Macrumors Front Page is no longer rumours - 50% USA only adversting

[laz232]

Past year I have seen a major - detrimental shift to the site - where half the front page "news" articles are just adverts only applicable in the USA.

Often this pushes down actual news and rumours. :/

 

[WildCowboy]

It's far less than half of the articles...it's rare that we publish more than two deals articles in a given day.

But I'll agree that it doesn't look great right now as we have two deals articles on top, which wasn't intentional on our part, just an oversight. It's been a slow news day so far, but we've got some more coming and hopefully things will pick up.

Certainly appreciate the feedback. The deals articles are more prominent since we moved everything to a single news feed on desktop and did away with the separate blogs, so it's something we're trying to balance.

 

[arn]

Are you talking about the deals posts primarily or others as well?

arn

 

[laz232]

Are you talking about the deals posts primarily or others as well?

arn

mainly the deals posts : right now the top two "news" articles are:
Deals: Get the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro At No Extra Cost With Verizon and T-Mobile's Latest Offers
Deals: All-Time-Low Prices Available on Apple's Official iPhone Cases, Starting at $11.97 for Clear Case

I understand that there isn't always news - that's fine - but the site has started to feel "cheap" with so many interstitial ads.

 

[casperes1996]

Are you talking about the deals posts primarily or others as well?

arn

On that point, do you have data for how many visitors read the site from within the US versus elsewhere? Since a lot of deals and giveaways and such are US specific, whenever I see deal or giveaway I just skip it without even thinking about it

 

[nicho]

It's far less than half of the articles...it's rare that we publish more than two deals articles in a given day.

But I'll agree that it doesn't look great right now as we have two deals articles on top, which wasn't intentional on our part, just an oversight. It's been a slow news day so far, but we've got some more coming and hopefully things will pick up.

Certainly appreciate the feedback. The deals articles are more prominent since we moved everything to a single news feed on desktop and did away with the separate blogs, so it's something we're trying to balance.

Articles on MacRumors by Mitchel Broussard

Articles on MacRumors by Mitchel Broussard

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28/8 (today), 24/8, 19/8, 13/8, 11/8, 10/8 (x3!)

Those are the occasions with more than one "Deals" post on the same day (PDT) this month. I'm not sure it's fair to say "rare", more "weekly"...

One thing I'll throw out there is that perhaps OP, like me, is not in the USA - I say this because of the complaint about them being USA-specific. The timing of them in relation to other articles (ie, they end up top of a bunch of things that were posted while I was asleep) could definitely skew the perception that it is the majority of content posted. I know I was surprised, looking back through and realising how they don't form anywhere near as much of the content as I thought.

 

[laz232]

Articles on MacRumors by Mitchel Broussard

Articles on MacRumors by Mitchel Broussard

www.macrumors.com

28/8 (today), 24/8, 19/8, 13/8, 11/8, 10/8 (x3!)

Those are the occasions with more than one "Deals" post on the same day (PDT) this month. I'm not sure it's fair to say "rare", more "weekly"...

One thing I'll throw out there is that perhaps OP, like me, is not in the USA - I say this because of the complaint about them being USA-specific. The timing of them in relation to other articles (ie, they end up top of a bunch of things that were posted while I was asleep) could definitely skew the perception that it is the majority of content posted. I know I was surprised, looking back through and realising how they don't form anywhere near as much of the content as I thought.

I think you are right, it's less than 50% - but because they often appear at the top at times when I am browsing the site - I guess it is confirmation bias on my side.

 

[casperes1996]

One thing I'll throw out there is that perhaps OP, like me, is not in the USA - I say this because of the complaint about them being USA-specific. The timing of them in relation to other articles (ie, they end up top of a bunch of things that were posted while I was asleep) could definitely skew the perception that it is the majority of content posted. I know I was surprised, looking back through and realising how they don't form anywhere near as much of the content as I thought.

I think you are right, it's less than 50% - but because they often appear at the top at times when I am browsing the site - I guess it is confirmation bias on my side.

Yep. I'm thinking though that if it could be done in a way that wouldn't add too much complexity for the editors and staff, to have US-only articles not show up outside of the US?

 

[WildCowboy]

Articles on MacRumors by Mitchel Broussard

Articles on MacRumors by Mitchel Broussard

www.macrumors.com

28/8 (today), 24/8, 19/8, 13/8, 11/8, 10/8 (x3!)

Those are the occasions with more than one "Deals" post on the same day (PDT) this month. I'm not sure it's fair to say "rare", more "weekly"...

One thing I'll throw out there is that perhaps OP, like me, is not in the USA - I say this because of the complaint about them being USA-specific. The timing of them in relation to other articles (ie, they end up top of a bunch of things that were posted while I was asleep) could definitely skew the perception that it is the majority of content posted. I know I was surprised, looking back through and realising how they don't form anywhere near as much of the content as I thought.

I said it was rare for there to be more than two. Two is typical, three is rare, can't remember ever doing four.

We do tend to post them in the morning U.S. East Coast time, as that's generally the best time given the target audience and when the deals typically go live. We'll sometimes spread the posts out and push some into early afternoon.

Our site traffic is typically around 50% from the U.S.

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

I've asked before if the Deals posts bothered anyone. Apparently they didn't at the time, as the thread didn't have many responses at all. They do feel a little cheap to me, especially ones that repeat over and over (deals on Anker products or regular discounts on MBPs, for instance).

It is worthwhile content, but only when I need/want to buy something. I wish there was a sidebar or something just for these posts where I could go only when I'm ready.

 

[Expos of 1969]

I've asked before if the Deals posts bothered anyone. Apparently they didn't at the time, as the thread didn't have many responses at all. They do feel a little cheap to me, especially ones that repeat over and over (deals on Anker products or regular discounts on MBPs, for instance).

It is worthwhile content, but only when I need/want to buy something. I wish there was a sidebar or something just for these posts where I could go only when I'm ready.

It is "worthwhile content" for 50% of the readers.

 

[arn]

I’ll explore possibilities. The affiliate / deal posts are revenue generating and help fund the other stories so there needs to be some balance.

 

[casperes1996]

I’ll explore possibilities. The affiliate / deal posts are revenue generating and help fund the other stories so there needs to be some balance.

Of course, and I'd much, much rather have those posts than no MacRumors. In fact I'd be fine with twice as many if necessary as well. But I'm assuming that the deals and affiliate partners also don't have too much interest in their spots being shown to an audience that would never buy from them anyway, like a US only post being shown to Europeans or Asian visitors. Doubt that helps much. - But of course, only put in reasonable effort - If it takes too much work to hide and show content based on where visits come from or whatever other solution might feel apt, don't bother, it's fine just skimming over the posts.

 

[arn]

oh and to answer your question, we are about 50% U.S. traffic. Next biggest is UK at 9%, 6% Canada, and then it goes down from there.

 

[casperes1996]

oh and to answer your question, we are about 50% U.S. traffic. Next biggest is UK at 9%, 6% Canada, and then it goes down from there.

Wow, big drop off from nr. 1 to nr. 2

 

[Scepticalscribe]

On that point, do you have data for how many visitors read the site from within the US versus elsewhere? Since a lot of deals and giveaways and such are US specific, whenever I see deal or giveaway I just skip it without even thinking about it

As do I.

Yep. I'm thinking though that if it could be done in a way that wouldn't add too much complexity for the editors and staff, to have US-only articles not show up outside of the US?

Actually, that is an excellent idea, and one that meets with my wholehearted approval.

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

Past year I have seen a major - detrimental shift to the site - where half the front page "news" articles are just adverts only applicable in the USA.

Often this pushes down actual news and rumours. :/

Would you consider the giveaways part of this, too? (They aren't USA only, but aren't available in most regions.)

 

[laz232]

Yep. I'm thinking though that if it could be done in a way that wouldn't add too much complexity for the editors and staff, to have US-only articles not show up outside of the US?

At least for the ads -

Would you consider the giveaways part of this, too? (They aren't USA only, but aren't available in most regions.)

I would - giveaways are (understandably) limited to North America and they're not rumours, news or Apple technology related stories...

 

[Plutonius]

Past year I have seen a major - detrimental shift to the site - where half the front page "news" articles are just adverts only applicable in the USA.

Often this pushes down actual news and rumours. :/

Become a supporting member of MacRumors and watch the ads go away.

 

[laz232]

Become a supporting member of MacRumors and watch the ads go away.

(a) I don't see how
(b) including the ads in the news feed?

 

[Apple_Robert]

(a) I don't see how
(b) including the ads in the news feed?

⭐️ Paid Membership (Ad Free)

forums.macrumors.com

 

[arn]

The paid membership doesn’t eliminate deals content but could conceivably be an option in the future. It only eliminates traditional banner ads presently.

 

[icanhazmac]

Casting my vote for things are fine the way they are! I appreciate seeing the product deals and while I don't always need what is being shown at that moment it is an opportunity to see a product or company I might not have known about.

Slow news days happen.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I could see how someone outside of the USA would see these ads. But as shown in this thread, 50% of readers are from the USA.

Personally, I have an addiction to Anker batteries and have used Macrumors deals to snag a battery or two that I have been wanting for some time - or cables. I enjoy them. It doesn’t seem too much.

Tagging the deals / sponsored links and making them an option to hide might be what the OP wants? Maybe making it a feature of the contributor? I don’t know - just a few ideas.

 

[ErikGrim]

I don't mind the occasional deal post. Not every post here tailors to an international audience anyway. And some posts don't tailor to a US audience. I'm fine with that.

The times it does get annoying is when it fills up the feed so I have to click older posts to catch up, even after only a day. Is there a way to not include sponsored/deal posts in the feed total count?