Would you consider selling ad space on README file of your open source git repo?
Suppose you have a reasonably significant open source project on Github. Would you consider selling some ad space (small amount of text or small image) on README file of git repository to get some funding for the needs of the project? If so, what amount and under what terms?
I know that there was some failed attempt(s) at creating a marketplace for such kind of deal, but would an equivalent of Instagram influencer marketing have potential on Github (assuming product or service being promoted is of interest to software developers)?
I remember there was one company that attempted an ads platform in GitHub repos and it was fairly successful but I thought GitHub shut them down because it’s against TOS. If so I’d look into that to make sure you don’t do the same!
Lots of successful ones already do this in the form of corporate sponsorship.
No, I don't want to see READMEs on GitHub become ads.
That said, a good thing would be to let a company to sponsor the development and list it as sponsor/featured user. Promoting yourself as an author is also completely fine.
I left a link to my book in the "Support" section of my open source project's README on GitHub with the following text:
Trying to put myself in the shoes of an open source maintainer, I'd probably say yes. Most open source projects I've seen have sponsors which pay to support the project while also getting their logo on the README/website/etc. I think this is relatively similar but the primary motivation is different.
My guess is that sponsors pay more than someone buying ad space would because they have other reasons for supporting the project like if they use it in their company. Interesting idea!
Back when I was an open source maintainer, I would have said no. My primary motivation wasn't money or I wouldn't have been an open source maintainer. ;)
That said, during that time I saw lots of people who tried to make a living off of open source and those might say yes.