Laura Kirwan
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Stupid text enhance ads hijacking my content.  Grrr.

3/25/2013

4 Comments

 
If your view of my website includes any "text enhance ads" -- those annoying hyperlinks on individual words that produce pop-up ads, please know that I didn't put them there. 

This shows off my web naiveté, but I always assumed when I saw those on other people's websites that they were being paid for allowing them.  I didn't understand why the website owner would agree to it, since the links direct the reader away from the site and the stupid things are just annoying when you're trying to scroll through an article or post.  

So, when I saw them on my site, while looking at it on a family member's computer, knowing damn well that I didn't want them and didn't agree to them and wasn't getting paid for letting another business advertise on my website, I hit the roof.  

I have no legal or financial arrangement whatsoever with these third party advertisers.  They are hijacking my content for their financial gain.  They are implying to my readers that I'm endorsing certain products, which I most emphatically am not.  

They are also pissing me off.  Monumentally.  

I'll see if I can track down anything on my site that might be causing it.  But it's not showing up when I view the site on my computer so, if you see text enhancements, it's probably malware  or adware on your computer.    The good folks at Weebly, my web host, recommended you do a virus scan and then use an adware remover like Adaware.  They also recommended  this instructional guide for removing text enhancement malware from your computer.  

I'm probably tilting at virtual windmills here but I really want to smack these pirates down.  With my legal superpowers.  Which honestly probably aren't all that super when dealing with something like adware.   

But at least I can draw attention to the problem.  If readers know that these types of ads are generally foisted on website owners, many of whom are small business owners like myself, against their will, and that readers can make them go away pretty easily, then maybe they'll be less likely to tolerate them and more inclined to regularly scrub malware off their computers. 

But I'm going to keep looking at it.  If it's not illegal, it should be.  If I rented a billboard and in the middle of night somebody climbed a ladder and pasted an additional, completely different, ad up there, it would be trespass.  

I'll keep you posted.

4 Comments
Jona N Curry link
4/2/2013 10:28:18 pm

Wow - I didn't know that could happen. Thanks for the information. May I say that your writing style really let's folks get to know you.

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CZESLAW KNOBBE link
12/20/2013 02:58:27 am

Yeah these ads are also on my site I just recently designed. Is that even legal? Any Attorney can answer us the question. it's like do not call list, should be something done about the ads that are spreading like a cockroaches

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Laura Kirwan
12/20/2013 03:19:37 am

After my initial outrage, I'm embarrassed to say I never took a closer look at the issue. I suspect that it's slipping between the legal cracks because developing areas of law develop a lot slower than technology. The best bet is to keep checking for malware and scrubbing it away if you find it. Even when laws are passed, like Do Not Call, they're difficult to enforce.

ABE link
4/22/2013 07:40:08 am

I knew going in that when I chose a FREE Wordpress blog, there would be the possibility of ads appearing on my blog - their choice, and with no control from me.

It's in the terms of service.

For now, I'm okay with that. I will do what you did - and find out what KIND of ads they are placing - when I have enough visitors for it to be worth it to Wordpress to use this option.

Then I know I can buy my way out of it, or take my site elsewhere, etc.

I know I could have a domain name without 'Wordpress' in it, and still be on that site, but that I would have to pay a small sum for my domain.

I know all that - and will do whatever is necessary in the future if I have ads and am not happy with them.

If you own your own domain, and did not sign (Accept) such ToS, you should not have ads you aren't getting paid for.

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