Have you noticed?
Over a month ago we dropped “display advertising” – the ads fed through ad servers (mostly Google) that would display each time a user visited the site. We got paid based on page views and clicks on ads.
We’ve never liked such advertising, so we tried to keep it to a minimum compared to other websites. There are so many websites, particularly in conservative world, where it’s a fight just to get to the substantive articles, and even then it’s just one pop-up after another, one auto-play video after another.
Feeding these ads slowed down the website, and caused readers (here and everywhere) to deploy ad and cookie blockers. Websites had various ways (none of which we used) of defeating adblockers, in case you were wondering.
Fortunately, creating the Legal Insurrection Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3), allowed us a financial alternative not dependent on traffic and ads – donations to us are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
We have now switched to an entirely donor-supported model for all of LIF, including this blog, CriticalRace.org, and EqualProtect.org.
This is something we’ve considered for years, but recent events caused us to pull the trigger.
We’ve received a lot of complaints from readers lately about malicious ads fed into the server systems that feed the display ads, such at this one which would take over your phone (this screenshot was from my phone, so I was not immune).
We’d solve the problem, then after a few weeks it would come back. And we’d solve it again. But enough is enough. You know what? I don’t have time dealing with these issues. We have so much going on beyond the blog, such as CriticalRace.org and EqualProtect.org.
I also didn’t like the alternatives to generate income, such as creating “premium” access and or charging people not to be served ads. We’re just an old-school blog, and just like back in the day I’m a huge fan of “free” access. But there is no such thing as free access – someone is paying for it.
So I finally decided to drop the display advertising. And I feel good about it.
But it does mean a loss of funds. Ad revenue was “do nothing” money – we didn’t have to do anything for it. Dropping display advertising creates a hole in our budget.
So we’re asking the readership — please consider a donation. Monthly donations are particularly important and appreciated – even if a few dollars a month.
Donations, including monthly subscription donations, are tax deductible. If you wish to make a one-time donation by check, our mailing address is: 18 Maple Ave 280, Barrington, RI 02806.
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