>They are just like commercials on TV or billboards. You don't even realize the effect they have on you. I do. Which is why I haven't watched television/movies

>They are just like commercials on TV or billboards. You don't even realize the effect they have on you. I do. Which is why I haven't watched television/movies since I was 10 years old. Luckily I only see billboards when I'm on a freeway, which happens maybe once or twice a year at most. I also keep an excel sheet where I blacklist companies whom I've seen advertisements from. So advertising to me has a net loss of -1 customer for life. But I'll agree that most people don't realize how much advertisements influence their behavior. I find it disgusting and not something that should be accepted at all in any amount - but most people don't seem to mind it. (Ignoring privacy issues with online advertisements. I'm speaking more general here.) >But I think it would also be fine if the content providers refused me service if I didn't let the ads through. Oh, I agree. Of course - the provider will likely go out of business because that isn't a sustainable business model either - but I do agree. It also hurts their Google Ranking which is why Paywall sites let you read the article if you find it through Google. Advertising is a broken business model. Once-upon-a-time it worked but it is breaking down. It's not the customer's job to keep watching advertisements. It's the providers job to find a better business model. Or go out of business.