Internet advertising can be tricky, especially when dealing with social media. How do you get users to see ads without being ignored or too in your face? While ads bring essential revenue to a website, they can also turn off social media visitors losing crucial social media votes in the process. So don’t waste your valuable linkbait by using tactics that will hinder results and follow these tips.

Bad Tactics

1. In-Text Advertising

This form of keyword advertising inserts a script into a page and double underlines any keywords.  When the mouse is over the keyword an ad pops up that is associated with it.  Social media users thoroughly dislike this method.  Many times this form of advertising will garner comments like “I feel like I’m on a mine field when I move my cursor.” If you do use in-text advertising, simply turn it off until your story is popular so users can focus on your content, not your ads.

2. Excessive Contextual Ads

While contextual advertising can generate revenue, excessive amounts can leave a bad taste in your visitors mouths. Using contextual ads all over the page, in the middle of the page,and in the middle of  paragraphs gets out of control and makes the site look like it is trying way too hard to maximize its income.

3. Pop-ups, Pop-unders and Floaters

These are ad’s that pop up or under the browser window you are on. They have been evolving in tactic and style. Whether it be “shooting the monkeys or whacking the mole” these deceptive dialog boxes can be highly irritating (especially the ones with sound).

4. Too Flashy/Noisy

You don’t want to induce a seizure in the user or visitor to your site. Creating banner ads that flash like crazy and give people headaches will hurt (literally) you more than help. Ads that play sounds or music  add even more distraction to the mix. Visitors rarely stick around a website that plays music, especially when they are in the office, or already listening to music of their own. Intrusive advertising disturbs and disrupts the user so get rid of these immediately to maximize your social media exposure.

5. Too Many Pages

When a site gets greedy and wants to rack up the adviews they split the content up across multiple pages, it is an instant turnoff to social media users.  While slide shows may be great your ad impressions, they can instantly lead to a social media ‘down vote’ and bring the haters out of the woodwork on the comments. If you have 12 items on a list try putting 4 items per page instead of one item every page, your visitors will thank you.

The Good Tactics

1. Consistency

It is true banner blindness is an issue, but instead of trying to combat where you place the ad and further annoy users and disrupt interaction, keep ads consistent. Place ads on the top or sides of the pages, rather than located directly in the text.  Studies show that we are suckers for advertising, even if it isn’t embedded within the heart of the story.  So ditch those ads that float across the screen, and start being consistent and the user may follow up willingly.

2. Honesty

If I click on your ad I want to know where I am going before I get there. Being honest establishes trust. Ads that speak plainly and are not deceptive seem more credible.   Using credible ad sources also make your site look more professional.  Many times lower level ad networks feature poorly executed ads that can “cheapen” your site.

3. Fast Load Times

Social media users are out for information and instant gratification, they live in the moment. Slowing them down are disrupting this process is negative and will be avoided by them. Make sure ads relatively small in size and they won’t die before the graphic even loads.

Using good advertising tactics translates into more social media votes for your website.  Good content is extremely valuable, so follow these tips to make sure that social media is talking about your content, not your ads.

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