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. 

[Adina P]

Haha...no they'd only pop up for LAURIE the crazy dating site purveyor ;-)  Actually they shouldn't pop up for anyone as dating sites have been blocked from appearing in any ads.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thank goodness...I was afraid to blog :)

[Dori & Rua]

All the ones popping up for me are on web hosting, domain names and dog food.  I was browsing for information on how to do a sani-cut earlier today, so perhaps I will start seeing some interesting ads in the next few days.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sandy, I was only innocently searching for the correct wording for Fudge and Vern's personal ads. I take my discussions very seriously....haha!!

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

ROFLAO!

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

Thanks for an amazingly clean and informative site!  You are responsible for disseminating fun and helpful support to thousands of dog lovers around the world!  Kudos to you! Keep up the wonderful work! 

[Lorraine Bromley]

Adina I thank you immensely  for the creation of this site. I have learned so much and been able to share it with others. Of course I don't like the ads but they are ignorable. I did see one that I didn't think was appropriate as it was against your rules from what I could tell. It was an ad for a specific breeder of doodles. That took me be surprise. If you want to address this it is totally up to you. I didn't click on it so I have no idea whether it is a doodle recognized breeder or not?

Thanks for the web site!

[Carol and Banjo]

Adina - I think the hurt you've felt speaks volumes about what a wonderful, dedicated DK administrator you are.   I love DK and have always appreciated and admired your dedication - "Thank you"!!!!   (And to Clark as well.)   I wonder how many other forums out there dedicate 25% of profits to any cause?    Kudos to you and keep up the great work!   Hugs to you!

[Donna K & Quincy]

The ads no longer show up on my computer, is this the way for everyone or did I just get lucky.

[Adina P]

Technical difficulties.  Also just a suggestion for those who write blogs with photos.  If you lead with text then there's not this vast space between your title and the photo that happens when the ads are there...there will be text connecting it all together.

[Trudy Harlow]

Anything you do is fine with me, Adina.  I know how much work maintaining a site like this is, so I'm just grateful to have the website available to us.  The only thing I would request is no flashing ads because a lot of people can't deal with them due to various physical conditions.  Other than that, you and Clark are TERRIFIC for doing this!!