Subscription service like Ars, TechSpot or TPU

[bmadd89]

Hello.

Are there any plans to add a subscription service or maybe Patreon tiers to the site, for an additional source of revenue? I subscribe to Ars, TechSpot and TPU, and I'd love to be able to do the same thing for Anandtech.

I don't live in the states, so the AT Deals aren't an option for me and i refuse to browse without an ad block and other tools. I want to support AT in some way, as i enjoy the content and am currently freeloading.

 

[Pohemi]

Revenue comes from advertising.

What good would a paygate be for these forums?

I don't see the reasoning or justification for it besides avoiding the new wave of morons we've seen lately, but it would likely chase away some of the older, longtime members.

 

[bmadd89]

Hi Pohemi. That's not what i'm asking. If you'd looked at the 3 sites i specifically mentioned, they don't lock content behind a paywall.

Ars: https://arstechnica.com/store/product/subscriptions/
TPU: https://www.patreon.com/TechPowerUp
TS: https://www.techspot.com/news/83981...te-optional-subscription-remove-ads-plus.html

What i'm asking/suggesting is a way to support the site that doesn't involve ads, providing AT cash directly, for the ability to read the site and know i'm paying for quaility content. I'm happy to pay sites that I spend hours on, each and every week, reading indepth articles or news items. I'm happy to put my hand into my pocket and pay for good content, since i financially can.

All i'm asking is for a way to actually contribute to AT's bottom line, as i won't do it through viewing ads.

 

[Pohemi]

I understand that, but for subscription services, there is usually incentivization involved to motivate people to do so, whether it's by paywalls or 'extra' features or special forums only accessible to subs. All I see that doing is alienating people to be honest.

Many people who browse Anandtech's site and forums use ad-blockers in their browsers, myself included. But many of them (myself included) also allow exceptions in their blocker, to allow ads to run on Anandtech.

You not allowing ads to run, or clicking on them for income to the site, doesn't mean nobody does. They advertise because it works. They make money from it.

I hear your desire to contribute, but you are honestly asking for something that A) isn't likely needed to support the site, and B) would likely piss off some (or a LOT) of users.

 

[bmadd89]

I'd pay $50USD/yr to simply have an ad free layout option and general tracking scripts removed, like Ars. I don't care for anything else as the feature i seek are the articles the editors write, not some gimmicky badge for the forums or an exclusive area for those that pay.

This is a feedback area. I've given them my feedback and i hope it's implemented, but it's ultimately in their hands to decide.