Is anyone else getting occasional pop-up ads, when they open a forum page? (They cover the entire page, with a "box" in the middle, but go away in a few seconds, with no other action on my part.)
I would think it's maybe something on my computer, except that PFF seems to be the only place it happens.

Anyone else?

I think it might be related with a "test" Google Ads is running. I got a message a few weeks back Google Ads was running a test on my site to optimize ad placement. I didn't see any changes in ad placements or anything so I ignored the message. I did see a very small improvement in ad revenue (like, an increase of about a dollar per day).

But if that's because it's serving full screen ads, then I will gladly disable it.

YES, I thought it's maybe something on my computer too, and yes, mainly on PFF.

I've noticed it on here too randomly. If it's making you any return at all Cliff I would leave it, to be honest it's not a huge deal if so.

Like I said, it's probably $1 - $2 per day extra but they are annoying as hell (I would guess, since I've never seen them) so I've disabled the experiment. 😊

quote 'The Man' - Cliff Pennock I've disabled the experiment. 😊

AWESOME - They were annoying as hell so 'Thanks' Cliff!

quote Originally posted by Cliff Pennock: Like I said, it's probably $1 - $2 per day extra but they are annoying as hell (I would guess, since I've never seen them) so I've disabled the experiment. 😊

They were mildly annoying. But not enough to run me off, or anything.
(To tell the truth, I'm just happy that I haven't managed to install any malware/adware on my own computer, as I initially suspected.)

Thanks!

quote Originally posted by Cliff Pennock: Like I said, it's probably $1 - $2 per day extra but they are annoying as hell (I would guess, since I've never seen them) so I've disabled the experiment. 😊

Thank you!

Apparently, Google Ads is inserting ads everywhere again. Sorry 'bout that. I'm not sure why it keeps running "experiments" without my consent or knowledge.

I mean, they work (since I see that ad revenue increases), but it's still annoying as hell.

An easy 'Refresh' clears the issue but yes, "it's still annoying as hell."

I haven't noticed anything, other than the usual ads along the sides, and the "PFF System Bot" space. And the Bot Space seems to be empty, which is unusual.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 12-09-2023).]

I'm still getting pop-up ads in the middle of members' post; the "PFF System Bot" space has ads for "everything".

Does anyone here not use Adblock? I know it’s bad for websites income but I worry about malware/viruses. I don’t see ads on anything, mostly try to avoid even on YouTube.

quote Originally posted by sdgdf: Does anyone here not use Adblock? I know it’s bad for websites income but I worry about malware/viruses. I don’t see ads on anything, mostly try to avoid even on YouTube.

Well, ads is what keeps most sites free (including this one) so I never use an ad blocker. I don't mind ads at all. They don't prevent me from reading what it is I want to read. As for ads that do prevent me from seeing the content I want to see, if it's a site I use a lot, then I just take a subscription (like YouTube Premium).

If you are worried about malware, use a virus scanner instead. I use Avast (free version) and it blocks any malicious site or ad. Also, I use Google ads exclusively so I'm not too worried their ads carry malware.

What I'm saying is, if a site is free and you use it a lot, why block the thing that makes it free? If everybody here on PFF would be using ad blockers, then PFF would be gone in a matter of months.

In a country where, if you watch tv, you get commercials every few minutes, I'm a bit surprised a few ads on websites (which can be easily ignored) are such a problem... (insert tongue-in-cheek smiley here)