SECTION 4: EVALUATING WEB SITES

ADVERTISING? OR CONTENT?

Sometimes, a Web site has so many ads, commercials, or pop-up windows that it is difficult to tell when the advertising ends and when the site begins. Web users often get frustrated digging through these ads to find the CONTENT of the site.

This issue is another reason why Web users should be careful of company or commercial Web sites -- (called "dot-coms" because company/commercial Web site URLs end in a .com). Most respectable professional organizations and government agencies do not accept advertising, so the blurred distinction between ads and content is avoided completely.

When you find a Web site, look it over and decide if you can answer these questions:

• Is the advertising provided by same organization that provides the informational content?
• Does the advertising bias the informational content?
• Is informational content mixed with entertainment or advertising?

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