'In Post' adverts

[johndon68]

Is it just me or are 'in post' adverts now a thing, been seeing this on random threads for a few days now?

 

[DontAsk]

It's really annoying on mobile where they takeover most of the screen.

I don't see them on desktop as I have effective ad-blocking.

Note to self: must sort out ad-blocking oi my phone. I moved away from Brave, which did a fair job.

 

[fisicx]

I don't see them on a mobile. But that might be because I'm a business member.

 

[johndon68]

I don't see them on a mobile. But that might be because I'm a business member.

I’m not seeing them on mobile, just on desktop.

 

[fisicx]

I’m not seeing them on mobile, just on desktop.

Don’t see them on desktop either

 

[Ozzy]

Is it just me or are 'in post' adverts now a thing, been seeing this on random threads for a few days now?

This shouldn't happen, not sure what is happening here. They should slot inline as a banner between a couple of posts, not inside the posts!
Will take a look when I get a moment to do so.

 

[johndon68]

This shouldn't happen, not sure what is happening here. They should slot inline as a banner between a couple of posts, not inside the posts!
Will take a look when I get a moment to do so.

If it helps, I'm using MS Edge on Windows 11.

 

[Frank the Insurance guy]

I don't see them.

 

[fisicx]

It’s possible it’s Edge doing it. You clicked and accepted something allowing advert insertion.

Try a different browser

 

[johndon68]

It’s possible it’s Edge doing it. You clicked and accepted something allowing advert insertion.

Definitely not.

 

[fisicx]

Definitely not.

Have you tried a different browser?

 

[johndon68]

Have you tried a different browser?

Yes, I've seen it happen once in Chrome so far but, as it is completely random, it's not the easiest thing to test.

 

[johndon68]

Here's an example of the same in Firefox which I only installed 10 minutes ago to test this issue out:

 

[fisicx]

How strange. Don’t see any of that even when logged out.

 

[johndon68]

Don't get me wrong, as I'm not a paying member, I'm expecting to see adverts just never seen them actually inside posts before.

 

[AlanJ1]

I have the exact same as John in Chrome right now.

 

[UKSBD]

You probably at one time or another consented to google ads on this site

go in to the site permission (padlock on left of URL)

Cookies and site data

select the version of this site without the www

COOKIES

Remove - __gads

close and reopen your browser, come back and you should get the Google consent option again

Edit to add. You will probably still get ads, just not personalized ones

 

[johndon68]

You probably at one time or another consented to google ads on this site

go in to the site permission (padlock on left of URL)

Cookies and site data

select the version of this site without the www

COOKIES

Remove - __gads

close and reopen your browser, come back and you should get the Google consent option again

Edit to add. You will probably still get ads, just not personalized ones

Done that and, as you say, no personalised adds but the first thread I look at having come back on to the site, this one, and I get this:

 

[UKSBD]

Done that and, as you say, no personalised adds but the first thread I look at having come back on to the site, this one, and I get this:

That's the same one I get on my site when removing consent

Ozzy probably needs to look at the Auto ads setting in Adsense and maybe reset some excluded areas.

The auto ads settings can be a right pain at times

 

[Ozzy]

Ozzy probably needs to look at the Auto ads

Yep, there was an auto placement setting enabled @johndon68 which I have now disabled.
It has said can take about an hour to take effect, let me know if this appears to have resolved it.
Ads should only be shown left and right on extra-wide monitors, and between every 3rd post, and occasionally a dismissible sticky at the bottom of the page.

 

[johndon68]

Yep, there was an auto placement setting enabled @johndon68 which I have now disabled.
It has said can take about an hour to take effect, let me know if this appears to have resolved it.
Ads should only be shown left and right on extra-wide monitors, and between every 3rd post, and occasionally a dismissible sticky at the bottom of the page.

It was looking good but this has just appeared a minute ago:

 

[Ozzy]

It was looking good but this has just appeared a minute ago:

Well, Google switched back on automatically what I'd switched off.... Google really wants those clicks!

 

[ctrlbrk]

On a somewhat related note, I'm really curious now about what happens if you do drink olive oil every day after 50.

 

[johndon68]

Well, Google switched back on automatically what I'd switched off.... Google really wants those clicks!

Looks like they've done it again - seeing ads in posts again today...

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

I'm also seeing them now.

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

Was there ever any resolution on this @Ozzy ? I mean I appreciate we're talking "first world problems" here.... but it is irritating!!

 

[Ozzy]

Was there ever any resolution on this @Ozzy ?

The workaround was that I need to be informed it is happening, and then log into Google AdSense and disable the automated tests they keep switching back on automatically.
Basically, randomly Google decides it is in my best interests to 'try something new' in the ways ads are displayed as it will 'make me more money'; and they start doing this thing which is an opt out that I have to keep opting out of.

 

[Ozzy]

I've just logged in, and according to the settings it isn't doing any of this at the moment and should only be inserting banners between every third or forth post, and not into the posts.

There are some browser plugins (like voucher code plugins and search plugins) that inject ads into websites you are viewing with the money going to the plugin creator and not the website. What you are seeing could be this;

(From Google AI)
Ad hijacking involves manipulating online advertising, browsers, or mobile apps to display unauthorized ads, redirect traffic, or steal data, often via malware or adware. It includes tactics like malvertising (malicious ads), click hijacking, and browser hijacking, which result in intrusive pop-ups, changed settings, and potential security risks.
Key Aspects of Ad Hijacking:

• Browser Hijacking: Malicious software changes your browser's homepage, search engine, or adds unwanted toolbars, leading to fake search results and excessive ads.
• Malvertising: Criminals insert malicious code into legitimate ad networks, causing ads to infect users' devices, even on reputable websites.
• Click Hijacking (UI Redressing): Deceptive techniques trick users into clicking hidden elements or malicious links, redirecting them to scam sites.
• Adware & Mobile Hijacking: Malware, often installed on Android devices, causes persistent, intrusive ads and redirects, sometimes even in safe mode.
• Brandjacking: Scammers use fake ads to impersonate brands, stealing data through fraudulent login pages.

 

[ctrlbrk]

Basically, randomly Google decides it is in my best interests to 'try something new' in the ways ads are displayed as it will 'make me more money';

Hi Ozzy, and is Google correct?

By that I mean, I don't want to know if you're making more money, but I'd be interested to know if this model google is pushing on you is of some utility to users and not just something that enriches google only.

Cynical ole me, I suppose.

 

[Ozzy]

By that I mean, I don't want to know if you're making more money, but I'd be interested to know

If I enable really aggressive ads, yes it actually does make quite a significant impact on the revenue - but I believe that it will come more from misclicks / fat fingers than actual genuine interest. It also has such a negative impact on user experience; it just isn't worth it for me.
As I mentioned on another post, I purchased UKBF back personally to keep it online rather than shut down - so only need enough income to keep the lights on. I don't draw any income from it, so no need for any aggressive ads.

This 'tweaks' as Google has automatically done only make nominal difference, but as mentioned above that isn't happening right now and in the previews that I watched those injected ads shown above were not live - hence I don't think in this instance it is the UKBF account on Google doing it (words chosen carefully).