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Why Ad Blocking is devastating to the sites you love

@ 2010/03/08

Starting late Friday afternoon we conducted a 12 hour experiment to see if it would be possible to simply make content disappear for visitors who were using a very popular ad blocking tool. Technologically, it was a success in that it worked. Ad blockers, and only ad blockers, couldn't see our content. We tested just one way of doing this, but have devised a way to keep it rotating were we to want to permanently implement it. But we don't. Socially, the experiment was a mixed bag. A bunch of people whitelisted Ars, and even a few subscribed. And while others showed up to support our actions, there was a healthy mob of people criticizing us for daring to take any kind of action against those who would deny us revenue even though they knew they were doing so. Others rightly criticized the lack of a warning or notification as to what was going on.

Comment from Kougar @ 2010/03/13

Quote:

Originally Posted by wutske

but there are limits and once you break it we won't bother anymore.

I'm sometimes surprised by the amount of online ads when I'm using someone else's computer...

Just depends where you surf. The better quality sites almost never have distracting or annoying ads, or popups.

Comment from wutske @ 2010/03/10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number 13

POPups I hate, regular ads are ok, everyone needs revenue

but there are limits and once you break it we won't bother anymore.

I'm sometimes surprised by the amount of online ads when I'm using someone else's computer...

Comment from Number 13 @ 2010/03/10

POPups I hate, regular ads are ok, everyone needs revenue

Comment from wutske @ 2010/03/09

People started blocking ads because some sites had too many (annoying) ads. Sites were too gready when it came to ad-revenues, it's their own fault, you can't blame use if they screw up their site.
Too bad that the smaller sites who realy need the extra income (and don't overdo the ads) also suffer from this.

I too block ads using a hosts file, not only because of the annoying ads, but also because it prevents ad companies from following and profiling me (I hate personalised ads, that's why I also opt-out from those where possible).

Comment from thorgal @ 2010/03/08

I really detest adds. I block all adds I possible can. Any site that prohibits me from doing this will not be visited. Simple.

Comment from TaN00Ki @ 2010/03/08

Don't we have enough commercials on TV and everywhere else?

Sheesh... all about the might buck huh

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