How to Request Ad Removal from an Educational Network

Ning has been a great example of the how Web 2.0 applications can be free to use, supported by the Google ad network. There are several upgrade options, the primary one being the ability to run an ad-free network, or to host your own ads, for $24.95 a month. While this is a reasonable cost, many educators exploring the uses of social networking in education have a hard time jumping through the administrative hoops to get this approved, and face concerns about exposing students to advertising.

To help educators benefit from Ning's unique social networking environment, Ning has offered to remove the ads from educational networks which are geared toward students between the ages of 13 and 18 (grades 7 - 12).

To request that your Ning network be considered for this program, please follow the instructions below:

• Please sign in to the Ning Help Center first: http://help.ning.com/cgi-bin/ning.cfg/php/enduser/ning_login.php.
• Click the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the page.
• The "Ask Our Team a Question" form then appears.
• In the first field (“I have a question about”) select “a network that I have created.”
• A new field with a pull down menu will appear (“I specifically want to know”) and you should choose “General Question.”
• A window will appear where you need to choose a specific topic. Please choose “other” at the end of the list.
• In the "Network URL" field please give the network address of the educational network you are asking Ning to make ad-free.
• In the message portion of the ticket, please specifically write that you are requesting an ad-free network for education.
• Click the send button!
• If your network isn't ad-free within a few working days, please check the status of your help request at the same web address under "View Tickets."