Thoughts on ads in RSS feeds Jun25 '08
Ads have been immersed into web pages for as long as I can remember - specifically HTML pages. I don't mind ads mixed into web content, as long as they're not deceptive, intrusive, or downright annoying.
For years, my RSS reader has been ad-free, and I've enjoyed the clutter-less environment for absorbing content without distractions. But lately I'm starting to see more ads alongside feed content in RSS readers.
Since RSS is, more or less, a stripped down version of the HTML page, I'm accustomed to seeing only the content I wish to read. An RSS reader is not meant for visual layout, and is typically more confined space-wise. An HTML page, on the other hand, can utilize the entire browser viewable portion to designate certain sections for content, and sections for ads. If this is done effectively, the ads do not intrude on the content.
With RSS readers, though, you're not designing a layout, you're just presenting the raw content. Therefore, ads in RSS feeds are more intrusive than they would be on an HTML page.
Take, for example, this screenshot:
This is way too obnoxious. It's also hard to differentiate whether the ad image is, in fact, an ad, or part of the content (maybe they included an image in the content source).
What I find additionally unnerving is that this particular feed only gives me a brief portion of content, suggesting that I click through to read the fullarticle. Couple that with an obnoxious ad, and it's a poor user experience.
I suppose I'll take the same stance regarding ads in RSS feeds, as I do with ads in HTML pages. If done effectively and minimally, ads shouldn't intrude on the users ability to absorb the content.
Overall, I suppose it will just take some time to get used to ads in RSS feeds, because they're certainly not going anywhere.
Categories: Advertisements 
, RSS
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matthom is published and produced by Matt Thommes - an independent publishing enthusiast, mobile blogger, content creator, informative writer, web developer from a suburb of Chicago.
Never one to conform, Matt intends to promote the effect the web has on our lives, in an effort to intensify, instruct, and clarify all that is happening around us.
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