fishingboatproceeds:

Hank and I have always felt varying degrees of discomfort supporting our YouTube videos with advertisements. We don’t control the content of the ads or who sponsors our shows, and many times we disagree with the advertisers.

I do not, for instance, think gold is a good investment, or that Obama…

I understand that the issue prompting this is the conflict of interest between John, Hank, & select viewers with what’s being advertised, but here’s my take on things. 

1] Even if ads are removed from the vlogbrothers videos those companies will still be advertised elsewhere, and their momentary appearance on a screen shouldn’t hit people so personally. In order to have any internet experience a miniscule amount of tough skin is required. 

2] I also feel like the viewers bringing this to your attention don’t understand how the adsense program works. Yes, Google ads are vaguely based on the content of the video, and they’re also selected based on the viewer’s demographic and internet browsing. I’d assume that those concerned are under the belief that you, the Vlogbrothers, selected these advertisements yourselves. 

I love you guys, your content, and understand your predicament- but I’m afraid I wouldn’t donate to get ad-free Vlogbrothers videos. I want you both to have sufficient financial support, but I’m more likely to donate towards a cause during P4A instead.

In short, I vote that you keep the ads and continue creating the content we all enjoy for as long as it’s something you enjoy as well.

(I also hope you don’t hold my apparent “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” attitude against me. =])