Our already modest Google Adsense revenue is down some 15-20% this year, mostly due to increased use of Adblockers. It’s hitting all ad-supported websites hard, and it’s discouraging. I’ve long given up on CC becoming a viable business proposition able to support me full-time or pay our top writers, but it is a bit painful to see our ad revenue continue to shrink. Enough of that; now back to our regular programming…
Thank you for this incredible labor of love Paul! I haven’t yet donated but given your hard work and humility I sure will when I am able!
P.s. I don’t block ads
Well, I “donate” by giving content without desire for pay. I wish I had cash, but in absence of that, I’ve whitelisted CC, so at least you can get a few pennies.
I’ve whitelisted CC for a couple years now. It’s the least I can do.
My PC is adblocking because of that darn antivirus, but it’s been months since since I last visited CC in it. Switched to an iPhone and an Android device and both aren’t blocking CC ads, and actually they are not intrusive like the ones on the other site.
Paul is always so reluctant to be a pushy fundraiser…. Maybe he’s been traumatized by NPR? I imagine it’s pretty hard to avoid in Eugene.
So I’ll try to make a pitch on his behalf. Nowadays, a car enthusiast doesn’t need to have a magazine subscription… the internet changed that–and a lot of other things about our hobby. But I remember when I had three or four car mags coming in every month. Sometimes they were great, sometimes they were bland, and far too often they shilled for manufacturers. And we–the readers–paid for the privilege, hoping for a gem or two in each issue.
Now think about how much amazing content CC gives us on a daily basis. Personally, I check in several times a day, and I’m always glad I did. That’s worth the price of a subscription, and probably a heck of a lot more.
We get what we pay for. So let’s make sure that we continue to get something great.
Thanks for the reminder – I had this site exempted from my adblocker, but that somehow had become undone. Fixed.
Yes, this is better than having us writers start working the phones during the annual CC Share-a-thon. 🙂
+1
I wish I could donate, after all, I visit everyday. Unfortunately I was out of work for almost a year, just trying to catch up now.
Read one, write one.
Ok, maybe I’m nowhere that ratio. 🙂 I clicked on some ads just now and learned all about the Ford Escape’s current incentives as well as how Westin Resorts wants to provide me with some lodging. Now I’ll click on the Cadillac XT5 ad to the right. Toodles!
Paul: have you considered CurbsideClassifieds? Your write up of the LTD got it sold to Germany. Seems like it could be somewhat integrated into the articles. Charge whatever to write up a CC on an actual for sale CC; less if the seller does the whole article. Just a thought.
/ad-block always off here
Yes; researched it. A few other automotive sites have tried it, to no avail. Buyers all go to certain big sites (Craigslist, Ebay, BAT, Hemmings, etc.) There’s no $ in it for sites like CC.
I admit that this is one of the few sites where I purposely turn off adblocker; if only due to Paul asking everyone last year or so. Granted, it makes my laptop run a bit harder with all the java script, but at least I know the extra cpu is going to a good cause. But Paul, any flash based ads are just not going to run. Sorry.
A big thank you to you as well Paul. I for one love your website and the time involved taking such beautiful pictures not to mention the research involved. We are all very grateful to you!
I totally forgot I installed an ad blocker on my iPhone when they became available. CC is now white listed and I’ll be donating soon. This site has become daily reading for me.
I feel like an idiot. So very sorry Paul.
I installed Crystal on my iPhone a year ago. Installed opera vpn 6 months ago.
Did this because so many sites serve aggressive ads and ad channels have been exploited in the past as vectors for clickjacking and malware (on Android).
Never occurred to me that cc was serving ads, never noticed them, or to white cc but just did.
Ps, one suggestion, somesites block photos or comments until the page is reloaded w/o blockers. Maybe doing one or both will help with whitelisting. Most folks don’t mind ads as long as they don’t get out of control.
I just donated, and fortunately I sometimes get Amazon ads for things I’ve shopped for, but didn’t get around to actually buying…so I end up clicking the link and making a purchase.
Not sure if making a purchase helps more than a mere click, but I’m hoping that’s the case.
I don’t know if this affects ad revenue for CC…I suspect it does…but I run my iPad with Javascript turned off most of the time on the Safari browser. The reasons: the advertisers themselves who run Flash-heavy video content, and Steve Jobs and his drones at Apple who moronically think the way to handle his bias against Flash is to crash the webpage, with the infamous warning, “A problem occurred with this webpage so it was reloaded.” The reload then hangs…or the same problem occurs again upon reloading. Again and again until the browser gives up (“A problem occurred repeatedly…”).
Flash requires Javascript, so turning off Javascript solves the proble.
I do turn Javascript on when making a comment…like now. It is required for posting comments.
So while I am sorry if simply trying to read the website forces me to deny Paul some ad revenue, it’s better than not reading it at all when away from home (the home computer is Windows 7 running Firefox, AdBlock on, CC whitelisted). The solution is coming soon, budget permitting: this iPad is my last iDevice, ever. I’ve already gone to an Android phone. Good-bye, Apple.
I don’t know how your iPad can do that… my 4 year old iPhone 5 with JavaScript activated and non-AdBlocking will run the page nicely… by I visit CC mostly in Android…
Your iPad shouldn’t be crashing at all. I suspect you have either a very old unit (maybe an original iPad) or not up to date software (if a newer device like iPad Air or any iPad mini, or later, you might do a backup, do. a clean install of newest iOS and then restore data from backup.)
The aging units suffered that crash and message problem on some sites due to a variable combination of factors (fixed memory struggling with ever more content rich sites, aging processors struggling with iOS updates trying to bring new features and SOA security to old devices, some sites not moving to html5 from flash player, etc.) but I thought that had been resolved some time ago (It was on my newer devices but maybe this is due to the ad blocker blocking aggressive ad serving as well as mild.)
I’d go on and give you some pro-tips on android vs security (biggest issue is lack of updates reaching device timely or in some cases ever or ad networks being used as exploit vectors onto Android devices – both are certainly a thing on phone units with vast majority still being on s/w up to 2 years old despite several active root-level exploits in the wild, due to handset makers and telecoms not forwarding android updates out to users, but may not be on tablets, idk so ymmv) but your bias seems pretty much fixed against so I’ll stop here.
I was thinking the same thing. I visit this site almost exclusively on an iPad, and only experienced the page reload issue earlier this year, at which time I’d already decided to replace my device, which was four or five years old (I always keep my iOS updated). And at that, this site seemed to reload less than others (cough, TTAC, cough), and only when the number of comments was over 100 or so.
TTAC comment section is the only of many many sites I visit that freaks out with endless reloading. My guess is they have either aggressive ad serving or analytics (CC has 6 trackers enabled, TTAC has 16, see pic.)
IPad mini…the original one so it’s coming on time for a new one.
IOS 9.3.5, so up to date.
The whole iPad isn’t crashing but Safari is. On the same pages, Firefox simply stalls.
Besides Apple’s attitude toward Flash, I had enough of their arrogance with iTunes and found better ways to organize my music collection. Yes, my mind is probably made up.
I also had a mini1 but sold it a couple of years ago. Keep in mind 9.3.5 is last release for mini1 but is not current, for non obsolete devices current that’s 10.2 (which will release probably Tuesday.).
Mini1 was a great little unit, but so much has changed in the past few years that a tablet running the same 32-bit processor as iPhone 4s, with 0.5GB memory is maxed out trying to handle feature rich content; sometimes it can’t decently do that, and that’s when the updates stop. (After 3y use, my sis began to complain about the declining performance of her iphone4, taking it out of its otter box it was pristine, so was tough for her to reconcile that against the hardening of the arteries behind the display. She finally upgraded to an iPhone 6 and is still happy with it after 2 years.)
Re Flash, if you haven’t, do yourself a favor and read Job’s open letter to Adobe. His gripes centered around excessive energy consumption, security and I forget the rest, he also said that he expected that the web would move to the open HTML5 which didn’t present the variety of downsides as Flash. He didn’t live to see it, but Flash has become nearly as big a security nightmare as Java, and the web (along with browser developers who are not embedding it as before) is indeed moving off flash to HTML5 (many sites will serve flash if it’s installed but will play native HTML5 if not; YouTube made this change, gosh maybe a year ago.). Pro-tip: if you have a device with Java (not script) and or flash installed, remove them and def avoid them as browser plugins if you can.
Here’s a good explanation and graphics about how a corrupted site and Flash aids hackers in taking over your PC in 2-3 seconds:
http://thehackernews.com/2016/12/image-exploit-hacking.html?m=1
General IT Security Recommendations:
0. Religiously keep your software up to date and do periodic backups;
1. Remove flash and Java. If you need flash, run it in another browser than the one you use on a daily basis;
2. Install a script blocking software (like NoScript) on your pc;
3. If on iOS install ad blocking apps like Crystal or Firefox Focus, turn on the ad blocking features under Settings > Safari > Content Blockers;
4. Whitelist Curbside Classics! (Else learn how to load with content blockers: on iOS, hold down reload button then chose from menu at bottom; good to know if you install a blocker without a white list option.);
5. If you are on a Windows PC, consider browsing using Firefox or Chrome instead of explorer.
6. Set your mail client to not load photos stored on a remote server (this confirms to spammers and pishers that your email account is live.)
7. Set a entirety different password for each site you log into. With min 12 char and a,A,1,$. Of you can’t remember dozens of p/ws with this complexity, Invest in or use the p/w manager embedded in your device (e.g. iCloud Keychain), browser, or a/v software (e.g. Norton, etc.);
8. For all sites possible, enable 2-step or 2nd-factor authentication.
Good luck!
I’d turned Adblock off on CC and just noticed it was back on. The ads have never been a problem, unlike another site I frequent that makes it near impossible to read anything.
When some ad starts and a voice comes out of nowhere I jump through my skin.
I got spoofed [?] yesterday by “Windows Service Tech ” claiming I had five minutes to call or my computer would be locked. Total scam.
A version of the phone call from “Windows”. This one popped up on the screen and I stupidly called the number. Sales pitch. So dumb and I’ve been so careful. Even gave them remote access because the screen had frozen after the Windows warning came up. Panic and not thinking.
It may have happened then. I don’t remember turning it back on here as I’ve seen the ads just recently.
Running a Windows Defender deep scan, which has been going on for 13 and a half hours now. And to think I could have paid for the privilege.
No more clicking links on the global financial collapse website that gets so much of my attention these days.
This is my favorite automotive site: no snark, no attacks from other members for having an opinion which differs.
There is one I used to go to frequently that I no longer even read the comments. To do that here would be to miss valuable information and personal stories from people I have grown to respect.
Thanks again for the amazing site you’ve created, Paul.
That’s one of the reasons I leave my sound muted by default unless I’m listening to music or watching a video. Between popup ads with sound and legitimate sites that insist on playing videos to go along with other content (I’m looking at you, ESPN) it makes life easier to silence the whole affair unless needed.
I’ve contributed some content (COAL series) but I’ve got quite a lot more interesting cars that I’ve shot and just haven’t yet bothered to write up. New Year’s resolution to contribute both in terms of articles and financially. This is definitely my favorite site on the ‘net (and one of my top time-wasters) and Paul has created a pretty incredible community here.
Good idea, Chris. At least with a DVR I can flash past all that relentless input [while paying $$$ for the luxury of cable, a double whammy].
I don’t mind the ads for things and sites I’ve used. But that sound thing is unnerving. I’m taking your advice.
I block flash, because it causes my computer problems. Static ads don’t bother me so no need to block them. Besides this site is one of the less atrusive ones out there.
I always read CC on my phone, and I’m too lazy to use an ad blocker there. But that’s mostly because CC (and the few other sites I visit, like Shorpy) don’t have intrusive ads. Of course the irony is that I am much more likely to go to an ad on CC than on sites that annoy me with scroll through ads, or popup ads where I have to play Where’s Waldo to find the close button.
So, thanks Paul….
I make commercials for a living, when I’m not on the radio playing disc jockey, at which point I’m playing commercials.
It would be pretty hypocritical for me to adblock my favorite sites, wouldn’t it?
TTAC goes thru periods where the ads are more disruptive than others. But that rarely happens here at CC.
Thanks again for all you do, Paul.