I seem to be getting pop-up ads on the bottom of the screen on the forums. It just happened today and it's been going on all day and this evening. Is it going to be like that from now on? Is it because of the new takeover?

[sarahsweets]

I have adblock and do not have any ads;

[DocJohn]

We have implemented a small set of ads to help offset the costs of running the website (now that we're no longer associated with Psych Central).

We are working on a way to disable these and still support the site financially (if you are able to do so) by becoming a subscriber. Existing supporters will also see fewer ads.

[muncie]

I find these pop up ads extremely annoying. They are huge. 10 inches across and 1-1/2 inches down. I have been a member of psych central for 10 years. In an attempt to join mysupportforms, when asked for a user name, I used my old name of muncie and was told it already exists by another member or doesn't meet our standards. So I feel locked out with very annoying ads.

[ArtleyWilkins]

The ads are definitely not small and not limited to the bottom of the screen. They show up in the middle of threads, breaking up the thread. Very unfriendly and annoying. Sounds like you are saying payment will be expected to get rid of them. So much for a free support site. I suspected that would be coming.

[sarahsweets]

I swear I do not get any ads at all with popup blocker....

[DocJohn]

There are a few ways you can become a supporter of the site ("Grand Poohbah") without payment:

https://mysupportforums.org/faq.php?...in#faq_poohbah

While we haven't implemented the non-display of ads yet for this group, that is the plan.

There may also be some themes that display fewer ads....

[divine1966]

Mine sometimes play on the bottom of the screen. I use my phone for forums. It doesn’t bother me really. Just part of our reality. It costs money to run websites and forums so advertisements help with the cost

Today the ads are taking over half my phone screen. They didn't bother me before when they were on the bottom of the screen. But half my screen is annoying.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by WovenGalaxy

Today the ads are taking over half my phone screen. They didn't bother me before when they were on the bottom of the screen. But half my screen is annoying.

I use the "Black" theme and have never seen any ads.

Originally Posted by BethRags

I use the "Black" theme and have never seen any ads.

THANK YOU BethRags! That was going to be my next question, since I saw DocJohn mention themes as well.

[ArtleyWilkins]

I agree. When I changed my theme, they went away. I use the spring theme now without those crazy ads all over the place.

[buddha1too]

I didn't pay much attention to the ads until I saw this thread. The first ad that caught my eye, however, was one for online gambling; this was just legalized in my state. I'm glad I don't have a gambling problem!

I'm glad there'a a way to eliminate the ads since many of you find them so annoying. I'm going to sign-off now since I've got some business to take care with my online bookie. If I don't pay up, he's going to virtually break my kneecaps!

[ArtleyWilkins]

Yikes! That's an unfortunate ad for a mental health forum!

[divine1966]

Are these ads localized? Mine are all for my specific area. Right now is advertising local pharmacy.

[buddha1too]

Originally Posted by divine1966

Are these ads localized? Mine are all for my specific area. Right now is advertising local pharmacy.

Yes. Your computer decodes an algorithm that gives it your location & possible interests. I don't mean to make you paranoid but, for all intents & purposes, Big Brother IS watching you!

[divine1966]

Originally Posted by buddha1too

Yes. Your computer decodes an algorithm that gives it your location & possible interests. I don't mean to make you paranoid but, for all intents & purposes, Big Brother IS watching you!

Yeah I knew normally advertisements for other forums/sites are localized. But with this particular forum I was reading what kind of commercials others get and I wondered if it wasn’t localized for this forum. My adverts, when I notice them, are of no concern. Just a minute ago it was a local college. Lol I am done with college. Now it’s printing photos at this one shop. Might be actually useful.

[buddha1too]

Originally Posted by divine1966

Just a minute ago it was a local college. Lol I am done with college

Maybe our computers also know when we're not educated enough!? Little do they know that most of us have Ph.Ds from the "School of Hard Knocks."

[divine1966]

Hahah school of hard knocks lol that’s for sure. That often means more than actual degrees

I don’t know what they are trying to say and what they are hinting at but I get a lot of college advertisements by mail too. SMH

Hahah now it’s adverts for couples counseling. Hahah what are they trying to say. I never paid attention until this thread. At least it’s not one of those graphic ones of ear wax I see on some other sites. Hahah

[MsLady]

Originally Posted by WovenGalaxy

THANK YOU BethRags! That was going to be my next question, since I saw DocJohn mention themes as well.

Can you explain this?

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by divine1966

Are these ads localized? Mine are all for my specific area. Right now is advertising local pharmacy.

yes, basically your browser settings aka google, chrome foxfire what ever browser you are using is telling them to pick ads according of what you search for, pictures/memes you searched, things you have liked/ love or reacted to on facebook or other social media.

if you dont want local ads and dont want ads selected based on your internet activity go in to your browser setting. example on chrome settings are found inside the menu (those three dots in a line at the top of the browser page next to the head/ avatar picture/ user picture. in there read down until you see the word settings. after in settings go down to personalize your web experience. turn off the button under that, that says ....

"Improve your web experience by allowing Microsoft to use your browsing history from this account for personalizing advertising, search, news and other Microsoft services"

you may also need to click into your microsoft privacy dashboard (you will see a link to that also in this same settings area of personalize your web experience.)

in other words its not the computer automatically spying or keeping track of your data. its how you have your settings set.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by buddha1too

Maybe our computers also know when we're not educated enough!? Little do they know that most of us have Ph.Ds from the "School of Hard Knocks."

no your computer doesnt know your education its working according to how ..........you............have set your internet browser settings. browsers like google chrome foxfire have menus where you can set your settings on whether you want your ads to be personalized based on your location and interests. if you dont want this to happen just change your internet browser settings example chrome has those three dots menu at the top of the browser page, click on settings and set your setting for if you want personalized ads or not. if you have personalized then every time you use chrome it will give you ads based on your searches, and anything you are doing by using chrome.

Originally Posted by MsLady

Can you explain this?

@MsLady do you mean explain what a theme is? If you go to "edit options" in "my profile," you can change the forum's "skin" which seems to be the term used here for theme or color / background. There's different colours from pink, black, teal, etc. When I changed the theme for my account, the ads went away.