Targeted ads for phpAdsNew

[unixman]

Giving back some more ...

We have 30+ forums, all dedicated to different topics. I wanted to be able to sell targeted banner ads for each of those categories. phpAdsNew is great for serving ads, but I needed to make some quick changes to VB in order to facilitate targeting.

Its easy to just plop in a generic call to phpAdsNew in the "header" template - works easy enough - however, you have no control and no ability to dynamically target those ads to a given forum. Now you can. (If there is another way, someone please tell me).

This is a simple hack, which involves a quick change to "global.php".

In global.php, find:



Code:
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Code is only visible to licensed users, and only when logged into the forums.
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Below that, add:



Code:
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Code is only visible to licensed users, and only when logged into the forums.
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Let me give you an example. Let's say you have 2 forums:


Outdoor Hiking
Wild and Crazy Sex


Strange combination, I know - but bear with me. This hack will create a special variable called "$forum_ad_keywords", which will look like this (using the 2 examples above):


Outdoor,Hiking
Wild,Crazy,Sex


To use these in a template (i.e. header) to grab a target ad, you might try something like:



Code:
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Code is only visible to licensed users, and only when logged into the forums.
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Note: the VBRandomX numbers are another hack. Just put this line in global.php to get some random #'s for the ad call:



Code:
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Code is only visible to licensed users, and only when logged into the forums.
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Easy enough. Not a real great randomizer, but it works for my needs. You want it to do more, have at it.

At any rate, the ad code above would expand to something like:



Code:
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Code is only visible to licensed users, and only when logged into the forums.
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Now all you need to do is use those keywords when creating accounts within phpAdsNew.

Voila - instant targeted ads.

A robust, scalable targeted ad/sponsorship system should really be a part of the next release - IMHO.

Cheers.

[Pingu]

I already have ads targeting forums (by their names).

But the problem is just there: those names can get pretty long, and all keywords together for one single banner can make a pretty long line.

So my next step is to add an extra field, with something like forum_short_name
I've tried the forumnumber, but it doesn't work (because the number is a number and not text or something?! I don't know PHP/MySQL well enough)

But a hack like this one is very good :)

[eva2000]

wow this looks fantastic, i'm using phpadsnew as well on my vB http://animeboards.com

but it does lack targetted ads... gonna try this out

[JonnyQuest]

Is there anyway you can make this so it pulls the actual title tag of the page? I'm using it to make a keyword search in my store.
Thanks!

[Byron]

this is a useful hack. thanks

[Byron]

this is a useful hack. thanks

[Lionel]

thanks

[mvigod]

what is the "n=" mean and why bother with the VbRandomX thing you have in this? Is the random thing just for cache busting or does it serve any other purpose?

[mvigod]

I changed just a little...

// figure out the chosen style settings
// BSB - HACK - Need to populate foruminfo for targeted ads
//if(isset($forumid)) {
// $getforuminfo=$DB_site->query_first("SELECT title FROM forum WHERE forumid='$forumid'");
// $forum_ad_keywords=strtolower($getforuminfo[title]);

// Replace generic words
// $forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" and ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
// $forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" the ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
// $forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" with ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
// $forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" or ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
// $forum_ad_keywords = str_replace("/", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
// $forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" & ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
// $forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" for ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);

// Replace spaces with commas (for phpAdsNew OR keywords)
// $forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" ", ",", $forum_ad_keywords);
//} else {
// $forum_ad_keywords = 'home';
// }

// END HACK

[X-Fan]

Just wondering how difficult would it be to incorporate phpAdsNew on a board that runs the vbPortal front end (as it has its own banner rotation system)?

[mvigod]

I don't think it would be very hard...check out www.ezonemag.com as I think they do it.

as far as targeting to forums I would imagine it's much of the same procedure although I don't have vbportal so not 100% sure.

[rinkrat]

Where can I get VBRandomX?

I need some random numbers!

[SAWolf76]

can someone please update this hack? I would like to install it but its kind of confusing and old....

[Dejan]

Thanks ...

But how to show ads taken from parent forum inside thread pages?

[PurpleCow]

Hello,

If anyone is using this hack, kindly reply.

I seriously want this hack in working condition for my new vB ver2.3.0.

Any changes in the code..??

Thanks for your help

[cnczone]

Any new info on this subject?

[PurpleCow]

I am also interested in this...!!

Does it work with 2.3.0 ??

Thanks much

[trafix]

I have just removed phpadsnew from my server.... its to confusing and takes ages to add a new banner, whatever...

click on >>--ARROW ADS--> in my sig.

hope this helps :)

[cnczone]

I got it to work find but I what to use the hack in this thread, to target forums. here is my site using phpadsnew http://cnczone.com

[PurpleCow]

Today at 10:09 AM trafix said this in Post #18 (http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?postid=380899#post380899)
I have just removed phpadsnew from my server.... its to confusing and takes ages to add a new banner, whatever...

click on >>--ARROW ADS--> in my sig.

hope this helps :)


I don't deny the power of ur hack trafix...but the beauty of phpadsnew is the kind of features and most importantly, it can be used to serve ads for a network of sites rather than just one site.

Thanks if you can help us with integrating phpadsnew !

Thanks again

[Dejan]

It works fine in vB 2.30. I am using this code:



// figure out the chosen style settings
// BSB - HACK - Need to populate foruminfo for targeted ads
if(isset($forumid)) {
$getforuminfo=$DB_site->query_first("SELECT title FROM forum WHERE forumid='$forumid'");
$forum_ad_keywords=strtolower($getforuminfo[title]);

// Replace generic words
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" and ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" the ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" with ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" or ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace("/", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" & ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" for ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);

// Replace spaces with commas (for phpAdsNew OR keywords)
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" ", ",", $forum_ad_keywords);
} else {
$forum_ad_keywords = 'home';
}



// Parent forum inside thread pages
if(isset($threadid)) {
$getforuminfo=$DB_site->query_first("SELECT forum.title FROM forum,thread WHERE threadid='$threadid' AND forum.forumid=thread.forumid");

$forum_ad_keywords=strtolower($getforuminfo[title]);

// Replace generic words
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" and ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" the ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" with ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" or ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace("/", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" & ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" for ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" i ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);

// Replace spaces with commas (for phpAdsNew OR keywords)
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" ", ",", $forum_ad_keywords);
}

// END HACK

[cnczone]

Where do I install it?

[Dejan]

It is the same hack, only add on is for putting keywords of parent forum inside thread pages.

In global.php, find:
// figure out the chosen style settings

Below that, add:
// BSB - HACK - Need to populate foruminfo for targeted ads
if(isset($forumid)) {
$getforuminfo=$DB_site->query_first("SELECT title FROM forum WHERE forumid='$forumid'");
$forum_ad_keywords=strtolower($getforuminfo[title]);

// Replace generic words
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" and ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" the ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" with ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" or ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace("/", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" & ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" for ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);

// Replace spaces with commas (for phpAdsNew OR keywords)
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" ", ",", $forum_ad_keywords);
} else {
$forum_ad_keywords = 'home';
}



// Parent forum inside thread pages
if(isset($threadid)) {
$getforuminfo=$DB_site->query_first("SELECT forum.title FROM forum,thread WHERE threadid='$threadid' AND forum.forumid=thread.forumid");

$forum_ad_keywords=strtolower($getforuminfo[title]);

// Replace generic words
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" and ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" the ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" with ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" or ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace("/", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" & ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" for ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" i ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);

// Replace spaces with commas (for phpAdsNew OR keywords)
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" ", ",", $forum_ad_keywords);
}

// END HACK

I am using old version of phpAdsNew and Remote Invocation with JavaScript. For that, in header template put:


<script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.your.path.to.phpadsnew/adjs.php?what=$forum_ad_keywords,+468x60&target=_blank">
</script>


Change 468x60 for the banner size you are using.

[cnczone]

Thanks for your help, now once I put the code in how do I call a banner to a fourm, do I use the forum name?

[Dejan]

Yes, just use forum name as keyword.

[cnczone]

but the banner has to be the right size right? I can just use any banners of different sizes correct?

[Dejan]

PhpAdsNew is powerful application, you can us any banner and any size of banner. Look in phpAdsNew user-guide for banner invocation code statements and adapt it for your needs.

[Imprezer]

Ok, so I copy pasted the code from Dejan's post below the "// figure out the chosen style settings".

Then I added key words for banners replacing space in forum name with a ,.

It doesnt work.

I got banners all over the site. It doesnt seem to be looking at the keywords.

What am I doing wrong?

[Imprezer]

Nevermind.

I figured it out.

Works like a charm.

[Imprezer]

Hmm, it works, but I need help.

I have 2 forums.

FOR SALE BY VENDORS
FOR SALE BY MEMBERS

How can I type in the keywords, so that when I type: for,sale,by,vendors since there is "by" in the forum title #2, the banner would only show up in the the vendor forum and not the member one.

Thanks!

[Dejan]

try to not use "by" as keyword
or
try to add "by" in //Replace generic words


Code for your global.php is:


// BSB - HACK - Need to populate foruminfo for targeted ads
if(isset($forumid)) {
$getforuminfo=$DB_site->query_first("SELECT title FROM forum WHERE forumid='$forumid'");
$forum_ad_keywords=strtolower($getforuminfo[title]);

// Replace generic words
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" and ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" the ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" with ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" or ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace("/", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" & ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" for ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" by", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);

// Replace spaces with commas (for phpAdsNew OR keywords)
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" ", ",", $forum_ad_keywords);
} else {
$forum_ad_keywords = 'home';
}



// Parent forum inside thread pages
if(isset($threadid)) {
$getforuminfo=$DB_site->query_first("SELECT forum.title FROM forum,thread WHERE threadid='$threadid' AND forum.forumid=thread.forumid");

$forum_ad_keywords=strtolower($getforuminfo[title]);

// Replace generic words
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" and ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" the ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" with ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" or ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace("/", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" & ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" for ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" i ", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" by", " ", $forum_ad_keywords);

// Replace spaces with commas (for phpAdsNew OR keywords)
$forum_ad_keywords = str_replace(" ", ",", $forum_ad_keywords);
}

// END HACK

[cleck673]

Is anyone still using this. I can not get it working.

[Beowulf33]

I have this hack working fine on 2.3.0

[Beowulf33]

I now have this working fine on 3.0 beta 5 as well

[Tuan Le]

I got this added to the phpinclude_start



Code:
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Code is only visible to licensed users, and only when logged into the forums.
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But not sure where I need to put the local invocation code generated by phpadsnew. Do you know where I need to put them? I would greatly appreciated if you can point me to the right direction. :confused: Thanks.



Code:
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Code is only visible to licensed users, and only when logged into the forums.
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[Imprezer]

So far it is working great.

Is there any way to plug a banner on the main forum page? Forum Home I mean.

Thanks!

- Alex

[AmericanWoman]

I haven't been able to get the size parameters working properly...if I try to specify a size, the banner disappears altogether. :(

Here is the invocation code I'm testing (remote javascript method):



Code:
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Code is only visible to licensed users, and only when logged into the forums.
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According to the manual, I replaced the "," delimiters with a "/" and appended the "@" symbol to the end of the string to create a parameter for the entire expression - but it's not working at all. :( I've checked the output of the code to be sure it's picking up the keywords variable, and it is...

Any ideas?