Ads on Forums

**Kyle** · 07-08-2005, 04:19 AM

I'm curious if anyone would be willing to share their experience placing AdSense or similar text ads on their forums.

If you don't want to be specific about your earnings, I understand. Just curious if its been positive, and how many members your forum has as well as the topic.

Thanks for any info provided.

**chromate** · 07-08-2005, 05:57 AM

I don't have any forums yet - mainly because I have heard time and time again that they're low earners. So I can't offer any direct advice. However, I think if you were going to add text ads on your forums, perhaps implementing it like they have at digitalpoint's forums would work slightly better.

I have to be honest - I don't notice the forum ads at websitepublisher at all. Same with most other forums. Users get used to ignoring them.

I'd be interested to know from other people about this too though, as I could so easily stick up a forum.

**Chris** · 07-08-2005, 06:08 AM

I recently stuck them on my literature forums for unlogged in visitors and they make me about $5 a day.

I think the best way to do them is to put a 728x90 banner below the first post in a thread.

**Nintendo** · 07-08-2005, 12:36 PM

I've made $674.41 from AdSense on a video game message board, since September 3, 2004. This is with an ad at the very top. I've never had an ad right after the first post. If I ever do that, it'll only show up for those not registered/loged in.

**dvduval** · 07-08-2005, 02:48 PM

Yes, I have a popular dance site that does quite well with ads at the top.

**chromate** · 07-08-2005, 03:36 PM

How well is quite well? Nintendo's had ads on since sept 2004 and only made $674. With the extra bandwidth & server load created by forums it still doesn't seem worth.

**James** · 07-08-2005, 04:54 PM

He's in video games. They don't get too great of CTR and the CTs you get, are usually like for 5 cents...

**Peter T Davis** · 07-08-2005, 08:42 PM

I do decent with my forums in Adsense.

**dvduval** · 07-08-2005, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by chromate

How well is quite well? Nintendo's had ads on since sept 2004 and only made $674. With the extra bandwidth & server load created by forums it still doesn't seem worth.

Sorry, I prefer not to post numbers, but I can tell you that you can make some pretty could money by ONLY on a popular forum.

**Peter T Davis** · 07-08-2005, 08:59 PM

Gaming forums are notoriously un-profitible.

**Nintendo** · 07-08-2005, 09:15 PM

This month so far the video game boards have had 97,908 pageviws and have made a measly $4.31. Let's just say there as close to 0.0% CTR as you can get!!!!! Luckly it's not the only site on the server!

Something tells me I should try adding an ad after the first post to annoy non-registered users!!!!

**James** · 07-08-2005, 10:18 PM

Woah, what's that something? Chris?!1!1!1!!1

;D:d;

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**Doug** · 07-08-2005, 11:46 PM

I have phpBB, the free version. Can I even put ads on there? I've been trying to figure out how to add my own banner and ads but I'm not even sure if I can or not.

**James** · 07-09-2005, 12:09 AM

uhhhh... yes?

You can put them in by editing the template, and the license doesn't restrict you from putting them up.

**Mike** · 07-09-2005, 04:59 AM

I think the only way to profit from gaming forums is through amazon, and maybe even Bluetime. Amazon, people will see a game advertised at the top of a forum and go for it. Bluetime, something like $0.20 - $0.30CPM for banners and they are allowed on forums.