Why I think Steemit adding ads is a good thing (and why I think we should support those sponsors)
A few days ago, I saw noticed that Steemit.com was displaying ads (including the one above) on the bottom of posts. At first, I thought it was a bit odd. I suspected that it would turn out to be a bad move. I started noticing a few people complaining about it. Then, after congratulating myself on how smart I was, I started to give it a bit more consideration and ultimately changed my mind.
This is a good thing for several reasons. First, it brings more fiat into Steem. One would think that many of the developers employed by Steemit are holders of Steem themselves. As such, they are more likely than other segments of the population to purchase not only Steem but other cryptos as well. So pulling a portion of their salary from the fiat system is a benefit to cryptocurrency.
Secondly, it serves as a secondary revenue stream to keep the most used Steem front end running. While many of us prefer other front ends, such as Steempeak or busy, the failure of Steemit would be a failure for Steem. So I am all for anything to keep them alive and give them the resources they need to make the user experience more enjoyable.
Finally, I see it as a chance for the Steem community to prove itself and show the world that we are a viable and thriving community. If we were able to get advertisers' attention by supporting the sponsors of Steemit, we might be able to get some of those sponsors onboard to actually invest their own fiat and products in the Steem blockchain.
Imagine if Rupp sold their green bean seeds directly on the blockchain. What if other vendors joined in? Imagine going shopping at a local restaurant or sporting goods store and seeing a "Steem accepted here" sign. What if you could pay Steem to go to an @kidrock concert? Wouldn't that be awesome?
I remember when radio disc jockey Howard Stern kept getting kicked off the air due to his crazy antics. He started motivating his listeners support his sponsors. He told them, as long as you support our sponsors, we'll always be around. This strategy helped him become one of if not the most successful radio stars in the world. I think a similar call by Steemit could help move us in the right direction.
Please let me know your thoughts in the comments.
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I am all for a thriving #steemit. The ads not only support the day-to-day running of steemit and the #blockchain itself but they exhibit to the world that steem is #crypto with a bonafide product and use. We are the real deal. I trust that Ned and the gang will not run so many ads that pages are slow in loading or that ads will appear mid-blog. I think any mid-blog ads should be the choice of the blogger. Otherwise, I am very pleased to see ads on steemit. Let's go steem.
I agree. Though I'm not sure as to how much of the funds go directly to the running of the blockchain itself. I like and share your enthusiasm.
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Aye, methinks these Ad thingys arrrrh one o'those two edged sword issues. With low Steem values I can see the need for extra revenue sources to keep resources online and nodes operating in the black. I hears th' rumblin from critics of the strategy but a deal wit da devil we must but be judicious about it and reassess th' need as price changes. Thank Yea fer the Invite from today's SteemSpeaks Airdrop.
I guess I can see it that way too. But I dont really see the price of Steem as being all that relevant. I want people to use the currency instead of just staking it.
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All depends on what pops up for an add. I think it should be an opt in kind of thing, maybe even a rev share between all steemit users. But that's just me.
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Revenue share could work just as well, at least for my goals. The only thing would be granting share to all the alt accounts people have.
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Aye, perhaps based on rev share coupled with an impression counter? Then the alts that don't do much to actually see the ads would have less to gain.
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I think this is the only sustainable way to grow the Steem ecosystem. In addition, people understand then how Steem could be « backed » by some kind of economic activity.
Nevertheless they should be ads linked to Cryptos, blockchain or social network businesses to differentiate from the rest of the websites.
For now it is google ads therefore I had the chance to see ads that I mostly see everywhere 😉
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See, I don't think we need to limit ourselves to just crypto ads. I want Steem to be regarded as a normal and useable currency capable for quick adoption. In order to be regarded as "normal" we need to exchange Steem for "normal" products. I want to see Steem used to buy shoes, seeds, cell phone accessories and everything else. By supporting unrelated ads, we signal those industries that there is a demand to purchase their products with cryptos sbd Steem specifically.
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Agreed, but it should promote also the ecosystem which will help us in the end. So maybe taking less money from crypto ads than classic ones ;).
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I think ads for shoes do more to support the ecosystem than ads for crypto. Just my opinion though.
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I respect that. I see this more as a 2nd layer of growth and established business.
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I see your point. I keep forgetting how early we are are in the crypto game. Thanks for the follow.
Hey, @moeknows.
One of the things I've enjoyed most about Steemit, and STEEM in general, is no advertising. I do know where you're coming from, and I do believe that Steemit does need to diversify their revenue streams, and ads are certainly one way to do it. I have ways of getting around it, like Brave and using Steempeak, and those who don't mind all the advertising everywhere until they settle on placement can see the ads.
I've actually sold advertising (print) and I've bought advertising (Facebook) and I've ran ads on websites (Google ads, affiliate links), so I've been on different sides of this. It seems like an inevitable thing off the blockchain, but on it, it seemed unnecessary. I'm not convinced that it is necessary. I think it justifies an old way of thinking that probably should have died out long ago, rather than continuing with a new way.
So, Steemit Inc is it's own company, and they can figure out the best way for them to earn what they need to continue. And you and I are free to interact with their dApp, and the products advertised, or not. I believe that's how it ought to work. :)
Thanks for your reply (and upvote). I can understand your perspective. I think that the beauty of the blockchain and competition allows for other options to get around this (as you have noted).
I guess for me, this is more about seizing an opportunity to signal to industry at large that Steem is a currency with practical application and a distribution plan that expands beyond the sphere of cryptocurrency. So with that in mind, I call on everybody with similar goals to support the sponsors.
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