Get rid of intellitxt

[mat-ster]

Get rid of intelliTXT....

Why you ask

Because
1) THEY DO NOT WORK - YES SIMPLE
2) THEY ARE VERY ANNOYING
3) IF YOU CLICK ON THEM IT IS BY MISTAKE AND SO YOU WOULD BE EVEN LESS INCLINED TO USE IT
4) BETTER WAYS TO ADVERTISE / GET CASH
5) BIT-TECH AND OTHER TECH WEB SITES ARE JOINING THE REVOLUTION.
6) MOST PEOPLE USE AD-BLOCK TO GET RID OF THEM ANYWAY
7) It allows you to click and TRUST links that actually have value to the viewer

I would love it if some one could present the facts

95% clicked by accident
2% wonder what it is when a double green line is under a word
2% employed by Intellitxt
1% web designer testing link

[Steve]

Hi,

Few things to say:

They do work; why would we run ads that don't work?

They can be annoying, indeed, but the links are distinct such that it's easy to tell them apart from other links. I think people overreact to them sometimes.

But more to the point, all you have to do to remove them, is sign up for a myHEXUS account, which is free.

So have the power to remove intellitxt ads yourself, without the evils of adblock, just by logging in to the main site.

[mat-ster]

They work in one sense but totally FAIL in another.............

Hi,

Few things to say:

They do work; why would we run ads that don't work?

They can be annoying, indeed, but the links are distinct such that it's easy to tell them apart from other links. I think people overreact to them sometimes.

But more to the point, all you have to do to remove them, is sign up for a myHEXUS account, which is free.

So have the power to remove intellitxt ads yourself, without the evils of adblock, just by logging in to the main site.

C'mon Steve (now really I bet you had to cringe when you typed that) - please do not talk poooo, Contextual links DO NOT WORK all the reputable studies have demonstrated that they DO NOT WORK.

Not only is the logic broken e.g. http://my.opera.com/usability/blog/show.dml/244465 but the simple fact is the number of downloads for blocking software has outpaced the spread of this kind of web based ad trash.

They have been shown to delay web page loadings, several independant web traffic studies have PROVEN that intelliTXT links have a significant adverse effect on first time visitor numbers, fav folder choices and browser recomendations. (these are the real money makers)

e.g. Volocity reviews, whreviews etc.

So basically you value cash over the web user you have intelliTXT - alternatively you value sustained web traffic and "loyal" add clicking, you use banners and dedicated hyperlinks (no pop up).

[Guy]

You can turn them off for your account, so why are you still moaning?

[Steve]

Your assertions are somewhat... aggressive... mat-ster. And as rastamanblues and myself have already pointed out, you can turn them off.

Rest assured we do evaluate how we deliver adverts, and respond to issues that people raise. But we can't please everyone, it seems.

[matty-hodgson]

how do you turn them off? cos they annoy me too

[Funkstar]

I believe they are off by default if you log into the main hexus.net site (not the forums, thats a seperate login ID).

[TAKTAK]

I'd rather have intellitext and keep HEXUS running, rather than the alternative...

[mat-ster]

how do you turn them off? cos they annoy me too

No Steve not aggressive but assertive in my argument.......which is balanced, factually based and certainly not intended to be offensive in any way.

1) They do not do the job they are supposed too.
2) Virtually ALL browsers do not like them because they are active.
3) Many people are not familiar in how to block them (I use add block so I can not even see them...so I do not need to turn them on or off)
4) I am trying to save Hexus Money...! (they do exactly the opposite of what you think they do)
5) Many viewers are confused by the green double underline and associate the link to the host webpage, this has the knock on effect of making the viewer less inclined to click on a "real" beneficial hyperlink.

I am trying to persuade you that the small revenue Hexus gets from IntelliTXT is more than offset by the average user experience who can not stand the silly pop-up.

I'd rather have intellitext and keep HEXUS running, rather than the alternative...

That is the point ----> In the long run it does the opposite.

In the end

* goes to another web page
* does not bother putting Hexus in Fav folder
* does not tell his friend how good Hexus is
* does not browse hexus when at work because he can not install addblock on the work PC and so restricts the viewing time to when he/she is at home.

The studies have clearly demonstrated that web-sites that use contextual adds have less traffic than if they did not...having the intelliTXT non-active when you navigate via the home page (Edit: ermm this does not work Funkstar) - I think that speaks volumes.

If that is not important - fine, does not bother me either way.

[moogle]

That is the point ----> In the long run it does the opposite.

In the end

* goes to another web page

That's what I'd do. But I've never seen them or don't remember seeing any on hexus before.
Adblock isn't evil, its because of webmasters with no brains spamming the site with them that caused someone to create it. If you got a sensible amount of ads then a decent user would allow them.

[mat-ster]

That's what I'd do. But I've never seen them or don't remember seeing any on hexus before.
Adblock isn't evil, its because of webmasters with no brains spamming the site with them that caused someone to create it. If you got a sensible amount of ads then a decent user would allow them.

But I like Hexus and want to see it prosper "long term" with a diverse viewer base....

Moogle sounds to me like you have some kind of ad block enabled..........Hexus does have several on various pages.

[moogle]

But I like Hexus and want to see it prosper "long term" with a diverse viewer base....

Moogle sounds to me like you have some kind of ad block enabled..........Hexus does have several on various pages.

Nao, I've just seen one now that I went looking for it

But I mostly visit the forums and click the article links from the forum posts. I remember the intellitxt from before but they went.

[Funkstar]

The studies have clearly demonstrated that web-sites that use contextual adds have less traffic than if they did not...having the intelliTXT non-active when you navigate via the home page (Edit: ermm this does not work Funkstar) - I think that speaks volumes.

Yes it does. Well, at least, it works fo rme and thats how it is supposed to work as Steve said.

[TheAnimus]

problem is, its almost certainly not a small revenue!

They actually do have some advantage too, they don't take up screen real estate.

One of the reasons i got rather pissed off with another uk tech forum was because they started taking up lots of the forum screen with adds!

[mat-ster]

problem is, its almost certainly not a small revenue!

They actually do have some advantage too, they don't take up screen real estate.

One of the reasons i got rather pissed off with another uk tech forum was because they started taking up lots of the forum screen with adds!

OK fair point Animus - it's alot of money (but alternative advertising is far better in the longer term)

Yes I agree they are better than taking up the entire screen. (but not when you click on them by accident - which is why they are blocked by most people)

At least Bit-Tech have ditched intelliTXT (correct me if I have assumed incorrectly)

[DR]

Simple - it's not going to happen.

We've given some major middle ground - sign in to the site and it will disappear (and yes, we are losing money doing this but it's our way around it)

We spend a ton of time making sure the adverts and clients are appropriate and we would appreciate all accepting that we are being fair in the way we conduct things.

We are always innovating - who knows what the future might bring.

I am really pleased other publications which you seem to constantly name drop on the forums improve your reader experience. It's a shame that they fail in other areas

We are the most innovative publication out there - doing things first, and more sensibly than others.

If you've other ideas on revenue streams - then of course drop me a PM, I am keen to hear all input (and I will of course let you know if we've already looked at it.)

cheers,

David