AOL Journals: Magic Smoke

Folks,

Joe has told you that the senior executives here at AOL have been listening to your opinions and comments about the addition of ads on AOL Journals.  I'm stopping by Magic Smoke to let you know he's been straight with you on that point.

I'm not here to report that we're changing our strategy on the ads.  The ads are staying for the foreseeable future. Advertising is an important part of how we make money, and we're not ashamed of that.

I'll admit we'd all love a “do-over” when it comes to how this was communicated. On that score, the best we can do now is to work harder at making sure big changes don't occur again without proper communication.

We've learned a lot in the last two weeks... so thank you for your comments here and in email. We've heard loud and clear that you are passionate about what you write about in your blogs. Some of you are convinced that the addition of ads destroys that experience.  I am less certain of that.  I  can't reconcile it with the fact that we have wonderful, passionate communities thriving in ad-supported pages in message boards, Groups, Chat, Hometown, Email, AIM... really across the entire network both inside the paid service and out.

Just like you, we don't all see eye-to-eye on this internally. That's understandable. Since AOL Journals had no ads for so long, I can understand why some believed that they never would.  Some of you have moved on because of this and that's understandable too. We're sorry this change has affected the way you feel about us. We thank you for the contribution you made while you were here. We will miss your words. We will miss your passion.  If you've moved on to another blog provider, we hope you'll maintain the relationships you've made here. You'll always be welcome in J-Land no matter where you choose to blog.

We've also learned how important the J-Land community is to the majority of you who have elected to stay. You are important to this community and to us, and we appreciate the understanding and support that you've shown. A special thanks to all the folks who have thrown a virtual hug around Joe here at Magic Smoke and in email. Thank you for putting this bump in the road in your rearview mirror. We're excited about moving on as well.

I've asked the team to double down and speed up the delivery of some new features you've requested. They are eager to get to it.  Some of my favorites that are coming before the end of the year:

Buddy List Rostering: instantly set your Buddy List as the "roster" for your private Journal - changes to your Buddy List will update the roster automatically.
Blog This: a new feature that allows easy creation of new journals and blog entries that link back to other posts.
Partner Ping: makes it easier for 3rd party indexers such as Feedster, Technorati, BlogPulse, PubSub, Google and others to receive updates to your Journals. This will make your blog easier to find.

Early in 2006, we're working on mobile blogging, online presence, skinning, shared journals and other features that you've mentioned in the past. We would love to hear from you about which of these features you think you'd use the most and why.

Thanks,

Bill Schreiner, VP AOL Community Programming.
Email me at: CommProgramming@aol.com, or leave your comments here.

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• #129 Comment from canyork 
  12/16/05 9:34 PM | Permalink

  I'm sorry to say that I removed my journal this evening from AOL . Flashing ads that sell mortages, and other such high-stress collateral are just NOT appropriate in a meditation journal.
  
  It defeats the point of having built a peaceful, meditative place within my journal for my readers to go after a stressful day.
  
  I was once so proud when AOL featured my journal on the main AOL journal page. And, I was charmed when my loyal readers commented repeatedly that they loved my journal well enough to return regularly to it within the AOL journal space.
  
  But, none of my readers will continue to come to a meditation journal that is filled with flashing ads. I think about my readers first when I write, and I have worked hard to meet the needs of my audience. So, although I have always loved AOL, I have to remove my journal and take it to a blogging host that has a more appropriate environment.
  
  Candace York
  
  
• #128 Comment from ateisgrate2 
  12/11/05 10:57 PM | Permalink

  Sounds like BS to me. As of 2006, I'm outta here. After all, if I want to use AOL message boards or email service, I can now have that for free via AIM... if I wanted it, that is. But I'm through paying for more ad space.
  FUAOL.
• #127 Comment from pattboy2006 
  12/11/05 4:26 PM | Permalink

  <<I know that with every Negitive Feature AOL puts out...Positive ones do Follow in time!>>
  
  Brittany,
  
  I told myself the same thing for ten years.  Unfortunately, I just got tired of getting more negative things.  If you're on a PC, then AOL's virus and spyware protection is terrific.  If you're on a Mac, it doesn't exist.
  
  For at least a few of us who DID decide to leave, the problem is that we've been conditioned into thinking that it's okay to sit tight through the bad with the HOPE that the good will eventually follow.  That's NOT customer service.  
  
  If I'm going to pay for a service, I expect the good features to come first and foremost.  If something bad happens, I want it dealt with immediately and to my satisfaction.  I'm tired of trying to stay hopeful that for every blunder, there MIGHT be one or two good things down the pipe to take my mind off of it.
  
  I'm not saying you're wrong for staying:  if that's what's best for you, then by all means stay.  No one has the right to tell you what YOU should or shouldn't do.  But your remark ironically captures what some of us had just had enough of.
  
  
• #126 Comment from orangekiss3 
  12/10/05 12:24 AM | Permalink

  I stayed..Why? for a few reasons...AOL protects my computer with it's virus software and other firewalls and such....AOL+Computer=Healthy Computer in my eyes! and i will continue to pay for my computers health! I have been with AOL Journals since they first came out!
  The Ads had me Steamed to say the least...yes i lashed out as many did at Joe...and then upon a sign off and cup of Coffee..i cooled off! So Joe I appoligize for any misguided steam over the Ad placement!
  It's like Yelling at the waiter for bad cooked food, Not their Fault!
  
  I am glad AOL Exec's can see how they messed up with the delivery of such a huge change to our community! I do hope any changes from here on out will be broadcasted via Magic Smoke or other methods in advance. I think some of the new features you have laid out for us are great ones..especially the New Skins feature for 2006....we have had only custom color change Options since AOL Journals Began...and it's time you guys step it up..and compete with the other services that provide skins and html customizations! I honestly think with that...people will come back and forget about the hoopla with the Ads.
  I've looked beyond the Ads now....I know that with every Negitive Feature AOL puts out...Positive ones do Follow in time!
  
  A Continuing Customer...
  Brittany (OrangeKiss3)
  
• #125 Comment from lrttklly 
  12/8/05 11:23 PM | Permalink

  Thank you, Joe, for posting this letter.
  Unfortunately, this condescending messgae just confirmed my opinoins about avarice online.
  I don't appreciate the "take it or leave it" attitude. That's just plain old bad customer service.
  Hubris comes before a fall.
  :P Loretta