Ad network CPMs are seasonal, but I agree that it's a race to the bottom there. Ad networks (including Google's) are designed to maximize profit for ad-tech, not the publisher. The publisher/creator is always the last on line to get paid.
Direct sold digital advertising (OG, cutting ad networks out) is a different story.
Imagine, for example, that HN said they would auction off a single ad slot beneath the navbar to the highest bidder for the year.
How much do you think that would command? Do you think there could be sincere branding value (and actual performance) for the advertiser? I think it could be worth north of 1MM just to promote open jobs at a company.
If it was a clean, tasteful ad, and it was simply to support the cost of running HN, I'm pretty sure most of the audience would put up with it.
The common perception of digital advertising is network advertising. But the type of advertising that is the least annoying and most beneficial to both the advertiser and publisher is direct sold.
Direct sold digital advertising (OG, cutting ad networks out) is a different story.
Imagine, for example, that HN said they would auction off a single ad slot beneath the navbar to the highest bidder for the year.
How much do you think that would command? Do you think there could be sincere branding value (and actual performance) for the advertiser? I think it could be worth north of 1MM just to promote open jobs at a company.
If it was a clean, tasteful ad, and it was simply to support the cost of running HN, I'm pretty sure most of the audience would put up with it.
The common perception of digital advertising is network advertising. But the type of advertising that is the least annoying and most beneficial to both the advertiser and publisher is direct sold.