Google Porn on Forum

[Richard Whipple]

Hello All;

A couple of you have politely brought to my attention the matter of soft porn advertisements appearing on the Forum and I thank you for bringing this situation to my attention.  I have no idea how many others might have seen these ads.  I have not been so lucky to catch these ads myself or I would have acted much sooner and you would all be none the wiser I assure you.   

We use Google Adsense for what is supposed to be worry free and targeted advertisements.  Google is supposed to scan words on the Forum and find appropriate ad content.  This means that we would have lots of ads from PR firms and companies that hawk wares mentioned in posts and in the local language.  It works beautifully in theory, but I am just learning about these things so I thought I would share my new knowledge. 

Well, between the first complaint and this last one, we thought we had solved the problem.  Google disavows knowledge of displaying any soft porn advertisements.  So we actually attempted to lure pornography to an off line site; "off line" in the sense I did not publicize it.  In the process of doing this we discovered that Google Adsense does not formally support adult sites, and the issue was left there.  With only a denial from Google on the matter, I am left to judge Google Adsense filters are unreliable and/or the subject to frequently successful hackings. 

This situation for a serious professional - and dare I say adult - site such as ours is unacceptable. So, Google is about to become a part of our site's history.    I do not have to wait until 4 July to make us independent from their crisis.   

We will still have advertisements, just not those chosen by Google.  I will be more active in selling these, stepping into a role I have not played in 20 years as time permits.  If anyone is interested in buying an ad on this forum, please let me know.  I feel a non-profit forum such as ours should be financially self-sustaining and it does not cost too much to sustain it, especially at this point.  Just send me a PM or an eMail and I will put together a rate card in the manner befitting this medium.

Thank you all, again, for bearing with me.  This is a learning process for me as well as my first time exploring this media.  I am glad you're all a part of it with me.

All the best,
Richard Whipple

[admin]

Hello,

I was very surprised to know that Google (whose moto is "Do No Evil") let ads like those be displayed on our site.

As a result, I have removed the Google Ads from our site.

Regards,
Admin

[Richard Whipple]

I would add a comment that we are now experimenting with a service called AdBrite.  While I do not expect a replay of what happened with Google, in truth, I do not know anything about AdBrite.  It may take a little time before our recent experience is a distant memory and the best way to prevent a replay is to ultimately handle advertising sales in-house.  At the moment, that would be one too many hats for me. 

Still, once bitten, twice shy.

If a replay does occur, you have my full assurance that AdBrite will be pulled too.  Ours is a co-operative effort between you and I and, in as much as that is an implicit contract, I will work to ensure that you all can enjoy 100% confidence when you open your browser on this forum at work, beit among co-workers or family members. 

If you ever see any inappropriate advertising, I would appreciate if you take a moment to immediately contact either myself or Admin (Vivek Ranjan).  My time zone is GMT +1 and Vivek's is GMT +5.30, which means it may take us a little bit of time to co-ordinate ourselves but action will be taken to safeguard the comfort level of each and everyone who wishes to participate on this forum worry-free of any sort of obscene message.

As we work on perfecting this promise,  I ask your understanding. The participation you show now by registering, posting and starting topics will allow the forum to seek out advertisers and I do have the intention to take advertising in-house.  That should solve our just past problem with obscene advertising.

As an aside, does anyone happen to know who handles Google's public relations...?

All the best,
Richard Whipple