Question about advertisements on site

My question has nothing to do with the mechanics of Calorie Count Plus - I'm a bit concerned that, every single time I have to log calories or activity (which is, of course, frequently thoughout the day), or read through the Forums, at the bottom of each and every page I'm on thus far is a political support link for McCain And Co.

I am admittedly not anywhere close to the man in thought or belief, and that may be why I notice it more or it bugs me so much; however, even if it were a constant plug for the guy I'm going to vote for, I'd still think this site isn't one that should be - page after page after page - used to plug a particular candidate. We have enough of that everywhere we turn, and I really wish that, on something I have to use so much of the day, this wasn't turned into some built - in soapbox for someone's political agenda, even if it were for someone I would even think of supporting.

Is there anyway that can be toned down some? Even though I'm actually very active in following politics, there are many times I truly am tired of it being shoved down people's throats when they don't ask for it.

Thanks.

I always get ads about Las Vegas vacations.  I don't think CC has any control over the ads--it's just some sort of spontaneously generated general ad.

I tend to agree with emer13. I think CC has much control over what ads you see.  I think part of it is determined by settings on your computer (ie cookies, history of sites visited, that type of thing).  The ads I seen today have been for Clinique and a discount tire company. I also tend to see a lot of ads for diet/weight loss plans.

If it really bothers you, I suggest you try Firefox as your web browser, and add the adblock plus extension. That's what I use, and I didn't even know CC had ads until I turned adblock off to look.

On the other hand, the ads help pay for CC, so keep that in mind as well.

If CC didn't have advertisements then it wouldn't be free! Would you rather pay? Or see advertisements?

Recently, I've been getting the one about discount snow tires.  It must depend on region, and the particular online profile each person has developed.

Using the Forum Search feature, I found past discussions on this topic that you might find interesting

http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/search.php?s earch_type=forum&forumid=13&searchpro =ads&x=54&y=10

http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/search.php?s earch_type=forum&forumid=13&searchpro =advertising&x=46&y=8

http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/search.php?s earch_type=forum&forumid=13&searchpro =advertisements&x=38&y=12

You may notice in these threads, suggestions from moderators to report any inappropriate ad by using the "contact" link at the very bottom of the page.  This is our site and we should help to clear away bad ads.  We want the good ones to keep CC free.

Thanks, everyone, for weighing in with your opinions - I think it's interesting to read other people's thoughts on it, even if they aren't the same as mine.

And I don't mind ads - not at all. I'm well aware that in order for a service to be free, you have to have sponsors. The one that bothers me is the banner across the bottom on every single page that is an ad for McCain's campaign - I think politics (like religion) should be an individual choice, and I think that putting an advertisement for any candidate - even if it was for Obama, who I am voting for - shouldn't be done on a site that has all kinds of people who use it. It should remain neutral and non-political, just like if there were ads for different religions, it might be offensive to those people who don't follow that religion. (Sorry - I've been "politically correct" long before it became fashionable and somewhat irritating, since I lived in a college town for years! It's habit. )

And I don't think the ads have anything to do with the profile or anything - I'm REALLY liberal, and if anything, McCain ads would be the very last thing they'd put on my browser, though it could be because I'm from Michigan, which is one of the "swing states" in this election, I guess. And, I don't care if other people are conservative - that's cool too, and their business. I don't think ANY political ads should be on the site, that's my whole point.

Anyhow, as said, everyone's entitled to their opinion, and of course, Calorie Count Plus has to have ads - no problem there. I just don't like the ones that are biased in some form, is all.

Yes, there are more important things to think about - just my thoughts, was all. Again, thanks for your input! (And thank you, clairelaine - I'll check out those links!)

HA just yesterday I was ranting at my computer how this one particular ad that comes up (travelzoo) with the scrolling window MESSES UP MY COMPUTER! GRRRRRRR  It really bogs everything down whenever I have the window up with that advertisement.  As soon as I close the window, things speed right up again...

~H~

Ads pay for the "Free" service.  Get over it or use the features of your browser to tone them down.

BTW I get equally sick when I see ads for the other camp in this race, but if they pay for them, which I am sure they do, I have no issue for it.

I normally notice the weight loss ones more, but just looked at what I had on this page.  One was for the Army and the other was McCain.  I wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't said anything.  I'm going to guess that about gets certain advertisers that it uses for all it's sites which just rotate.

Yes I agree I am not a Mccain fan either! But as long as his advertisements are not swaying your vote it shouldn't bother you... Unless you are worried they might sway other people! ;)

The ones that bug me are other weight loss programs! I am already in one and know all those fad diets do not work! Thats why I am on CC for a reason! :)

anyway... Go OBAMA!

oakmommy - you pegged it! LOL I know what I think - I just think it's unfair advantage to give the ability to plug a particular ideology through a supposedly non - political site. (And to that guy up there who said he doesn't like to see ads for the other side, as well - hey, I totally agree - certain things shouldn't be used for biased advertisements, even including the people I support as well. I am an equal opportunity whiner. lol)

Anyhow, oakmommy - I agree, why advertise other diet plans on this one that works? Goofy, isn't it? Amazing, what people will do for a buck - or three, or many.

Oddly enough -- I am getting Obama ads occasionally -- and I am far more likely to vote republican than EVER, EVER, EVER democrat....

But I also get the WaWa roll up ads, the quick weight loss ads, the "patch" ads.  The ads are google ads and so the are random in that you don't know what will come up next and they are rarely the same every time.  Not so random in that yes they are a result of cookies and terms on the screen and your previous search attempt

Hmmm... sorry this is probably no place to discuss politics lol... like we have been saying... but honestly why on earth would anyone want McCain as our next president? First of all he is just another Bush! He isn't going to change anything and thats obviously what our country needs right now CHANGE! And also what kind of a choice is Sara Palan? You know... McCain is getting up there in age and what happens if he dies? Could you honestly see her as our next president? thats probably beyond the point... I think he is just throwing in the towel to be honest with ya!

Anyway sorry about that, I could go on and on... but I better stop lol!

He isn't going to change anything and thats obviously what our country needs right now CHANGE! And also what kind of a choice is Sara Palan? You know... McCain is getting up there in age and what happens if he dies? Could you honestly see her as our next president? thats probably beyond the point... I think he is just throwing in the towel to be honest with ya!

Sorry, but I just can't resist responding to that.

Not only could I "honestly see her as our next president,"  if I were given a ballot with the four candidates (McCain, Obama, Biden, Palin) as the choices for president now, I'd cheerfully vote for Palin.  She is, IMHO, the most exciting candidate of the four.

The fact that she's not a "typical" candidate and that she hasn't directed her entirely life's energies at becoming President is a positive, not a negative.

I was leaning reluctantly toward McCain.  With the addition of Palin to the ticket, not only am I going to vote for McCain, I'm also contributing to his campaign and volunteering for them.

> I think he is just throwing in the towel to be honest with ya!

As you might guess, I disagree.

Original Post by lissafaith:

oakmommy - you pegged it! LOL I know what I think - I just think it's unfair advantage to give the ability to plug a particular ideology through a supposedly non - political site. (And to that guy up there who said he doesn't like to see ads for the other side, as well - hey, I totally agree - certain things shouldn't be used for biased advertisements, even including the people I support as well. I am an equal opportunity whiner. lol)

Anyhow, oakmommy - I agree, why advertise other diet plans on this one that works? Goofy, isn't it? Amazing, what people will do for a buck - or three, or many.

 

Isn't all advertising biased to the point of view (product) that it is promoting.  How are these any different than driving down the road and seeing all the billboards, bumper stickers, and other stuff. 

Is it that you don't like the candidate and thus it is an issue?  Would you feel the same way if it was an Obama ticket ad in the same way?  I am a solid McCain supporter and I would not be feeling that way if it was an Obama ad.  If Obama's campaign wants to spend money on an ad and I happen to see it I'm not going to be that worried about it.  This is how these things work.

Original Post by ledgehanger:

He isn't going to change anything and thats obviously what our country needs right now CHANGE! And also what kind of a choice is Sara Palan? You know... McCain is getting up there in age and what happens if he dies? Could you honestly see her as our next president? thats probably beyond the point... I think he is just throwing in the towel to be honest with ya!

Sorry, but I just can't resist responding to that.

Not only could I "honestly see her as our next president,"  if I were given a ballot with the four candidates (McCain, Obama, Biden, Palin) as the choices for president now, I'd cheerfully vote for Palin.  She is, IMHO, the most exciting candidate of the four.

The fact that she's not a "typical" candidate and that she hasn't directed her entirely life's energies at becoming President is a positive, not a negative.

I was leaning reluctantly toward McCain.  With the addition of Palin to the ticket, not only am I going to vote for McCain, I'm also contributing to his campaign and volunteering for them.

> I think he is just throwing in the towel to be honest with ya!

As you might guess, I disagree.

 Sorry I would have a lot to respond normally but all I can really do is laugh.  That is hilarious!

Original Post by ledgehanger

Sorry, but I just can't resist responding to that.

Not only could I "honestly see her as our next president,"  if I were given a ballot with the four candidates (McCain, Obama, Biden, Palin) as the choices for president now, I'd cheerfully vote for Palin.  She is, IMHO, the most exciting candidate of the four.

The fact that she's not a "typical" candidate and that she hasn't directed her entirely life's energies at becoming President is a positive, not a negative.

I was leaning reluctantly toward McCain.  With the addition of Palin to the ticket, not only am I going to vote for McCain, I'm also contributing to his campaign and volunteering for them.

> I think he is just throwing in the towel to be honest with ya!

As you might guess, I disagree.

 People like you are the one's that are making me extremely nervous about this  election.

Palin is a joke.

Ya with all that is going on with our country right now... You would cheerfully vote for Palin based soley on the fact that she is not a "typical" candidate?

That is just pathetic...

It's like the Hilary supporters that are so butt hurt that Obama didn't pick her as a running mate they are voting for McCain. Why are you even voting people!??

Guys ~ 

There are threads in the Lounge discussing this topic.  Please take the political posts there. 

Are you watching the RNC?
McCain's VP pick - Sarah Palin

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