Comments on: Trusted Update

By: ianmack

ianmack — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 21:01:31 +0000

thanks for the update. a point of clarification though - does “in text advertisements” mean google ads within the main content? or things like that hyperlink generator which auto-links text to ads? i ask because tastefully done, i personally find google ads in the main content less annoying than say, the auto-underlined text ads. also, some sites just look “spammy” with how they place their ads, while others look fine, again, as long as they’re placed tastefully. i suppose it begs the question: who decides what “tastefully” means?

By: Stacy

Stacy — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 21:02:41 +0000

Hi Timen,

I’m looking forward to seeing more blogs on the network, it is a great resource.

I definitely think an RSS feed is essential, and I really like the idea of having the latest network content available on the site.

As far as advertising affiliations, I find in-text advertisements distracting and annoying. Also, articles or links within a post that are paid for need to be disclosed inside that post.

Stacy

By: Stacy

Stacy — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 21:17:24 +0000

Just saw Ian’s comment, for myself, I was referring to “that hyperlink generator which auto-links text to ads”…

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 00:57:12 +0000

With the exception of *explicit* ads (such as Google) that are in the breaks of articles, in-text advertising (i.e. plugging) definitely blurs the lines between ads and editorial.

(For the record, Ian’s emphasis on doing this “tastefully” is key - there are definitely blogs out there with terrible aesthetics in this regard.)

But in my wandering through fellow member sites, I don’t see this as a particular concern - I’ve yet to see anything that looks like a suspiciously favorable review.

However, this is definitely something that should be clearly probited for the sake of future evaluations of TTBN members.

Happy travels all ~

By: Boris

Boris — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 03:51:28 +0000

hey,

i’m not a great fan of ads in between the content (if that’s what you mean, timen?), but i don’t mind them at the end or before the comments.

as for the feeds, i do think that they are essential. it’s just a great way of keeping up with other sites.

good work!!

By: Toon Hermans

Toon Hermans — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 12:20:03 +0000

Hey Timen, your site looks great, and has been a tremendous resource for my trip through Asia. Keep up the good work. You naughty traveller.

T. Hermans

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 18:43:44 +0000

I agree with everything Ben, Stacy, and Ian mentioned above. AdSense and other clearly defined ads are fine by me. For cash-strapped travelers, such ads on their travel blogs may well be an essential means to fund their travels just a bit longer.

I loathe in-text advertising. I think it’s distracting and a bit sleazy. When I click on a link, I expect to learn more about what I clicked on, not have an ad surprisingly foisted upon me.

Just my $0.02.

Thanks for keep everyone up to date, Timen!

By: Nick

Nick — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 20:09:06 +0000

Hey. I’m one of “the new guys” in the network now, and thanks a lot for considering my site worthy enough to join.

I’m excited about the network, and the future community features that you mentioned. Are you thinking about forums or something?

Peace

Nick

By: TravMonkey

TravMonkey — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 12:38:54 +0000

I think you guys are splitting hairs on the text links, I mean if people find your blog or writing entertaining then whats the problem?

If they don’t like the site they won’t come back. For example if it is “destructive on the user experience”.

I’m not sure having a trusted sites group is a good idea… after all the beauty of the net is that it isn’t policed, yet this seems to be a small step in the travel blog community to control.

“Another thing I would like to make a requirement is that member blogs provide a feed.” Come on what is this? Where’s the freedom in that?

I think you guys should focus on what is important. That is creating a good entertaining blog that people want to read.