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FORMAL PROTEST


kewfriend

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On a recent Deceangi posting about Jeremy's DB probs the following google link appeared at the top of the screen:

 

http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/iclk?sa=l&ai=Bdu3XIAtbR8LEI4nU0wTftp3wBqP-sj73xb7IBMCNtwHg-iAQARgBIOvIhAY4AFDxiJrlAmC7vq6D0AqgAZ2PmfYDqgEKMDIzNTIxNjE2OLIBFmZvcnVtcy5ncm91bmRzcGVhay5jb226AQk0Njh4NjBfYXPIAQLaATtodHRwOi8vZm9ydW1zLmdyb3VuZHNwZWFrLmNvbS9HQy9pbmRleC5waHA_c2hvd3RvcGljPTE3OTM2NIACAakCzMGi0OECwT6oAwHIAwXoA4wC6AOMA_UDAAEAAA&num=1&adurl=http://www.iwantareferendum.com&client=ca-pub-4515533114039152&nm=12

 

I have no views on the political subject covered but I think it FUNDAMENTALLY UNACCEPTABLE that UK Geocachers are being directly targetted with UK orientated political advertising. This particular advert is deeply contentious - whether you concur with it or do not concur with it, and I feel that Groundspeak has been the subject of cynical manipulation of its worthy apolitical presentations.

 

Am I happy for Groundspeak to be part funded by advertising. YES I AM - in fact a lot of the GC.COM related advertising is useful and welcome.

 

Do I think this type of advertising is a worthy intrusion on the apolitical nature of geocaching: NO I DONT

 

Comments from others??

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When your site hosts Google ads you basically have to take what comes. I have a blog on Windows security issues (http://nick.brown.free.fr/blog, since you ask :)) and I put Google ads on there for fun (oh alright, in the hope of retiring early; so far I've earned $0.00). Almost every ad which appears is for fake security software which will, in reality, slow down your PC and install spyware.

 

You can follow Jaz's suggestion, but even if Groundspeak want to do something about it, they may not be able to. I believe they have clicked something to say "no porn" but I doubt if there's anything saying "no politics". Don't forget that for Americans, unfettered political advertising is normal (I read that the total ad spend for the next presidential election will be in the $4 billion range).

 

BTW, the more the word "p o l i t i c a l" is mentioned on this page, the more likely it is that <tries to find a synonym in best "Just a Minute" style> ads will appear...

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BTW, the more the word "p o l i t i c a l" is mentioned on this page, the more likely it is that <tries to find a synonym in best "Just a Minute" style> ads will appear...

 

You're right - and an absolutely valid point. To try and balance it out a bit....

 

GPS, GPSr, sat-nav, satellites, geocaching, travelbugs, hiking, walking, tupperware, hedges

GPS, GPSr, sat-nav, satellites, geocaching, travelbugs, hiking, walking, tupperware, hedges

GPS, GPSr, sat-nav, satellites, geocaching, travelbugs, hiking, walking, tupperware, hedges

GPS, GPSr, sat-nav, satellites, geocaching, travelbugs, hiking, walking, tupperware, hedges

GPS, GPSr, sat-nav, satellites, geocaching, travelbugs, hiking, walking, tupperware, hedges

GPS, GPSr, sat-nav, satellites, geocaching, travelbugs, hiking, walking, tupperware, hedges

GPS, GPSr, sat-nav, satellites, geocaching, travelbugs, hiking, walking, tupperware, hedges

GPS, GPSr, sat-nav, satellites, geocaching, travelbugs, hiking, walking, tupperware, hedges

 

:)

:)

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Many thanks and the following despatched.

 

On the suggestion of our moderator I have contacted you because of this google linked advertisement.

 

http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/iclk?sa=l&ai=Bdu3XIAtbR8LEI4nU0wTftp3wBqP-sj73xb7IBMCNtwHg-iAQARgBIOvIhAY4AFDxiJrlAmC7vq6D0AqgAZ2PmfYDqgEKMDIzNTIxNjE2OLIBFmZvcnVtcy5ncm91bmRzcGVhay5jb226AQk0Njh4NjBfYXPIAQLaATtodHRwOi8vZm9ydW1zLmdyb3VuZHNwZWFrLmNvbS9HQy9pbmRleC5waHA_c2hvd3RvcGljPTE3OTM2NIACAakCzMGi0OECwT6oAwHIAwXoA4wC6AOMA_UDAAEAAA&num=1&adurl=http://www.iwantareferendum.com&client=ca-pub-4515533114039152&nm=12

 

I welcome the fact that GC.COM takes in appropriate advertising and helps fund the much welcomed developments in the site. GC.COM needs and seems to have a good commercial focus and balance. However GC.COM has always (correctly) sought to stay out of the political arena and related contentious areas. This one has slipped under your guard and I strongly urge that you take the appropriate action to not let it 'slip under the wire' again.

 

Best wishes and keep up the good work.

 

KewFriend LONDON

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As I have Adblock installed I never see adverts anywhere on GC.com so I missed this one.

 

<SNIP>

 

I use Adblock as well and I couldn't work out what all the fuss was about - until I turned Adblock off. I was amazed at how much I have not been seeing. About 45 secs was enough though and I turned it back on again so everything looks nice and tidy one more.

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On a recent Deceangi posting about Jeremy's DB probs the following google link appeared at the top of the screen:

 

http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/iclk?sa=l&ai=Bdu3XIAtbR8LEI4nU0wTftp3wBqP-sj73xb7IBMCNtwHg-iAQARgBIOvIhAY4AFDxiJrlAmC7vq6D0AqgAZ2PmfYDqgEKMDIzNTIxNjE2OLIBFmZvcnVtcy5ncm91bmRzcGVhay5jb226AQk0Njh4NjBfYXPIAQLaATtodHRwOi8vZm9ydW1zLmdyb3VuZHNwZWFrLmNvbS9HQy9pbmRleC5waHA_c2hvd3RvcGljPTE3OTM2NIACAakCzMGi0OECwT6oAwHIAwXoA4wC6AOMA_UDAAEAAA&num=1&adurl=http://www.iwantareferendum.com&client=ca-pub-4515533114039152&nm=12

 

I have no views on the political subject covered but I think it FUNDAMENTALLY UNACCEPTABLE that UK Geocachers are being directly targetted with UK orientated political advertising. This particular advert is deeply contentious - whether you concur with it or do not concur with it, and I feel that Groundspeak has been the subject of cynical manipulation of its worthy apolitical presentations.

 

Am I happy for Groundspeak to be part funded by advertising. YES I AM - in fact a lot of the GC.COM related advertising is useful and welcome.

 

Do I think this type of advertising is a worthy intrusion on the apolitical nature of geocaching: NO I DONT

 

Comments from others??

 

Thanks for bringing it to our attention. We do have the power to eliminate specific advertisers. I will have this particular one eliminated from our site. Note that it may take a few hours for the ad ban to take effect.

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