What makes you think that? They have a big site, without any advertising banners...doesn't sound like a very commercially attractive deal to me.
[edit]
Oops, my bad, they do have some banners, my ad blocking tools turned out to be far more effective than I thought they would be.
Even if they serve those banners, I really can't imagine they are making "big money".
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There is earning potential for certain: do they use it?
For a group that list openness and freedom amongst their ideals [sic] I dont see any openness about the revenue TPB generates. They release no figures or data.
Personally I consider that a double standard (and I have to confess I do believe they make a profit: perhaps not a huge amount but... logically they could make quite a bit and I dont see a decent argument for why they wouldnt)
The biggest reason they wouldn't is who they're advertising to. Google makes a lot of money because people who search there might often be looking for a place to buy something that pops up in the paid results. People who search piratebay aren't often looking to buy anything, and advertisers know that.
What makes you think that? They have a big site, without any advertising banners...doesn't sound like a very commercially attractive deal to me.
[edit] Oops, my bad, they do have some banners, my ad blocking tools turned out to be far more effective than I thought they would be. Even if they serve those banners, I really can't imagine they are making "big money". [/edit]