Wikipedia To Remain Ad Free

By Steve Rubel
Expert Author
Article Date: 2006-01-03

Contrary to earlier reports, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales is now saying there will be no ads in Wikipedia.

However, as a PR pro, it seems to me like Wales is waffling (just my opinion). In the ClickZ article he says he was misquoted in the Times of London piece but then he goes soft.

This quote is the key:

"The question is going to arise as to whether we could better pursue our charitable mission with the additional money [ads would bring]," he said. "We have never said there would absolutely never be ads on Wikipedia."

Sounds like he doesn't want to plant firmly roots on either side of town. And why do you think told his story to Click Z? Exactly, to spin to the ad community, ClickZ's readership.

(Note - the last graph of this post has been updated based on some of the comments)

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About the Author:
Steve Rubel is a PR strategist with nearly 16 years of public relations, marketing, journalism and communications experience. He currently serves as a Senior Vice President with Edelman, the largest independent global PR firm.

He authors the Micro Persuasion weblog, which tracks how blogs and participatory journalism are changing the public relations practice.

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