Over recent weeks, I've noticed that the right-hand column - about a quarter of my screen - is often taken up with a promotion for an italki teacher. These adverts seem to be individually targeted in some crude form, as in my case they are all Spanish teachers. My profile has Spanish at beginner level, so the system has doubtless worked out that I could do with some lessons in this language.
Unfortunately, this new initiative is having the opposite of the intended effect. Don't misunderstand me. These people all look very nice indeed. The marketing team have chosen the teachers well - pretty women and good-looking men with nice friendly smiles and attractive sales pitches. The problem is that the same three or four faces pop up on my screen with monotonous regularity. It has now reached the point that I am becoming irritated by these people. The more I see "Maria" ( not her real name - just an example ) with her nice smile and impressive CV, the more she annoys me.
Don't the italki marketing people realise that 'less is more'? Don't they realise that bombarding people with promotions is counterproductive? Don't they realise that they are doing "Maria" and her fellow teachers no good at all by having her face appear unbidden and ad nauseam on members' screens?
Is everyone being subjected to these adverts? Or is it a pilot scheme for just some members?
A Message to italki...
I just sent a message to italki Support asking them how they select and post the ads for teachers.
I also asked them how I could have my teacher profile advertised on the site (although I don't really want to do that).
My purpose in contacting them was to find out how these ads are selected, posted, paid for or not paid for - in effect, how these ads get posted.
I'll post italki's reply if and when I get one.
Hi Su.Ki,
As Spangola pointed out I created a discussion about it, not because of the ad itself but because of the fact that the ad I was talking about, said that you could take a lesson for free in a particular day and time, and I did not understand how that worked and if that was "reliable". I have also seen other ads later on, but not offering a free trial lesson.
It also causes me irritation to have these ads (same faces), and I think that if I had to look for a teacher it would not be any of the ones that appear repeatedly in my screen.
As any other ad, I guess that there might be an option for teachers to pay a fee and be advertised in the web, and that is why they are always the same people. It could also be that italki was testing teacher's ads, and see if ads could be a new "business" for them. Although this is something I do not like at all (ads), I prefer them that those teachers who promote themselves openly.
Here is the link to the discussion: https://www.italki.com/discussion/151253
Hope it helps!
This?
Can't find a language partner? Get a 1-on-1 online teacher now!
Hi everyone!
If this helps, in my experience, I think I came across some ad while browsing the "Articles" section of italki—but that was without logging in. That would make sense to me, because in that way ads would be directed to people who are not yet italki members...
But then again, I realize those of you who see ads (and post comments here) are already members!
I must say I'm glad, however, that at least I haven't seen any external ads (from other sites or promoting some unrelated service) on italki as of yet...! :)
Best regards!
P. S.: By the way, just yesterday I joined the "Intro to Spanish with Jorge" webinar on Facebook, which was the ad I did see. And, after all, though I'm a Spanish teacher myself (I was so curious about it), I found it great! :)
