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thanks for the feedback kevin. we understand that ads can be annoying. and we do appreciate you being a fan of the site and spreading the good word. unfortunately, as the site becomes larger and we roll out more and more features, those need to get paid for somehow. nobody here is working for free - we're doing our best to create the best chess website in the world, and that costs $. we're employing more than 20 fulltime employees, and dozens of part-time contributors. i'm sorry that the post-game ad (which only shows up some of the time), is frustrating you. 

a long time ago i wrote an article on the cost of enjoying chess: http://www.chess.com/news/the-cost-of-enjoying-chess

maybe a few things in there to consider! otherwise, i hope you will continue to enjoy Chess.com and will make your payment in the form of minor inconveniences and ads. 

best!

erik

Today's change to live chess caused me to switch to another server I last used in December last year. Not entirely sure how this improves chess.com's profits.

OK, now you're scaring me.  I guess I'd better visit the Live Chess section and see what the commotion's all about.

sftac

ps.  I'd of thought with the website's growth, that there would considerable 'economies of scale' and so, less need for ads, not more need.  Or does that make too much sense?

buy a membership ... it's a bargain

The concept of paying a site to stop harrassing you with ads doesn't have a good feel. 

The site's (premium) merits ought to stand on their own.

sftac

they do. the ads aren't there to bother you. they are there to make money. if the ads were there to bother you, we'd focus on making the ads irritating (pulsing yellow, etc). we'd put in interstitials on every other page load. 

i'm always surprised by people who are annoyed by ads - is Chess.com the only site they use?? almost every site has ads...

google: http://i.imgur.com/OzJ9A.png

gamespot.com: http://i.imgur.com/lpfdL.jpg

cnn.com: http://i.imgur.com/XulNh.png 

facebook.com: http://i.imgur.com/5ZiWi.png

and i'm not sure if you've watched TV lately, but you watch about 15 minutes of ads for every hour of TV. 

so... i'm not sure why you are on a conquest to villify us for using ads. 

the internet = ads. (or, subscribe and don't see ads.)

apart from google, when I joined the site, it was the only website that I consistantly went. I had no other need for other websites. (It was like my facebook).It was a group of people who where all interested in the same thing and having no one to play against. it was (for Me) my first ever feeling of being apart of something that I can just join in at any time

Well, I'm glad Erik cleared up why the ads are here.  They're not here apparently to pressure the non-premium members to subscribe. 

The ads being displayed to the majority of members here are to earn money (presumably through ad-views and 'clicks').   Perhaps like the dating site PlentyOfFish, those ads bring in way more money than any premium subscription services being offered here. 

Sayyy, if the site were making more money off the ads than the membership subscriptions maybe the site should pay us for showing up (or provide us with free premium memberships). 

sftac

I second that

Erik,

Let me get back to my own thoughts.  I'll restate, I understand the need to make money, even the need to "keep the lights on"; you had me there with your logic.  My intention is not to vilify you or chess.com.  Also, you compare the use of ads to other sites and list a few.  Again, I understand "how" sites make money and the use of ads is a tangible, sustainable and relatively easy way to maintaining a service and run a business.

My point was they are overdone, over emphasized and ill-placed.  It's not the concept of using ads I'm burdened with, it's the seemingly indoctrination of them.  Your point is at the heart of it: "the internet = ads. (or, subscribe and don't see ads.)"  I agree with a few of the comments of other users.  I, too, came to and promoted the site because it was a cut above the rest.  It did provide a haven amongst lesser quality (in my opinion) websites that offer chess, and it wasn't, at the time, infested with ads trying to sell me things. 

Clearly, by my track record, I haven't taken the plunge to pay for the service, because the limitations afforded an unpaid user were tangible and viable enough, that it wasn't worth the cost.  My particular situation finds it unwise to pay for games when I have other sensible uses for my funds.  However, I will side that if something is good and of value, it should cost something (sorry for all those that wish to freeload and not pay for quality). 

That being said, I would become a paying member immediately, had I not felt that it was the "turn or else" approach chess.com has decided to manage their business by.  That was my ultimate point.  Now I'm left to decide to pay not solely for quality product, but to not be badgered by your need to get paid.  I again offer, give to non-paying customers a reason to pay.  Let your list include the sites features, more access, etc; but to get this paying customer (and I presume others), don't include, pay or get more ads.

This is intended to be constructive feedback from a potential customer.  Take it for what it’s worth.

i appreciate the feedback, knox. 

we have hundreds of thousands of people playing each day, most of whom don't pay us a dime and use our services for free (despite our costs). most of them understand that they are paying with their ad eyeballs. and a small number of them don't like it enough that they pay. and a small number of them don't like it enough that they leave. i just have to accept the fact that we can't make every single person happy all of the time. i've tried - it doesn't work :)

as an exaggerated example: let's say YOU had a website. if you have no ads, you have 100,000 people playing, but you make no money. now let's say you have the option to introduce ads, cover your costs, feed your family, and have enough resources to build more new cool stuff for the site. but by doing so you'll lose 1% of your users who hate ads enough that they will bail on you. 

so you can choose:

100,000 players and no money
or
99,000 players and money

---------

i'm sorry to all of those in the 1% and i wish them the best of luck finding an ad-free, no-cost experience as good as Chess.com.  

How much money have you spent on Internet services (strictly for private use)?

(Happy & free member heinzie)

If you like something, buy it--that's the only way it grows.  Your money equals more features, better service- a better experience.  If you're not paying with cash, is it too much to ask that you contribute something (think of it as moral support) by having advertising in your face.  It reminds me of all the guys who pirate a game and then complain because they don't make a sequel or the sequel isn't filled with new features---folks, it's your money that makes it happen. 

Btw, don't play the poverty card, if you have a cell phone, cable, internet(!) and eat out a lot (any combination of the above) you just need to make room in your budget.

I kinda like Google's model of less ads, better targeting. Gmail is a good example, no flashy banners, but text ads based on the content of one's email (some find this creepy, I don't-I trust a machine to "read" my mail in confidence). Hell, some of the ads are [gasp] actually useful!

I'M NOT READING ALL THIS, BUT.....

I AGREE WITH THE ORIGINAL POST

I CAN'T EVEN SEE HOW I GOT CHECK MATED BECAUSE THE ADD POPS UP OVER THE WHOLE GAME ONCE THE GAME IS FINISHED...

AND 'S A GIMMICKY FACEBOOK/HOT GIRL ADD AT THAT!  WHAT LOW CLASS

I'M CHOSING A DIFFERENT CHESS SITE

I understand having ads. But must they be after games? I play a lot of bullet and if I don't click right, the ad box is over top of the board as I'm beginning a rematch. Plaster the ads all over the page and make it like Myspace for all I care. Just please get rid of the popup after the games.