It doesn't mean it's not a large absolute number though.
So, to be clear, this is the fringe.
Regarding CPC. People have to buy something is the VAST majority of the txt ad market. There is near ZERO brand awareness in that market. If an advertiser is buying txt ads on IRC and hoping for conversion, I would be really, really surprised that they re-buy. (aka - you are getting filled by a network)
Your example text tells me how you are really getting revenue. You are using context for affiliate deals. That actually might be viable.
Re: since 1999... cool, what sites were you involved with before?
Sure, that's a pretty risky position to be in IMHO. Now they either have to suddenly be insanely profitable, or get bought for a lot, or raise more money. You have to have balls of steel to play that game.
But the fact is, Mibbit has been around for a while, and it is STILL serving text ads from Google - no exclusion.
I think axod should work on selling display advertising directly.
"People clicking have to buy something in the end"
That's never been true. You have ads for brand awareness, signups, ad arbitrage, etc etc.
I believe the ads above GMail are pretty lucrative... also people on webchat are often trying to buy something.
And that's not including the massive areas of non-tech IRC communities."Anyways, please don't take this as harsh."
hehe it's ok, I've been making money off online advertising since 1999. I'm 90% sure I know what I'm doing ;)