Those annoying ads in Site Updates
Revised: 08/21/2019 1:14 a.m.
- Aug. 13, 2019, 4:58 a.m.
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- Public
Hey everyone,
I’ve been getting a few messages here and there about some of the ads that are showing up being annoying or full screen takeovers of some kind.
I take this kind of thing super seriously, and that’s unacceptable. I’m doing some research into how I can disable them.
If you see any ad that’s super annoying and you have the ability, please capture a screenshot (or tell me a bit about what you’re seeing) and send me an email. It would also be helpful if you could share whether you were on a phone, tablet, or computer so I can narrow it down.
We’ll get to the bottom of this!
For now though, Mochi and I are going to bed. It has been a looong day.
Update 8/20: I think I’ve fixed all of the full-screen issues as well as the ads inserting themselves into entries over the past few days. For whatever reason, Google automatically turned on their new “auto ads” feature and cranked it to the MAXXXXX. I’ve scaled things back down to where they were, and am pretty sure we’re back to normal.
Thanks to all of you that reached out, do let me know if the crazy comes back.
<3,
-J
Last updated August 21, 2019
J.E. ⋅ August 13, 2019
Sweet dreams Mochi!
Mystery ⋅ August 13, 2019
Muah!
GypsyWynd ⋅ August 13, 2019
Smooches to Mochi.
Jigger ⋅ August 13, 2019
Thanks for being so on it.
Blue Echo ⋅ August 13, 2019
I might have had that a few days ago but didn’t think to take a screenshot. I was on my phone and got one of those browser hijacking “dear iPhone user, you’ve won a free gift card” messages every time I tried to log on here. It lasted maybe a couple hours. Hasn’t happened since, though.
Deleted user Blue Echo ⋅ August 14, 2019
I got that too ! I just signed off and logged back on and it was gone .
WeAreStarStuff ⋅ August 13, 2019
I have seen those ads a few times on mobile. It’s a full screen ad that tells the iPhone user they won something. If I see one again, I will be sure to take a screenshot and email you. Thanks.
Newzlady ⋅ August 13, 2019
I will subscribe eventually, but if subscribers got an ad-free experience I’d prolly pay today, even though I haven’t had any pop-ups. knocks on wood
josh Newzlady ⋅ August 13, 2019
Subscriptions are ad-free!
Newzlady josh ⋅ August 13, 2019
Oh! I didn’t see that in the info box. Cool. Thanks.
ConnieK ⋅ August 13, 2019
Moochie will hunt them down.
Eurynomus ⋅ August 13, 2019
ad-block plus is adfree and totally free
josh Eurynomus ⋅ August 13, 2019
Great point. Unfortunately that'll cut into any revenue generated by the ads being displayed, which is why I encourage users to turn it off on PB -- or subscribe, which also gets rid of ads.
Every little bit helps.
Eurynomus josh ⋅ August 13, 2019
Oh, you really dont want to know my opinion on that
josh Eurynomus ⋅ August 13, 2019
To each their own!
Deleted user ⋅ August 14, 2019
I haven't run into any of those unruly ads on my Android devices (Chrome browser), just the standard banner on top and square on bottom of pages. I'll keep an eye out for those pesky buggers though.
Deleted user Deleted user ⋅ August 14, 2019
Same here. I have an Android and surf on Chrome. I see just typical small ads. And when I'm on my Chromebook the ads are normal. I've never been bothered by them.
Deleted user ⋅ August 14, 2019
Or they could subscribe and bam.. no ads ;)
josh Deleted user ⋅ August 14, 2019
Ha, no comment
Small Town Girl ⋅ August 17, 2019
I havent seen it. Or noticed bigger ads anyway.
Witchy Woman ⋅ August 17, 2019
💖 will do! Keep up the great work!
Curiosity- can you put a link in the drop down to "contact support" that could give us the option to add an image? It may make it easier for the tech unsavy. 😉
yzyzyz ⋅ August 18, 2019
I'm worried about the full screen ads in Myaccount now. lol
Leanne 🌈 ⋅ August 18, 2019
What a sweet little face I love that shot.
Deleted user ⋅ August 20, 2019
I don't think it's only Iphone I have been on my mobile and the past couple of days ads have popped up before the entry starts while I scroll and then breaking up the entry just in the middle of it I didn't take a screenshot
josh Deleted user ⋅ August 20, 2019
What the heck! Working on this
josh Deleted user ⋅ August 20, 2019
Okay, I think I fixed it. Let me know if it keeps being crazy
Deleted user josh ⋅ August 20, 2019
Thanks looks good I don't see any
Newzlady ⋅ August 21, 2019
I’m joyously ad-free since subscribing!
ConnieK ⋅ August 21, 2019
The subscription option is a very effective method to weed out unwanted ads. :)
White Rabbit ⋅ August 22, 2019
I haven't noticed that yet!! If I do I will try to take a screenshot and post it for you! Then you can see which company and maybe track that down in your ad system? :) Have a great night!
Writing To Escape ⋅ August 23, 2019
That picture actually melts me.
Justlovely ⋅ August 26, 2019
Thanks, Google, right?I hate that we've all sold ourselves to this deevil in one way or another. I have read a bit about the difficulties that people encounter financially just trying to keep any website afloat. I haven't been on in months, severe case of writers block, so I'm just jumping in to your news about subscriptions, and all.
Duke ⋅ August 26, 2019
Hey, there seems to be a database corruption issue going on. I am seeing duplicate entries, people commenting on one entry have comments showing up on other entries. Oh and one private entry suddenly showed up multiple times. Public.
AlmostGenuine ⋅ August 27, 2019 (edited August 27, 2019)
Edited
Is there a way to embed a video (hosted elsewhere but not YouTube)? I tried the FAQs, but they are broken. :(
rosemallow ⋅ August 27, 2019
Josh I’m confused again. I was bounced out of my paid account as ODSago after an odd note left noting in the heading the sale OxyContin online. I did it open it but tried to copy the title. Anyway I am in re this old diary written when my husband was dying. But cannot figure why I cannot get into my ODsago one. I tried the patgeejay@gmail address and my patgjames@mac.com addresses. I also on Mac can be reached at patgjames@me.com. But none reach my paid account that I write in often. Can you help?
josh rosemallow ⋅ August 27, 2019
Of course! Looking into this now
rhizome ⋅ September 02, 2019
hey josh!
i paid for a monthly subscription as soon as they opened. but then suddenly today, ads started appearing again. i checked my bank account and i’ve definitely been charged for a second month. can you look into this and fix it?
thanks!!
-a
josh rhizome ⋅ September 03, 2019
Hey there! Sorry about the issue, there was a bit of a hiccup. Everything should be fixed now. Let me know if you run into any other issues :)
rhizome josh ⋅ September 03, 2019
awesome! it does seem to be working properly again. thank you!
Neogy Titwhistle ⋅ October 17, 2019
I understand the need for ads. No problem there. I don't know if you have control over what ads are shown. But seriously . . . an ad for trump hotels??? I'm appalled. And maybe being overly dramatic.