What I'm referring to is that you're not communicating on what you do. I didn't find a single recent blog post talking about ads in my feed, when I discovered ads in my feed. That doesn't make it sound like you're really happy to discuss things. Because if you blog about it (like you did after my initial post), suddenly it makes it easier for people to tell you what they think.

Of course I understand that you need to generate revenue, and it clearly is a very high priority for you. But honestly, as a long-time faithful user, you're not going about it in a very diplomatic way for me. It's your way of doing things — fine. Do and listen later. I don't particularly like that, and I'm now at a stage where I've had enough and am looking for alternatives.

Maybe coComment loves me, but I'm not feeling it much these days, I'm afraid.

We ALWAYS listen … but remember we're listening to many, many voices and we've also published direct email addresses for the key executives, me included, so that people can also contact us directly.

Most people have been entirely unconcerned about the ads … with the one common reservation, that you mention, that people want to be able to display their own conversations using the feed without ads. We've therefore removed ads from the own conversations feed and all widgets used to display them.

I'm sorry but I just don't buy the “consult your entire 3.5million user base before you do anything” argument. The reality is that most people don't have the time nor inclination to respond and are usually unclear about how something will actually look and feel until it's there to be seen and tested. We have been fairly bullish about trialling new stuff and then responding to feedback and, upto now, that's served us well. People know that we listen and, where appropriate, respond and they also know that we're not scared to try things and see how it goes.

The second that Microsoft, Sun, Oracle, IBM, Coca Cola, Visa, Adidas and the like contact us for large scale sponsorship I can assure you that those are the ads you'll be seeing. However, for the moment, our traffic is sold via a network.

The ad-free version of the service, priced at $5 for one year's service or $15 for lifetime service (many thanks to Mickey J Barczyk for that idea), will be launched very shortly so all users will have a choice.

You asked whether we love you back and, yes, of course we do … and not just because you were there at the start. But, if you do love us, you'll understand that we have to generate revenues, that this is not easy in the current market, and that there are therefore compromises that have to be made.

Lots of love,

Matt (and the coComment team)

What I’m referring to is that you’re not communicating on what you do. I didn’t find a single recent blog post talking about ads in my feed, when I discovered ads in my feed. That doesn’t make it sound like you’re really happy to discuss things. Because if you blog about it (like you did after my initial post), suddenly it makes it easier for people to tell you what they think.

Of course I understand that you need to generate revenue, and it clearly is a very high priority for you. But honestly, as a long-time faithful user, you’re not going about it in a very diplomatic way for me. It’s your way of doing things — fine. Do and listen later. I don’t particularly like that, and I’m now at a stage where I’ve had enough and am looking for alternatives.

Maybe coComment loves me, but I’m not feeling it much these days, I’m afraid.

We ALWAYS listen … but remember we’re listening to many, many voices and we’ve also published direct email addresses for the key executives, me included, so that people can also contact us directly.

Most people have been entirely unconcerned about the ads … with the one common reservation, that you mention, that people want to be able to display their own conversations using the feed without ads. We’ve therefore removed ads from the own conversations feed and all widgets used to display them.

I’m sorry but I just don’t buy the “consult your entire 3.5million user base before you do anything” argument. The reality is that most people don’t have the time nor inclination to respond and are usually unclear about how something will actually look and feel until it’s there to be seen and tested. We have been fairly bullish about trialling new stuff and then responding to feedback and, upto now, that’s served us well. People know that we listen and, where appropriate, respond and they also know that we’re not scared to try things and see how it goes.

The second that Microsoft, Sun, Oracle, IBM, Coca Cola, Visa, Adidas and the like contact us for large scale sponsorship I can assure you that those are the ads you’ll be seeing. However, for the moment, our traffic is sold via a network.

The ad-free version of the service, priced at $5 for one year’s service or $15 for lifetime service (many thanks to Mickey J Barczyk for that idea), will be launched very shortly so all users will have a choice.

You asked whether we love you back and, yes, of course we do … and not just because you were there at the start. But, if you do love us, you’ll understand that we have to generate revenues, that this is not easy in the current market, and that there are therefore compromises that have to be made.

Lots of love,

Matt (and the coComment team)