Classified Ads, Revenue, News vs Tracking

[August1991]

In the past, people bought newspapers for classified advertisements - or the sports page.

This paid for journalism.

The ads were full page, or in the lower right; like the yellow pages. (Remember the yellow pages.)

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Nowadays, the ads are f*uped javascript, written by guys in India, that randomly take over the entire screen.

 

[herbie]

2 hours ago, August1991 said:

In the past, people bought newspapers for classified advertisements - or the sports page.

Those classified ads, like the other ads PAID for the newspaper. That's what led to the rise of the Buy&Sell type papers, where you didn't have to pay for an ad.
Yes, that whole thing went the way of the dodo.

Some are still around like AutoGouger where they list used cars for prices so outrageous only a lunatic would consider it. The insanity has spread to the digital world... some bozo here watched too much TV and heard old C10 pickups were popular for rebuilding. So he listed an old 84 on blocks for $6300. Even posted a bunch of photos on Marketplace showing the flat tires, rusted out bed and dented, mismatched doors and fenders, even an interior shot of a ripped to shit bench seat that looked like a family of badgers has used it for 20 years.

The Print shop I owned 25 years ago did a small local buy/sell monthly paper. Free classifieds and local shops paid for ads inside and cutout coupons on the back page.
Made a little bit, but not enough to cover the effort after a year or so. Cost a nickel to print, a toonie to buy spit half and half with the seller. The tagline was " Only $2 - it's just another coin "

Edited July 18, 2025 by herbie

[August1991]

1 hour ago, herbie said:

Those classified ads, like the other ads PAID for the newspaper.

.....

Those ads PAID the salaries of the reporters, journalists.

Most people didn't read what reporters wrote - they bought the paper for the ads. 

[herbie]

Don't be silly.
Old farts read the news before they read the obituaries 
Younger ones read the news before the job, car and for rent ads.

[August1991]

On 7/18/2025 at 2:31 PM, herbie said:

Don't be silly.
Old farts read the news before they read the obituaries 
Younger ones read the news before the job, car and for rent ads.

Dan Rather, Bernard Derome are different.

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People bought the paper for the classified ads.

And the sports scores, or the cinema times.

[August1991]

On 7/18/2025 at 2:31 PM, herbie said:

Don't be silly.

...

But they loved the local gossip.

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In French Quebec, this still exists.