One Mile at a Time [OMaaT] discussions [merged]
Jun 14, 2021, 11:37 am
#4321
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: Hyatt Glob; UA 1K; BonVoyage LTT (RIP SPG); HH Dia; JX Insighter
Posts: 1,642
Jun 19, 2021, 11:51 am
#4322
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
I may have got to the bottom of the weird new comments thing.
Under a change to Google Top Stories (the carousel of news items that appears at the top of results when you search for a current news event) this week, you no longer need to use Google AMP to get into it. However, as I understand it, to speed up loading times, Google will cache various parts of your webpage.
Sites with comments will struggle to be included in Google Top Stories because the page content is not static. If its not static, Google can't cache it and so is less likely to include you.
Since Google Top Stories is a huge traffic driver for news-driven sites, Ben may actually be ahead of the pack on this one.
Under a change to Google Top Stories (the carousel of news items that appears at the top of results when you search for a current news event) this week, you no longer need to use Google AMP to get into it. However, as I understand it, to speed up loading times, Google will cache various parts of your webpage.
Sites with comments will struggle to be included in Google Top Stories because the page content is not static. If its not static, Google can't cache it and so is less likely to include you.
Since Google Top Stories is a huge traffic driver for news-driven sites, Ben may actually be ahead of the pack on this one.
Jun 19, 2021, 1:01 pm
#4323
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,166
Others switched to services like Disqus to sidestep the Google thing. Big news media use those since years.
Jun 20, 2021, 12:23 pm
#4324
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: UA 1k, AA EXPLT, NZ GE, VA PLT Hyatt Diam, Marr Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 3,445
MUCH preferred the prior layout (font, colors). The chosen font and size is too large and better used for packaging or a product name and not appropriate for large amounts of text. Kudos for trying something new, but I’m finding it hard to read the articles with the new format. Other than needing a refresh of the outdated OMAAT logo/brandmark, the site itself was efficient and useful. The new site design is—I hate to say—in need of reverting back to the original.
Jun 23, 2021, 7:10 pm
#4326
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: The shape-shifting urban sprawl that is El Lay. FT member #71.
Programs: UA Gold & MM; DL & AA credit card dirt status; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Fool's Gold
Posts: 4,690
"If you prefer the old grid format, or just want to see all posts in chronological order, please click here."
Jul 1, 2021, 5:56 am
#4327
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
It really is uncomfortable. I find it a bit more tolerable if you click on the somewhat low key link at the top, which re-sorts the content:
"If you prefer the old grid format, or just want to see all posts in chronological order, please click here."
"If you prefer the old grid format, or just want to see all posts in chronological order, please click here."
Has OMAAT not gotten enough complaints about the site redevelopment to consider a massive change? Or has there either just not been a big enough drop in traffic/use of the site to make a difference?
With a bounce in travel, perhaps the site’s seeing an increase in traffic/use despite how harsh the site is on the eyes. In that context, maybe the pressure to change the design to something more easy on the eyes is somewhat less than would otherwise be the case.
Jul 3, 2021, 1:51 am
#4329
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: AMS+IAH
Programs: Lufthansa: Senator || IHG: Diamond Royal Ambassador Inner Circle || Plutonium Status
Posts: 3,504
@NWplatinum Could be his site redesign was needed to apply new UX to court new advertisers//partnerships like "Cardless"
When it comes to advertorials Brex is out and Cardless is in, it seems though the blog is tapping into fin-tech markets
At the article itself it does mention it is a sponsored post
When it comes to advertorials Brex is out and Cardless is in, it seems though the blog is tapping into fin-tech markets
At the article itself it does mention it is a sponsored post
Last edited by HadesNL; Jul 3, 2021 at 2:14 am
Jul 3, 2021, 3:52 am
#4330
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
There is no doubt that we have seen a huge jump in ads and sponsored content since we ‘professionalised’ the Head for Points look. The question is whether OMAAT understands what that word means.
This is not a criticism per se - I am 20 years older than Ben after all.
For eg, when we directly sell ads we get 4-5x what Adsense pays. However, you can’t directly sell ads at premium rates if your site is overrun with ads. You make more money by culling most of your ads and focussing on directly selling a couple of prominent spots. The lack of competing ads makes this an easier task.
This is not a criticism per se - I am 20 years older than Ben after all.
For eg, when we directly sell ads we get 4-5x what Adsense pays. However, you can’t directly sell ads at premium rates if your site is overrun with ads. You make more money by culling most of your ads and focussing on directly selling a couple of prominent spots. The lack of competing ads makes this an easier task.
Last edited by Raffles; Jul 3, 2021 at 4:00 am
Jul 10, 2021, 6:24 pm
#4332
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: London, UK
Programs: bmi DC, BAEC
Posts: 1,108
comments volume
I never bother loading the full comments section - i just read the few at the bottom of each article
Has anybody noticed whether the number of comments has changed much since the redesign ?
Has anybody noticed whether the number of comments has changed much since the redesign ?
Jul 11, 2021, 1:44 pm
#4333
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: AMS+IAH
Programs: Lufthansa: Senator || IHG: Diamond Royal Ambassador Inner Circle || Plutonium Status
Posts: 3,504
Now that i think of it......
Maybe i am opening a can of worms...
He never did mention:
- how he flew with his dog to Berlin when their had their short relocation to Germany
(Dog in the cargohold or as an emotional support animal or in the cabin on lap?)
- how his stay went and roomphotos at Intercontinental Phoenicia Beirut Lebanon
(He seems to mention the hotel casually as a place where he bought IHG-points to redeem for)
Just my two cents
Maybe i am opening a can of worms...
He never did mention:
- how he flew with his dog to Berlin when their had their short relocation to Germany
(Dog in the cargohold or as an emotional support animal or in the cabin on lap?)
- how his stay went and roomphotos at Intercontinental Phoenicia Beirut Lebanon
(He seems to mention the hotel casually as a place where he bought IHG-points to redeem for)
Just my two cents
Jul 11, 2021, 7:40 pm
#4334
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 259
Jul 11, 2021, 10:21 pm
#4335
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,037
Now that i think of it......
Maybe i am opening a can of worms...
He never did mention:
- how he flew with his dog to Berlin when their had their short relocation to Germany
(Dog in the cargohold or as an emotional support animal or in the cabin on lap?)
- how his stay went and roomphotos at Intercontinental Phoenicia Beirut Lebanon
(He seems to mention the hotel casually as a place where he bought IHG-points to redeem for)
Just my two cents
Maybe i am opening a can of worms...
He never did mention:
- how he flew with his dog to Berlin when their had their short relocation to Germany
(Dog in the cargohold or as an emotional support animal or in the cabin on lap?)
- how his stay went and roomphotos at Intercontinental Phoenicia Beirut Lebanon
(He seems to mention the hotel casually as a place where he bought IHG-points to redeem for)
Just my two cents