[WEB4LIB] Re: Free Britannica Going Away

[Mike Madin]

A specific example is Academic Info.  Ad revenue is down 90% since last fall
so we were forced to increase the number of ads per page earlier this month.
Initially (1998-1999), we relied solely on donations but with only around 1
in 300,000 visitors donating we were forced to introduce ads at the
beginning of 2000.

There seems to be an odd irony with online advertising: When you pay for a
print subscription advertising is assumed but with free online content ads
are anathema. For example, when you subscribe to the print version of
American Libraries (or any other magazine or newspaper) advertising isn't
giving a second thought but when you access the *free* online version ads
become offensive.

Even though I'm no fan of corporate America, I'd rather live with online
advertising than see the demise of all independent search engines,
directories and portals.

Just a few thoughts,

Mike Madin
Academic Info - http://www.academicinfo.net
Seattle

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----- Original Message -----
From: "Daniel Messer" <dmesser at yvrls.lib.wa.us>


> That doesn't surprise me at all. From what I've been reading recently,
> Internet advertising, especially banner ads on websties are proving to be
a
> flop. Companies that advertise aren't getting a decent return for their
money
> from banner ads and thus pulling their money from the companies that
design
> and distribute banner ads. From what I gather you can expect a LOT of
sites,
> library related or not, to start going to members only. This may even
include
> the free internet providers who rely on banner ads.
>
>
> Dan