How many ads are too much?

[sclewin]

Hi,

I was thinking, how many advertisements does it take to turn a nice web page to a disaster. I know personally I don't mind seeing an ad or two, like on this forum, but I get irritated when I see a web page plastered with ads. Especially if the ads contain questionable content like pornography.

I was hoping to survey this community to find out what people find is a resonable amount of ads and what is too much. Where is that fine line?

I was hoping to get people to both vote on the poll and give their opinion.
Edit:
I forgot to mention. The poll is for number of Ads per web page. So, if you pick 5 that means 5 Ads is too much per page.

[zzurrien]

2 ads can be on a page, maybe 4.
But NO-popups! I hate them :P
But, i think 2ads page/1ad

[faolan]

If the ad compliments the site, or is unobtrusive, a single ad is fine. Any more than that and it starts to get annoying to me. That is, unless, it's at the top and bottom of a very long page.

[satbir]

I think it depends on the layout, context. arrangement, size of the ads and many more context relative thing.

[sclewin]

But NO-popups! I hate them :P

I agree, I hate popups. They are really hijacking your browser

I think it depends on the layout, context. arrangement, size of the ads and many more context relative thing.

True, there is a large difference from a small well placed ad and a huge, blinking, banner ad.

[Sohail]

I think four ads would be the maximum for one page though it really depends on how long the page is. If it was a page that didn't even require you to scroll downwards then one ad would be enough. There should be at least one ad and no more than two visible in any area of your page if you want to make a profit.

[LiOn AnAs]

I think it depends on the layout, context

[sclewin]

I was recently thinking also about what are the less annoying ads and what ads are the worse.

Personally, I have always hated flashing ads, and as I mentioned before, ads that have questionable content. I also dislike any ad that tries to grab my attention. I like freedom and don't want to be forced to do things I don't want to do. Lastly, I don't like ads that lie or try to tell me what to think. Like, those microsoft ads that try to "tell you the truth".

The ads I like the most are text ads, like the google ads found at the top of this forum. They don't force you to pay attention, but are still there to advertise to you. I also like ads that are smart. I mean, ads that are geared to the site I ma on.

[MatthewGB]

Depends on the type and size of the ads. I personally do not mind text adverts or small banners. Nor do i believe a single 480x60 Banner does any harm, provided it isn't a completly different colour to the website and stands out in a bad way.

And, Pop Ups Are the worst thing a website admin can do to their site. :P

[FalseHope]

I don't mind seeing ads on a page. I agree pop-ups suck! and yes, it does matter about the layout etc. Like 10 ads/per page on a small site would just be stupid and wrong, but on a half decent sized website, might not be so bad.. and yes it does matter what kind of ad it is, porn ads are just ew..