I need know how the pop-up ads are functioning for everyone - from now forward. We're told a fix should be in place now for the excessive displaying.
You will still see the ad. This isn't going to change, I've voiced all I can voice on that - but the fact that it has been showing so, so much is something Rob will (and has) take to the ad agency. They worked on it today and now want to know how things are.
I'm talking about the popup with "This ad is brought to you by Phandroid" at the top that covers the middle of the screen and makes mobile use killer.
It is supposed to show up every so often. But certainly not multiple times a visit/session or every other page load (which was the case for many earlier this week). So, please be on the lookout the next couple days and let reply here if you could and let me know. I'm to report back Sunday night with results.
Thanks!
__________________
Every forum should have a Phases.
The Following 9 Users Say Thank You to Phases For This Useful Post:
Well so far I've made it to this thread from home page and no pop up yet. Ill browse around and see how many I get.
Edit 1: Went to my profile, got it... hit the back button, got it... hit refresh and got it for the third time
Edit 2: Well I just used it for about 10 minutes on the broswer on my phone. Got the ad three times in a row as stated above. Now I'll pay attention to how much I get on on the computer.
Device(s): BIONIC XT875 JB .22/Rooted, Nexus 7 (16GB with CM10), Nexus 7 (32GB stock) Kindle Fire, LG Ally
Carrier: Not Provided
Thanks: 292
Thanked 442 Times in 289 Posts
I signed with Android 2.2.2 stock browser (something I hardly ever do because of the "This ad is brought to you by Phandroid" popup box) and navigated around to several diffrent pages and didn't see the popup once. As far as browsers on windows 7 goes, IDK because I use a add blocker anyway. To be honest if Phandroid were to get around add blocking programs, I would probably just drop my Premium subscription. I know those adds pay the bills but they tend to tick users off too. (Sorry for the rant Phases and thanks for all you do!)
Last edited by dautley; November 10th, 2011 at 11:46 PM.
Device(s): Me - Evo 3D, Nexus 7 - Wife - Evo 3D, Galaxy Tab 10.1"
Carrier: Sprint
Thanks: 2,096
Thanked 3,098 Times in 2,146 Posts
Just tested on both my 3D and Galaxy Tab (stock browser on both). On both, I got the "This ad is brought to you..." pop-up when first coming to AF. Then I navigated to multiple sub-forums and individual threads, then back to the homepage, and never saw it again.
Hooray! While of course I'd rather not see it at all, this is a HUGE improvement over how it was.
Thank you Phases for all you've done regarding this issue.
My problem is that I can't close the ad on my mobile phone. The x to close the ad is too small for a mobile touch screen. the only way around it that I have found is to go back and forth again, and it makes it annoy to sit there and hope that the ad doesn't come back.
3 more since posting this morning. They have all been after being idle for a few on several tabs and coming back in through a link (private message email) that opened a new tab.
The Following User Says Thank You to Phases For This Useful Post:
Device(s): Me - Evo 3D, Nexus 7 - Wife - Evo 3D, Galaxy Tab 10.1"
Carrier: Sprint
Thanks: 2,096
Thanked 3,098 Times in 2,146 Posts
Hmmm... Tested again today. Got the pop-up 3 times in about 10 minutes of general browsing. Looks like I was a little premature with my "hooray" above.
I've got it 4 more times since my last post, and all were after being idle a bit. I don't seem to get it browsing around, I get it when I come or refresh after being on other tabs a while.
I'm seeing much the same as you Phases - if you let it sit there for a while (it seems under 5 minutes but I may be off on the timing) then it throws one at you.
one ting though - I haven't seen if it throws one at you if you're idle while editing / composing a post / reply.
I tend to go a lot of places so I am not sure how many page loads it takes for me but I am seeing it multiple times an hour (8-10). For me it is more of a mild annoyance that I can deal with. I only use the app on my phone now because the ad in question make the site to much of a PITA to deal with in the browser
When I first logged in (including the one I got before I logged in) I had 4 of the ad that blocks the entire screen. But I have been logged in for over an hour and not another one yet.
I wonder if it's a Cookie issue...
EDIT: Before the end of the night last night I had it appear 10 times. it seems that when you are idle for more that about 10 minutes or so, it refreshes the ad to re appear again 3-5 times every time you click on a link within AF.
On Chrome on my pc:
Every single time I open up a notification on a subcribed thread from my email. At least 50% of the time when I click on my shortcuts from favorites.
On phone broswer (stock MIUI): I only go from email on that, about the same as above.
I am also getting them about 25% of the time when I navigate from one part of the forum to another.
I really can't handle any more add-ons for my poor overworked Chrome, as someone had previously suggested. I am getting the same thing in Firefox anyway.
I've been trying to review high priority PMs that have come through the night on my phone, and the ad makes it impossible to use my browser. Very frustrating when I'm in a hurry.
The ads so far today are as frequent as yesterday, so I'll stop commenting myself for now and sunday night give a last comment.
Hope others see this thread post their experiences as well.
Device(s): Nexus 4, Nexus 7 3G, HTC One X, Wildfire S
Carrier: Orange UK
Thanks: 9,978
Thanked 10,514 Times in 5,968 Posts
To buck the trend, I've not seen the popup for ages.
I initially thought it could be because I'm on Chrome, but for a large chunk of the day, I've been using IE9 to see if I can get it to appear, but no.
I've idled on a page for a while (as from above posts that seems to make it happen), then clicked in to a link and it's still not popped up for me. Same with on my handset, no ads on Dolphin so I switched to the stock browser on CM7 and again no popups.
The only obvious difference I can see in my situation to those above is that I'm based in Scotland and the rest of you appear to be in the States? I doubt that's a factor though but thought I'd mention it none the less.
I typically would open the site on my Droid after clicking a link in phandroid's twitter feed. Since the pop-up ad displays over the content every time as an un-registered user and could not be X'ed because it floated away as I swiped the screen, I have been unable to read the articles for some time. I'll post again if I continue to experience this problem now that I have registered on the site.
If this isn't fixed, there is no reason for me to come to the site so the ads won't be viewed either. Perhaps pass that along to the ad company.
Device(s): Galaxy Nexus rooted & ROMmed, OG Droid (retired)
Carrier: Verizon
Thanks: 1,961
Thanked 6,142 Times in 2,826 Posts
@Rob & Phases:
Being a Premium member, I certainly expected fewer "Phandroid" popup ads than this! I counted, and here's what I got:
Of the times I hit "refresh" in the forums, that popup comes up 2 out of 6 F5's. That's 1/3 of the time!
I can see maybe 1 out of 10, but I would surely not have expected a popup 33% of the time I'm in the forums. This makes Premium membership far less attractive to people.
Please talk to your ad folks and see if there's a way they can distinguish a Premium member's login and reduce the popup frequency to that IP some 50%. THAT would be at least tolerable.
Currently, web visitors should see the ad 1 out of every 30 pageviews with the count resetting every 24 hours
We're currently performing some optimizations to our ad code that SHOULD allow ads to load faster
Once we're done optimizing existing ads, we'll be creating new boundaries to ensure all members see LESS ads and Premium members should NEVER get these welcome ads
The amount of ads shown to members/premium and the "Welcome Ads" displaying at unacceptable rates are two different issues but I'm working on both of them. For the past couple weeks I've been relentlessly requesting ALL Welcome ads be removed from mobile and although each time I'm ensured, the problem never seems to go away.
I've sent an E-Mail to our agency requesting they turn off ALL welcome ads to EVERYONE until they can guarantee proper mobile exclusion and accurate web rate limiting. We may not get a response until Monday, but I can assure you that the Welcome Ads and the protection of our Premium Members and Registered Members are a priority on which we're working to imminently improve.
Have a great weekend.
Last edited by Rob; November 12th, 2011 at 11:42 AM.
The Following 13 Users Say Thank You to Rob For This Useful Post:
every time I refresh the page in the Galaxy Nexus thread the pop-up reappears...and we are all breaking the F5 key over there so I am seeing it quite a bit.
I don't have the problem others do with closing it (or hitting the dodgey "X") cuz my screen resolution is qHD.
I know when I was on 800x480, it was impossible to hit the "X" cuz it would move off the screen..
I have qHD too. I'm using the HTC Vivid 960x540 and I can't close the ad. The x is too small. If I try and hit the x I end up going to the ad site instead of it closing. This is ridiculous. See image below. Pinch to zoom doesn't work.
The Following User Says Thank You to galfert For This Useful Post:
Agreed i used to like this site but the ad really kills it for me. I cant x it out on my Thunderbolt, i end up hitting a link instead. Please remove the ad, there are plenty on the site already.
__________________
Galaxy Nexus: unlocked and rooted.
HTC Thunderbolt: Retired, you served me well. Waiting for a sale. Hit me up for info 9.5/10 lots of extras.
HTC Droid Incredible: Sold You will be missed.
Currently, web visitors should see the ad 1 out of every 30 pageviews with the count resetting every 24 hours
We're currently performing some optimizations to our ad code that SHOULD allow ads to load faster
Once we're done optimizing existing ads, we'll be creating new boundaries to ensure all members see LESS ads and Premium members should NEVER get these welcome ads
The amount of ads shown to members/premium and the "Welcome Ads" displaying at unacceptable rates are two different issues but I'm working on both of them. For the past couple weeks I've been relentlessly requesting ALL Welcome ads be removed from mobile and although each time I'm ensured, the problem never seems to go away.
I've sent an E-Mail to our agency requesting they turn off ALL welcome ads to EVERYONE until they can guarantee proper mobile exclusion and accurate web rate limiting. We may not get a response until Monday, but I can assure you that the Welcome Ads and the protection of our Premium Members and Registered Members are a priority on which we're working to imminently improve.
Have a great weekend.
It sounds great that they keep making assurances to you that x or y will be taken care of but if if it never happens then it seems to me that it doesn't take the proverbial rocket scientist to come to the conclusion that maybe I should find another company to do business with. The mobile users continue to recieve ads that are very difficult to navigate around as has been noted with the extremely small "x" to close out etc. I would be very appreciative if these problems could be rectified however there are numerous forums out there. Not that there is anything perferct but...
The only obvious difference I can see in my situation to those above is that I'm based in Scotland and the rest of you appear to be in the States? I doubt that's a factor though but thought I'd mention it none the less.
You might be onto something there actually - it wouldn't be the first time I've been unable to see the ads plaguing American visitors to AF. I'm also in the UK and I don't see the ads. I tried on both firefox and IE and didn't see them.
I have seen them plenty of times in the past, but the current issue doesn't seem to be affecting me.
Device(s): BIONIC XT875 JB .22/Rooted, Nexus 7 (16GB with CM10), Nexus 7 (32GB stock) Kindle Fire, LG Ally
Carrier: Not Provided
Thanks: 292
Thanked 442 Times in 289 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xyro
You might be onto something there actually - it wouldn't be the first time I've been unable to see the ads plaguing American visitors to AF. I'm also in the UK and I don't see the ads. I tried on both firefox and IE and didn't see them.
I have seen them plenty of times in the past, but the current issue doesn't seem to be affecting me.
So are these adds targeted by location I wonder? good question for the add agency!
It sounds great that they keep making assurances to you that x or y will be taken care of but if if it never happens then it seems to me that it doesn't take the proverbial rocket scientist to come to the conclusion that maybe I should find another company to do business with. The mobile users continue to recieve ads that are very difficult to navigate around as has been noted with the extremely small "x" to close out etc. I would be very appreciative if these problems could be rectified however there are numerous forums out there. Not that there is anything perferct but...
I understand your frustration. I sincerely want to say that your continued membership is welcome and encouraged. Whereas you are always welcome to go elsewhere, we hope that you will call Android Forums your android home. I assure you that we all will be seeing positive movement in this area in the near future. Let's give it a chance. Thanks!
Steven
__________________
==============================
My old signature went here ^^
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Steven58 For This Useful Post:
I understand the need for ads, but I'd like to voice my opinion about an ad I see here at AF. When I use my android phone to access this site I have noticed an ad that sometimes appears in the middle of the screen and it hijacks the entire screen. I see the ad but it's too small to click the "X" in the upper right corner of the ad. When I pinch to zoom the browser window the ad shifts to the right and any attempt to scroll to the right, in order to tap the "X" to remove the ad, results in the ad shifting further to the right so that there is no way to see the "X". The only way to get rid of this ad is to hit the back button and try opening the page I was on again. I haven't seen this ad in the last couple of days so it looks like it's being worked on. Thank you Phases and Rob!
I understand the need for ads, but I'd like to voice my opinion about an ad I see here at AF. When I use my android phone to access this site I have noticed an ad that sometimes appears in the middle of the screen and it hijacks the entire screen. I see the ad but it's too small to click the "X" in the upper right corner of the ad. When I pinch to zoom the browser window the ad shifts to the right and any attempt to scroll to the right, in order to tap the "X" to remove the ad, results in the ad shifting further to the right so that there is no way to see the "X". The only way to get rid of this ad is to hit the back button and try opening the page I was on again. I haven't seen this ad in the last couple of days so it looks like it's being worked on. Thank you Phases and Rob!
That is the ad this thread is addressing and has been turned off until the ad agency can fix it.
The Following User Says Thank You to Phases For This Useful Post:
Device(s): Rooted GSM Galaxy Nexus with custom Android 4.2.2 AOKP ROM | Retired Optimus V
Carrier: T-Mobile USA
Thanks: 987
Thanked 1,067 Times in 697 Posts
I use my computer to view the forums 99% of the time (was recently on vacation and used my cell... the popup ad totally killed any enjoyable experience I could of had. Many thanks for disabling it till it can be fixed!).
As for my home work computer... my system security thinks the ads aren't safe because all ads are blocked. From my computer I don't see a single ad on this site, anywhere. However, when the site is lagging and taking forever to load, I can see the ad URL on the bottom left in Firefox trying to load. When those ad servers get bogged down it causes this site to load slower than molasses.
Today alone, in 10 clicks I GOT 10 ads!!! I jumped all over the forums reading different things and each click got me an ad!! I even got an ad in the confirmation screen of a thread I started. Over-the-top!
__________________
/** SGS3 (rooted & stock ROM) **/
/** Asus Prime TF201 (rooted & mildly OC'd) BRICKED BY THE ASUS OTA JB UPATE!**/
/** OG Droid (rooted & OC'd & all hacked up) **/
New member here, today about 9/10 pages that I load have the ad. Unbelievably annoying, especially since I have to zoom all the way out to try and click on the small x to exit out of it. About time to go to androidcentral forums and not look back if this is the mess I'm going to have to deal with every time I come here... Yeah its a free forum but there's enough ads on each page without having one huge one wasting your time
For those seeing the ads OFTEN: do you have cookies enabled? If you don't have cookies enabled, we have no way of realizing you've seen the ad already and shouldn't see it again for X timeframe. Please enable cookies and/or report back.
For those seeing on mobile: device? OS version? rooted? cookies on?
The Following User Says Thank You to Rob For This Useful Post:
Device(s): Nexus 4, Nexus 7 3G, HTC One X, Wildfire S
Carrier: Orange UK
Thanks: 9,978
Thanked 10,514 Times in 5,968 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob
For those seeing the ads OFTEN: do you have cookies enabled? If you don't have cookies enabled, we have no way of realizing you've seen the ad already and shouldn't see it again for X timeframe. Please enable cookies and/or report back.
For those seeing on mobile: device? OS version? rooted? cookies on?
I don't know if it's relevant, but both myself and Xyro (the only non US members who've posted here) aren't having an issue. Could users location be affecting whether or not they see the ad?
I've tried multiple browsers, both on my phone and my PC's at home and work and I've not seen the pop up for ages.
I don't know if that gives you anything to take back to the agency?
Pop-up ads: Feedback needed!
