participating in this discussion (and many others) in a theoretical way. They don't actually run any advertising; they want to, but they haven't experimented with ad networks. I guess I'm just trying to always put forward the idea (in general) that communities that don't do any advertising at all and aren't sure how to get there because they don't have the pageviews or demographics that fit with traditional ad services can find much more success by doing it themselves and not relying on ad networks. If you already have a successful, thriving site that gets a quarter of a million pageviews per month, then advertising with established ad networks can make you some dollars. But if your site only pulls in 10K pageviews per month (or 1K/month), mobile ads aren't realistically going to make a difference.

But... one desktop ad you solicit yourself can pay huge dividends. And might actually be welcomed by your members because it's targeted at them. 

[SweetPotato]

Thanks for the reply Eric. Ning Ads should be just one option like Google Adsense, Adbrite, Webgains or whatever. As should our own adverts. Affiliate or ppc are a good option for large networks but if you are a small network and sell ads targeted at your small, lucrative niche then those advertisers (in fact irrespective of how lucrative) are going to expect those ads to be on your mobile site. And even if for some reason they don't, I want to be able to offer it.

I'm afraid you've not said anything that suggests you're really listening to what people are saying about being able to host their own ads in a meaningful way across mobile. I've not felt this way about Ning for a while as for the past year you guys have listened and developed appropriately. Ning Ads seems entirely Glam driven without thought for those who help you develop your products on this site and through other communications.
Thanks
SP

[Eric Suesz]

I'm listening to what you're saying. (And I know you guys are always paying attention because you parse my language closely.) It's always been my number one goal to be our customers' advocate. I always take the feedback you and others provide and try to have that inform and influence the decisions that are made. That doesn't mean everything people suggest will turn into a product feature or product change, but I will faithfully relay what you want to our product team, engineers, and executives.

You'll be able to run Ning Ads on mobile, but you won't see a provided option to run additional ads on mobile as you will on the desktop version. 

[SweetPotato]

Thanks for the reply.
So, to clarify:

1) Ning Ads won't allow NCs to use their own ads on the mobile version of their networks.
2) Ning Ads will allow us to run additional ads on our desktop version.

Have I misinterpreted point 2? Why would we need that when we can just use text boxes for adverts on our desktop sites?

Why won't Ning provide a way for us to run our own ads on mobile?

SP

[Eric Suesz]

You are correct. The detail about the desktop is that Ning Ads can be run in conjunction with other ads like Google AdSense. If you run both, Ning Ads will be placed when there is relevant content; otherwise the slot will be filled with Google AdSense. That's probably the best way to do things. 

We'll provide even more detail when the Ning Ads Beta is over and we release it to everyone. 

[SweetPotato]

But I am assuming that we will still have Text boxes to run our own banner ads on the desktop version???

and...

Why won't Ning provide a way for us to run our own ads on mobile?