Regarding the Different Color Ads You are Seeing

[Adina P]

I realize NOBODY likes ads.  Whether on TV, radio, or websites.  They are annoying and there's always something MORE fun that could take their place.  It would be dreamy to not need them at all.  Believe me...I've resisted ads for a long time, but they are quickly becoming necessary--one of the things that allow us to continue to give you DoodleKisses.com

Doodle Kisses is my baby.  I care about this site and its members immensely. Probably too much.  It's what I wake up to in the morning and what I check last before I go to bed (as well as constantly through the day--even if just on my phone).  I want to do the best I can by you!  While I realize not everyone will be happy with each and every decision we make and we will get complaints, these complaints DO hurt ME personally. They really do.  I'm not so far removed as an admin that I can just slough it off because I like you and I want to see you happy with what we have created and maintain with love.

 

This is not to say nobody should complain.  Complaints give us important information.  But sometimes they aren't constructive and just feels like criticism of my baby.  Please send ME your complaints whenever possible. 

At this point managing a site with nearly 8,000 members and all that comes with it is more than a part time job.  Most of my free time is spent checking in and administering and making sure things are running smoothly.  I don't even participate in discussions half as much as I used to because there's not enough time in my day to do so.  I'm doing the BEST I can to make and keep DK an excellent place to be.  In the past few months I've started moderating membership so that we can keep out those annoying dreaded spammers.  It's not that any one thing is time consuming on its own, but it adds up through the day and with growing membership.  And this is with Clark's help as well.

There's no way to sustain my putting in this level of commitment to you without the site actually doing more than paying its monthly/annual fees.  It just isn't realistic to expect otherwise.  The new ads aren't saving me time or making my commitment to you any less.  But, YES, we are experimenting with new ways to display ads so DoodleKisses.com brings in more revenue -- what you see is pretty minimally invasive in my opinion.  It may or may not be a permanent change.  We have a lot of ideas for improvements but realize that every change can be really dangerous and make members feel intruded upon.  We really do try to tread carefully.

Every page that has one of the new colorful ads added, has had a different banner ad removed from the top of the page.  This actually moves the important content UP on the page.  The only difference is that it is a picture instead of a text ad.  Nobody has to click on the ads if they don't want to.  And the content isn't really much different than what is on the side of pages.  They are obvious ads, in my opinion, and aren't going to be misconstrued as 'DK suggestions'.  If something horribly inappropriate pops up, do let us know.

And please remember that 25% of all proceeds the site earns is donated to doodle and dog rescue.  So even if you really despise these things and vow to never click on them, at least remember that every time someone else clicks on one of the ads, doodle rescue will be earning some money too!  You might wonder "what rescues does DK support?"  Historically we have given to DRC, IDOG, and a local all-breed rescue near us.  We plan on giving to these three organizations and perhaps others again this year. 

Moving forward we will continue to look for ways to support Doodle Kisses and doodle rescue more.  In the next few weeks we are going to introduce a DoodleKisses/Amazon.com store that will allow you to make all your Amazon.com purchases in a way that supports DoodleKisses and doodle rescue.  It seems like a win-win to us.  You shop at Amazon anyways, now you can do it and support doodle rescue and DK at the same time.

I'm on YOUR side.  I am the most active user of this site.  I don't want to do ANYTHING that makes the site suck.  I started this site because I absolutely love doodles, not to be the next Bill Gates.  I feel that we have succeeded in creating the best doodle lovers' community available and we will constantly strive to improve it and keep you happy.  I realize this is one of two kinda noticeable appearance changes lately, but DoodleKisses.com is still the same place it's always been.  The same great doodle loving members, the same rules and standards as before. 

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Adina & Clark- I think you 2 do an awesome job and I can't guess how much time it takes. I don't mind the ads, I was suprised that something new was added not even thinking anything of it. If it's for a good cause you have my vote! Thanks for doodle kisses (and the new logo!)

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I have noticed the ads, but I can honestly say i couldnt tell you what any of them were for, so they certainly dont bother me, I overlook them

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Okay, now I have a serious concern.  Is email really private?  In my emails today, the sidebar had ads for things mentioned in my email. 

I understand HOW they can pop up in a discussion.  For example, the word TENNIS BALLS is written several times in another blog today.   Any time Tennis Balls is typed, there is a link to purchase Tennis Balls.

But private email?  WTD?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I sincerely hope this is a coincidence!

[ClarkP]

Your email is completely private. No one, including us, can log in to your account without knowing your username and password. The password information is purposefully encrypted on the servers so we do not have access to it.  We do not have ads on any private message pages nor any Google ad code there.  Nothing entered there will create any tracking of your behavior with Google.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

It has nothing to do with your email Joanne but rather anything you have searched for on google - that is not private....adds are targeted toward your Google Searches in the past.

 

Hopefully I don't start getting ads for shoes....I get enough of those on my own - ha ha

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Coincidence? I'm beginning to wonder how the ads I see have been for so many subjects / items I have recently searched for or purchased? Is everyone getting ads for pools? Just started building one,  How about men's briefs? DH needed a certain type and just purchased. Motorcycle insurance? Really, DH just got a Harley. I'm just saying, all this is a little too Coincidental and has me wondering how this information is being obtained. Anyone know?

[F, Calla & Luca]

The ones on DK are definitely targeted to your location, things surfed etc. But they do seem to know some things that make you wonder.

[ClarkP]

Ads targeted at you are not a coincidence.  You will get ads about topics you  have searched on Google.  With ad networks no personally identifiable information is ever collected.  But your online behavior is tracked across all Google sites.  For example, I have recently been looking at new wireless routers and yes, I have seen an ad for a router here.  We are but a speck on the grand Google ad targeting network.  It has been this way since DoodleKisses was launched.  The display ads have not changed that.  You can opt out of this if you wish.  Opt out here:  http://www.google.com/privacy/ads/

 

All of members private info and messages are private.  No one can have access to that info without knowing your username and password.  Even we don't know that as it is encrypted for your privacy.  No Google Ad code is placed there nor will any info be able to be taken from your private messages. 

 

Continue to let us know of your concerns.  Thx!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

does cleaning history and cache help?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I would guess they collect the info at the time you're browsing.  so I doubt it. I really do hope Google does not become the evil empire because the scope and information they have is fearsome. I believe I can see a chair on my lawn from the Google earth view. TG I am not on Google street view. My sister is and I get a chuckle seeing her garbage and recycling bins.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Google= the new world order.

Books will soon be obsolete.  College education will be a thing of the past.  Government can and does control your internet.

This is a stretch, but enjoy whatever freedom you have.  Does anyone recall 17th century Europe?  Only a few were able to read, have access to reading material, were not permitted to be educated, and the KING controlled all. 

Sounding a  little pessimistic, I realize, but this how I see things lately. History repeats itself.

I'm certain all  Governments are  a bit shocked by recent events, worldwide, from just a little Facebook chatter.

Oh no, what if the government sides with the AKC and starts to limit Doodle Breeds!  Horrors.

 

PS I think I see the contents of wasted food in your trash can too.  All the way  from Ohio, F.