: Do you have to tell the user that they're viewing ads I'm creating a feed that will show different subjects with Masonry. These "boxes" will be clickable and link to external websites. Now
I'm creating a feed that will show different subjects with Masonry. These "boxes" will be clickable and link to external websites. Now some of the "boxes" in Masonry will eventually be ads.
I read somewhere that if you're showing ads on your website, you MUST display something like
---------- ---------- ----------
| | | | | |
| Box | | Box | | Box |
| | | | | |
---------- ---------- ----------
Advert
Is this true? Because I would prefer to keep the normal boxes and advert boxes the exact same so the user doesn't know that they're clicking on ads. Something like:
---------- ---------- ----------
| | | | | |
| Box | | Box | | Box |
| | | | | |
---------- ---------- ----------
I'm not trying to con anyone, the adverts will obviously have relevant information, but I'd prefer to keep the user oblivious to the fact they just clicked on an ad link.
More posts by @Speyer207
2 Comments
Sorted by latest first Latest Oldest Best
There is no legal requirement. However, it might be considered good ediquette if you do indicate Advertisement or Sponsored by to let your users know that this is leading to an external site and is not part of your site's content.
Depending on how you present the ads in relationship to your content, some users may view non-disclosures as false advertising, and get turned-off to using your site (i.e., bounce).
Additionally, since you may not be able to control which ads are displayed, this will likely result in some discontinuity between your site's content and these ads.
Also depending on the code used, a disclosure might help explain why the content is blocked by ad filters and blocking programs, which would otherwise not be understood.
All of these factors might actually hamper your site's performance/effectiveness, so it's likely wiser to add a disclosure, regardless of legalities.
May be in some countries you have to tell the user that something is advertisement, although, as far as I know, that is not a requirement, as long as you don't violate their privacy.
But, If I'm one of your users, I read one of your pages/feeds and click on something that happens to be advertisement and I didn't know it beforehand, I'll block you immediately.
I'm sure I'm not the only one, so may be you reconsider your strategy for something more honorable.
Terms of Use Create Support ticket Your support tickets Stock Market News! © vmapp.org2024 All Rights reserved.