Facelift no. 1: A New Look across Platforms
As a loyal, nay, devout reader of Forbidden Histories you have probably noticed the recent change in design.
Feeling it was high time for a new look that was easy on the eyes and consistent across all our social media platforms, I also quickly realized my despicable lack of artistic abilities. So I decided to commission two different designs from freelance designers offering their services at Fiverr, and then make a decision which one to use for the foreseeable future.
As soon as I had the first design (the one that is currently featured), I promptly replaced the old one, which I always suspected might deter rather than attract potential readers (believe it or not, images of William James at a seance, and of folks in hypnotic trance can and do push buttons in some people). I have meanwhile received the second design, but honestly don’t know which one I like better.
So the obvious thing to do is ask you folks which one you would like to see in the future. Please have a look at both designs, and then cast your vote using the poll form below within the next two weeks (i.e. by 30 June).
Option 1 (Current)
Option 2 (Alternative)
Poll closes on 30 June 2018.
Facelift No. 2: Ad placements
You may also have noticed that I’m currently experimenting with ad placements on the website, as a potential way to subsidize at least some of the costs of running Forbidden Histories. However, I realized that I don’t have nearly as much control as I would like to have over the types of ads served by Google Adsense.
So here’s another huge favour you can do me if you can spare a couple of minutes:
I’m not 100% certain how Google’s ad algorithm works, but if I’m not mistaken visitor responses will train it to decide which ads it will place again in the future. So please revisit as many posts and pages as you have time to briefly look at, and then minimize those ads which you think are dodgy or just plain hideous.
However, please don’t eliminate ads only because they have no obvious connection to Forbidden Histories. For example, I’m keen to keep ads from universities, Abebooks and other legit advertisers even if they aren’t directly relevant to our content, so please do not ‘click away’/minimize those.
You can help me get as many votes on the new design as possible, and train Google ads, by passing on the link to this page whenever you feel it suitable
Thank you for your help!
Andreas Sommer
