That’s what I recently found on my blog. I was horrified. Why are these ads on my blog? Who did this? I don’t support these companies! That would go against so much of what I write about, so much of what makes me – me. I was saddened. Here I am sharing my life and then (unbeknownst to me), some terrible video advertisement is imbedded at the bottom of my post. Gasp. I needed to know where it came from and more importantly, how to get rid of it. I did a little research and learned the ads were placed by WordPress.
At WordPress they sometimes display advertisements on your blog to help pay the bills. WordPress says,“this keeps free features free.” I get it. I realize (now) that I overlooked this fact when I agreed to start this blog with WordPress. Too bad for me, though I doubt I’m the only one who wasn’t/isn’t aware of this practice or has simply forgotten. I don’t agree with the fact that they place the ads without informing you first. Why can’t they send a computer generated message informing you that ads will start to appear on random posts, before the ads are imbedded? Offer the NoAd Upgrade/opt out option before placing ads – A friendly reminder perhaps? Not having full control over the content I am putting my name to, frightens me. I also find it a bit creepy. The ads aren’t visible to logged-in users or readers using AdBlock, they are only visible to non-wordpress bloggers; this is why I wasn’t aware (until two days ago) of the ads on my blog – I’m always logged in. This is also why you (if your a WordPress blogger) may not have seen any ads while visiting here…
What about all those folks who check out or follow my blog, that aren’t logged-in, or don’t blog with WordPress? They are subjected to these ads; ads which have not been placed by me, selling products I don’t support, misrepresenting who I am and what I blog about – they are an abomination. It’s a total conflict of interest and I’m signing up for the $30 NoAd upgrade. I’m not against advertising – there are a lot of incredibly talented people out there and some fabulous companies which I would support, but with a much different aesthetic and purpose. The ads, currently seen on my blog, which have been placed by WordPress, reflect poorly on me. They are shocking – particularly as they directly oppose so much of what I write about. While WordPress says the ads are run in limited places, one place is too many for me. I would have preferred to have been notified prior to the adverts going live.
I would have happily paid the $30 for the No-Ads upgrade* and avoided all this. I understand why they don’t – they stand to lose more ad generated revenue if I opt out (and pay the $30 upgrade fee). Despite this unfortunate circumstance I will continue to blog with WordPress. I like WordPress. I understand why they place these ads, I just don’t agree with how it happens…I will pay the annual $30 NoAd upgrade to protect my integrity. For those of you who did read all the find print prior to signing on, maybe you’ve just forgotten or perhaps it’s slipped your mind or maybe you run AdBlocker or maybe your unaware like I was – if your not aware, (for whatever reason), check your blog. Log out, disable AdBlocker and see if you have ads. You just may not like what you see. Click on the following link for another example of a horrified blogger. piedtype.com/2011/03/23/ouch-wordpress-lesson-learned/
My apologies to anyone confronted with an ad while visiting here. It will no longer be the case.
*While this action (advertising) is explained in the ToSas well as in the advertising entry in the support documents after registering for a username and blog and the same is also stated on the Store – My Upgrades page, (read more from Timethief, of one cool blog, in her post, ‘Bloggers: Beware of Adware’) it is certainly not information widely shared or something always remembered…shame on me for not knowing. I need to become more tech savvy if I’m going to continue blogging…I am sharing this to be helpful, not to condemn WordPress – they are clear with their intentions – if you know where to look…live and learn, right?
One more fact – there are also ads which are not placed by WordPress, but by malware. This is explained, very clearly, by Timethief, from one cool site. She offers some fabulous advice and information there.
If you have any suggestions or corrections to add here, please do so in the comments section – I am always wanting to learn more about blogging and I am always wanting to share informations, isn’t that why we blog?
Enjoy the weekend!
Ripe Red Berries 
I want to thank you for bringing the important issues of on blog advertising and the adware and malware issues to reader attention. Advertising on WordPress.com Blogs keeps the free features hosting and features we enjoy in place but it’s not every blogger’s desire to display it on their blog. As the ads do not display to us when we are logged in, and as many use browsers with ad blockers when logged out, we may not realize they are there at all.
Thank you for all your help and fabulous information! Happy New Year to you!
Thanks for the information, I had no idea. I still do not understand the whole thing but will have my kids look into it and explain it to me. Happy New year to you.
your welcome Norma. I had no idea either, so you can imagine my shock at seeing them! Hoping your kids can look into for you…I realize not everyone would be bothered by ads on their blog, but for those of us who would, it’s best to know and share the info. with others…
Wishing you all the best in 2013!
Thanks for mentioning this; I will reblog if that’s ok? I recently posted ‘Be aware of awards’ http://wp.me/p2JYKS-dQ another little hidden anomaly of blogging that timethief has highlighted in the past.
Happy New Year
Your welcome! And of course, do please reblog, I think the more people are aware the better…some folks may not mind adverts on their blog, but for me, it’s just not ok….I will check out your post about awards – had no idea they could be detrimental as well…so much to be aware of…
All the best and thank you for sharing! Happy New Year!!
Wow – I had no idea this was happening. I’m logging out now to check things out. Thanks for bringing this to my attention…
I know, right? What? Do look into it – I think the best way to see if their are adverts on your blog, is to view your blog from another computer…perhaps a library computer? Or a friends (who doesn’t already follow you…(: ). I noticed it completely by accident on a computer at my local library. I wanted to see my blog on a ‘full screen’ vs. my laptop screen and low and behold, ads! Yikes!
All the best to you Dianne in 2013 – Happy New Year!!!
The ad thing is an issue for me too, I found them while browsing my own and other blogs on my phone. They are embarrassing me! I hope to resolve the issue when I have time, but I really don’t want to pay for an upgrade to avoid them. Great blog, and Happy New Year! Tracey
I’m so glad you agree…I understand not everyone has an issue with this, but for those of us who do, it is most definitely, embarrassing! It looks to others that you support these companies and that your getting paid to do so! Yikes I hope you can resolve the issue without the $30 payment. I believe it states on the ‘what are these ads about’ page, posted by wordpress (it’s a little message found just above the ads), that if you take a photo of the ‘offensive’ ad and send them a link to it that they may consider ‘removing it’. Offensive is a subjective word choice…I wish you all the best! Happy Happy New Year to you too!
Reblogged this on winkos and commented:
If you read my post on Awards then you should read this as well, I had no idea about the adverts. Mind you I guess it’s also a sign of your success if wordpress start to advertise on your blog; none on mine yet! Thankfully
Thank you for reblogging and sharing this important information! Do check your blog on a different computer – not yours…perhaps a library computer…I don’t see them on my computer, no matter how often I sign out, empty the cache, clear the history, etc…but I do see them on other computers. I will most definitely check out your post regarding awards – thank you again for letting me know about that too. Happy Happy New Year to you and Yours! All the best to you.
One time I looked at one of my blogs that was translated into Latvian. While I was flattered I was also shocked there was a video advertising jeans. I thought there was an option on WordPress to check for “no ads.” I think I chose that option, but don’t ask me where it was now. I’m going to check at the library to ensure there are no ads. Thanks for bringing this up.
Yes, I would be flattered too! But the ad, too bad…Yes, there is an upgrade it’s called, NoAd Upgrade, and costs $30 annually. Though, ads may be placed if your not paying for the upgrade – pleased to know you found this helpful. Best to you and Happy New Year!!
Thanks for letting us know about this. I asked two of my friends who are not wordpress subscribers to check for me. Haven’t heard back from them. I am tired of having to read and study the fine print on everything to keep safe.
I agree! (: