Same here. See it everywhere, Chrome on a PC, Edge on a PC, Safari on iPad, On the Iphone, I am seeing a very large ad after the first post but not the same widget on the iPad and PCs. I am running IOS10 on my iPad and Iphone. As others said, if anything, I will now go out of my way never to hire a contractor from Houzz!

This widget, both the inline and the one on the side take up so much visual space that you can barely read any of the posts on any device. Also, expanding your screen does not make a difference because the Ads on the side don't resize and obscure text! Also, green text for hyperlinks is the worse invention. Many people are Red and Green color blind! Blue is the ADA standard for hyperlinks.

I guess I should stop complaining since this forum is technically free.

That's interesting. I see it but I barely register it. The color isn't jarring and it doesn't have flash content. I'm usually annoyed by web page extras but this one is pretty innocuous.

Edited to add - writersblock, what do you think of the Ghostery update?

Since some of us don't see it, I'm wondering if there is a setting difference that is making it hidden.

ETA: Just read some of the responses above. I don't know what it is, except that on my computer, I see it in Chrome and Firefox, but not in Safari.

Writersblock, what would I have on my Mac/Safari settings that prevents me from seeing it, but you still do? I'm going through my Safari settings and can't pinpoint anything.

It very well could be something they are testing.. an A/B Marketing test where some visitors see it, some do not. They'll track metrics on how many click through. It isn't likely to be a setting and it seems like it isn't browser specific (if I read the posts closely enough).

Now I'm seeing it, even in Safari.

I'm certainly not going to click through any of them. Not the most annoying thing about this site, but certainly another annoyance. So much so that last night I was pondering where/how to collect images for an upcoming project, and an Ideabook here crossed my mind. I don't think I'll consider this option anymore. And, as others have said above, if I were going to need a professional in my area, I wouldn't look here.

It very well could be something they are testing.. an A/B Marketing test where some visitors see it, some do not. They'll track metrics on how many click through.

Yes, I agree this is the most likely reason that everyone doesn't see it. It could also be a server sync thing, where the new page format hasn't propagated to all servers yet.

It's shockingly poor page design, in any case.

"Makes me think there are no comments."

Exactly! That's what cued me to start this discussion. I saw someone's new thread and almost didn't scroll down until I noticed it said there were several comments.

I don't see it using Chrome on a PC (with AdBlocker even though that doesn't seem to matter) or on my Windows phone or my iPad. It must be some kind of marketing test.

I don't see it on my MacBook using Chrome and AdBlocker. I hope it stays that way because yes, it looks like it would be very annoying!

It's something Houzz added, not an advertising banner that could be blocked with AdBlocker (or similar software).

The placement is highly irritating.

Seventy miles away is not near me.

Haven't seen it. On the desktop I'm using FF and AdBlock Plus. Using Chrome on my Galaxy S7. Haven't seen it on either device.

Monica, did you hear the warnings about the Galazy S7?. I'm an apple user so not familiar with the Samsung phones but there are news reports all over about how dangerous the battery is. There is a recall.

I got a helpful list of 7,251 contractors near me :)

I'm not even going to click onto the header. I don't want spam e-mails, or stuff showing up on my Facebook page or more stuff cluttering up my GW pages.

Yes, on my iPad.

I imagine this may be a new 'service' Houzz is offering -- for businesses? Seems like it could be win-win if it works. There seem to be many local businesses on it in my area.

Yes, I've heard all about the exploding Samsung NOTE 7s. The Galaxy S7s are not exploding :) I have the Galaxy S7, not the Note 7. Thanks for your concern tho :)

I'm guessing the contractors are paying Houzz to be in there, and I'd rather have to scroll down four inches to the comments than have to pay a subscription fee to use GW.

For those of us who frequent the Houzz forums, it may seem like Houzz is providing us a service by "allowing" us to use the forum, but the contributors are providing a free service to Houzz. The forum draws a lot of attention to the Houzz site. Without the frequent contributors, there would be no one to answer the questions quickly when they are posted and that's the best thing about this forum ... quick replies. It seems rather counterproductive to annoy your contributors. Sure, there are sponsored pros who contribute as well, but when I have a question, I want homeowner's and DIYer's experienced input as well.

What's the point of having that header where it is? It distracts from the answers and actually makes it look like there aren't any. Stupid.

tibbrix, Houzz is a data amalgamator. They make their real money by monitoring our internet usage (including off this site) and collecting and selling that data, same as facebook and pinterest. Money from a listing like those is just gravy.

I've been in the iPad for the last several days, and no irritating header. Today I'm on the desktop, and there it is. Irritating is right.

Same as bpathome. I don't see it on my ipad with Safari. I do see it on my laptop with Firefox. Incredibly annoying. I wonder how any people find a local contractor through Houzz? Not many, I would guess.

I DO NOT see the header:

Desktop running Firefox with AddBlock Plus.

Perhaps because I don't venture to the Houzz side~thus I've never click or bookmarked or put into my idea book any sponsored links .

It may be that it is solely history and not the program(s) you are running.

Well, I just blew that theory.. Went to Internet Explorer and the header IS there..

I'll stick with desktop ...firefox...AdBlock Plus :)

Interesting, 4boys. I now see it on my iPad, too. I also have Firefox with Ad Block , although I don't think it is Plus. I see the header no matter what. I have clicked over to the Houzz side to retrieve messages.

LOL! I didn't see it until I went back and looked! I have just been skimming past. Their ad isn't working on me. I'm on an IPad now, I will check on the desk top later.

Disabled AdBlock ~ still NO header.. I must be running something else as well....looking...

Kaspersky Total Security is the only other thing I should mention I use.

And Win10.

I'm afraid if I look too hard to find the header I might end-up stuck with it :(

By the way I get NO side banners .

As stated above, it's not an ad, so AdBlock is not applicable in this case. I have AdBlock Plus myself. Seems more like a directory than anything else.

The ads on the side don't bother me at all. In fact, I often find myself staring at the pictures while I compose a thought and sometimes even click on them if I see something I like. But I deliberately DON'T click things that annoy me or are designed to annoy me, just on principle.

What ads on the side??

Reviving this to note that the grid-in-a-box has been replaced by a scrolling strip - it bothers my eyes.

Anybody else?

carol, yes. I really don't mind hopping over a static row or two. But it's the jerky movement now that's so damn irritating.

I don't have it but please don't tell Houzz.

I'm using Safari on my Macbook with Adblock Plus

maire_cate, same for me when I use Safari on my Macbook. Nevertheless, the bar is not the end of the world and I'll keep using Chrome and dealing with it.

I have Adblock Plus as well. I am using Chrome browser on my iMac & Chrome on my Android phone shows it as well.

I still believe this may be a test marketing thing - or perhaps certain areas/browsers are exempt for various reasons?

Now that it's in motion I really want to block it but I can't find which one it is in the Blockable Items in Firefox.

The initial header was alightly annoying, bt now that it MOVES???? Dreadful, and perhaps everyone should sign off, all at once, in protest!

Thinking that contacting the site to complain would likely be more effective.

ETA: this was on another thread discussing the problem. If you have AdBlock Plus, you can eliminate the scrolling stuff. Worked for me...

"Debby_ab

OH! OH! OH! With I just got rid of it. :) I right clicked over the "carousel" and AdBlock asked me if I want to block it. I do. It did. Now I only see 3 dots. :)"

Carolb, yes, I do have the header that is jumping around. I am going to try your solution with AdBlock and see if it will work. The header is at least minimized in size, but that jerky movement! Ugh!

Oh good Lord, it's gone. Carolb and Debby_ab, it worked. All that remains is an empty narrow white bar, negligible.

I did have to click on my ABP icon in the upper right, and then click on Block Element. Then, I right clicked over the abominable jerky thing, and POOF!!!

I do not have "block element"

Sweet! I had to add the element blocker to Adblock Plus, then it worked!

BAM!

Thanks for the tip on adding the element blocker. I couldn't get it to work previously. Still have it on my work computer and I can't control that.

Woohoo, thanks so much! I added the Element Hider to Adblock Plus and made that annoyance vanish.

I just thought I would update this for those who think you're depriving Houzz of income by blocking that directory. The new terms of service say that anyone with a pro listing may get included in the directory whether they want to be there or not, so it's not something anyone is paying for specifically. No additional revenue stream for Houzz, so block away with a clear conscience.