Escapist's Code of Ethics: Why is it being ignored for ad revenue today?

[crimson5pheonix]

Mayhaps you have some malicious code on your pc. Mayhaps that malicious code is from a poker site.

 

[TheBanMan_v1legacy]

I can confirm I'm seeing the "How Games Train Your Brain" ad for the article, just as the Op noted.

As well, I'm seeing what looks like the actual "article" underneath each and every other article I click on. For example, I click on the "Avengers Assemble - Take My Money Pilot" video and below it I see the ad/article from PokerStars

 

[EvilRoy]

Anyway, I actually bothered to get the link this time. I haven't read it to see if the OPs claims are legit. I probably never will. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/content/sponsored/?ds_t=2556

That link yields an empty page for me right now. Both if I'm logged in or not - I tried Firefox and Chrome. Adblock switched off, too.

Spooky. It's still there for me, same as the one Draco posted, and that link works for me as well. Must be a regional advertisement or something. I'm from Canada if that helps - I think we have different laws about what gambling websites are allowed to do for advertisements or something so maybe that's it.

 

[DracoSuave]

Canada as well... hmmmm...

Mayhaps you have some malicious code on your pc. Mayhaps that malicious code is from a poker site.

Looking into that right now. Did turn off what couple chrome extensions I have just to rule that out.

 

[Silentpony_v1legacy]

Here you guys go. I screen-grabbed it off my lappy because the links work fine for me.

Spoiler

Edit: I'm in Missouri, so region specific may not be the answer

 

[DefunctTheory]

Same as others, linked provided goes to a blank page, nothing on the main page. I live on the US East coast. Perhaps region specific to Canada?

 

[Silentpony_v1legacy]

Mayhaps you have some malicious code on your pc. Mayhaps that malicious code is from a poker site.

I see it too and I've never gone to a poker website in my life

 

[crimson5pheonix]

EvilRoy brought up that it could be a regional thing and for what it's worth, the majority of people saying they see it are Canadian.

EDIT: The company that owns Pokerstars is Canadian...

 

[PointlessKnowledge]

EvilRoy brought up that it could be a regional thing and for what it's worth, the majority of people saying they see it are Canadian.

Put me in the group of Canadians who can't see it.

 

[crimson5pheonix]

EvilRoy brought up that it could be a regional thing and for what it's worth, the majority of people saying they see it are Canadian.

Put me in the group of Canadians who can't see it.

That's easy, pubclub member.

 

[DracoSuave]

EvilRoy brought up that it could be a regional thing and for what it's worth, the majority of people saying they see it are Canadian.

Put me in the group of Canadians who can't see it.

That's easy, pubclub member.

Not sure how I feel about that.

I don't think it's terribly great when a website starts selling its article space as ads--especially after the number of content-providers that have recently left. I don't know if its a bad idea from a business standpoint, but it usually marks the transition from a website people go to for the site, and a website people go to because it was facebook clickbait.

 

[crimson5pheonix]

EvilRoy brought up that it could be a regional thing and for what it's worth, the majority of people saying they see it are Canadian.

Put me in the group of Canadians who can't see it.

That's easy, pubclub member.

Not sure how I feel about that.

I don't think it's terribly great when a website starts selling its article space as ads--especially after the number of content-providers that have recently left. I don't know if its a bad idea from a business standpoint, but it usually marks the transition from a website people go to for the site, and a website people go to because it was facebook clickbait.

I can't tell you what to think about that. But if it makes you feel better, nobody on the Escapist wrote the article.

 

[DracoSuave]

I can't tell you what to think about that. But if it makes you feel better, nobody on the Escapist wrote the article.

I figured as much--that actually makes it worse.

 

[crimson5pheonix]

I can't tell you what to think about that. But if it makes you feel better, nobody on the Escapist wrote the article.

I figured as much--that actually makes it worse.

Why? It's a longform ad that tells you it's a longform ad.

 

[DracoSuave]

I can't tell you what to think about that. But if it makes you feel better, nobody on the Escapist wrote the article.

I figured as much--that actually makes it worse.

Why? It's a longform ad that tells you it's a longform ad.

No, they are links to fluff articles surrounded by ads that take up space that has traditionally been occupied by articles, and is irrelevant for many of the banners they're showing as the 'second top article' for.

6 banners, plus the top story underneath, means seven articles I -don't- have as easy access to, making navigating the site a bit less convenient for looking for content.

It isn't an unfair expectation to find content in the areas normally marked and sorted for content, and ads in the areas set for ads. When ads are insinuating themselves AS site content, then the perceived value of Escapist content is diluted as a result. Simply put, the Escapist qualitatively shows less content directly because of it.

Secondly, if it IS escapist content, then it should be written by the Escapist, to maintain integrity and sincerity of the message. Because it's published as an article, the Escapist is responsible for the content, so if they did not write the content, it dilutes the integrity and sincerity of the Escapist brand in a journalistic sense.

 

[EvilRoy]

EvilRoy brought up that it could be a regional thing and for what it's worth, the majority of people saying they see it are Canadian.

EDIT: The company that owns Pokerstars is Canadian...

Hmm. Mystery solved I suppose. Having roused from my typical Friday stupour long enough to really look at the article, I don't believe that it actually violates the CoE. Its not a commissioned opinion, since pokerstars apparently wrote it themselves.

I suppose this isn't even the worst paid adicle I've ever seen, considering they actually just have a typical website article except its about poker and it has a big sponsored by thing next to it. I've definitely seen versions of this that are just four paragraphs of why this or that company is the second coming plus a 12 piece chicken bucket and have nothing else for content.

Anyway, since I clicked on the link I'm pretty sure the Escapist owes me huge now since I supported them through ad patronage. I'll take my payout in the form of an article explaining why cynicism is the best approach to promises of colonies on mars.

 

[sky14kemea]

Since the problem was eventually solved, it's okay to lock this, right?

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