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> We've created a culture where we want everything for free, even going as far as to block ads with AdBlock... and then we complain when things don't go our way

> We've created a culture where we want everything for free, even going as far as to block ads with AdBlock... and then we complain when things don't go our way. I think you're overestimating the power of AdBlock. In fact, I know friends who aren't tech savvy to whom I've shown AdBlock, and when they get a new computer, they don't even remember to install AdBlock. We tend to be annoyed by web ads because we're tech savvy, but many average users couldn't care less that they're being bombarded by a constant stream of corporate propaganda. Because of this, while it might be exceedingly difficult to monetize a site geared towards tech savvy users (Reddit, for example), many other sites (like Facebook) get by just fine.

edanm 16y ago
I'm a techie who doesn't use AdBlock. And I've actually noticed something very different. I rarely look at ads on most sites, but on Tech-oriented sites, the ads tend to be much better. This is because they're more focused on my niche. For example, I've clicked on dozens of ads on Stack Overflow, and even subscribed to a few things that way. I honestly think turning on AdBlock is depriving me of valuable information, on those sites at least.
- Supermighty 16y ago
  This is an example of where advertising should go. Highly targeted ads tailored to specific individuals. If there is an ad for something I would genuinely want to learn about then by all means show it to me. The catch is that we have to reveal a lot of personal information before the ads can become highly targeted.
  - tnorthcutt 16y ago
    The catch is that we have to reveal a lot of personal information before the ads can become highly targeted. Not necessarily, unless that also includes revealing a lot of personal information by virtue of the site you're visiting. For example, a site focused on a specific sports team could fairly easily target their advertising to their typical user, and be showing ads that are actually relevant to their users.
    - fragmede 16y ago
      That's got to be part of Facebooks's long term business model. For RedSoxFansWhoAlsoWearRedSocks.com, targeted advertising is fairly easy, but for sites with a broader audience, like nytimes.com or salon.com where personal information is needed for targeted ads, Facebook already has this information and can sell a connector to you, the nytimes.com ad manager.
      - Supermighty 16y ago
        Even if I did visit RedSoxFansWhoAlsoWearRedSocks.com a lot maybe I already have enough red socks. Which has happened to me recently in this example. I have been researching a new laptop for the past three months. Finally I decided on getting a ThinkPad x201. Not once did I see any laptop ads on any sites I visited except the specific niche research sites. Now I see Lenovo ads everywhere. They're on slashdot, facebook, boy genius reports. These ads would have been useful to me before my purchase, not after. My point is that using the topic of the site alone isn't enough. Even on facebook, which probably has the most detail about me than any site, they still get the ads wrong. I rarely find them relevant to my life and needs.
      - edanm 16y ago
        By the way, besides being creepy, I'm not sure that Facebook's plan is so bad. Replacing annoyingly bad ads with better ads that know more about me is creepy, but at least the ads are better. The way I explain Facebook's plan to non-techies, btw: Imagine you have a friend called Jenna that has a birthday next week. Now, whenever you visit say, Amazon.com, they'll have ads saying "Jenna's birthday is next week, why not buy her this nice book?". Creepy, but that's where we're headed.
- Symmetry 16y ago
  While I also don't use AdBlock for the reasons you described and because I think I owe it to sites I enjoy, I always browse with Flashblock enabled. Still images I can interact with at my own pace - flashing or moving images are just too distracting.
  - evilduck 16y ago
    Can't wait for ads to start using canvas tags.

edanm 16y ago

I'm a techie who doesn't use AdBlock. And I've actually noticed something very different. I rarely look at ads on most sites, but on Tech-oriented sites, the ads tend to be much better. This is because they're more focused on my niche. For example, I've clicked on dozens of ads on Stack Overflow, and even subscribed to a few things that way. I honestly think turning on AdBlock is depriving me of valuable information, on those sites at least.

Supermighty 16y ago
This is an example of where advertising should go. Highly targeted ads tailored to specific individuals. If there is an ad for something I would genuinely want to learn about then by all means show it to me. The catch is that we have to reveal a lot of personal information before the ads can become highly targeted.
- tnorthcutt 16y ago
  The catch is that we have to reveal a lot of personal information before the ads can become highly targeted. Not necessarily, unless that also includes revealing a lot of personal information by virtue of the site you're visiting. For example, a site focused on a specific sports team could fairly easily target their advertising to their typical user, and be showing ads that are actually relevant to their users.
  - fragmede 16y ago
    That's got to be part of Facebooks's long term business model. For RedSoxFansWhoAlsoWearRedSocks.com, targeted advertising is fairly easy, but for sites with a broader audience, like nytimes.com or salon.com where personal information is needed for targeted ads, Facebook already has this information and can sell a connector to you, the nytimes.com ad manager.
    - Supermighty 16y ago
      Even if I did visit RedSoxFansWhoAlsoWearRedSocks.com a lot maybe I already have enough red socks. Which has happened to me recently in this example. I have been researching a new laptop for the past three months. Finally I decided on getting a ThinkPad x201. Not once did I see any laptop ads on any sites I visited except the specific niche research sites. Now I see Lenovo ads everywhere. They're on slashdot, facebook, boy genius reports. These ads would have been useful to me before my purchase, not after. My point is that using the topic of the site alone isn't enough. Even on facebook, which probably has the most detail about me than any site, they still get the ads wrong. I rarely find them relevant to my life and needs.
    - edanm 16y ago
      By the way, besides being creepy, I'm not sure that Facebook's plan is so bad. Replacing annoyingly bad ads with better ads that know more about me is creepy, but at least the ads are better. The way I explain Facebook's plan to non-techies, btw: Imagine you have a friend called Jenna that has a birthday next week. Now, whenever you visit say, Amazon.com, they'll have ads saying "Jenna's birthday is next week, why not buy her this nice book?". Creepy, but that's where we're headed.
Symmetry 16y ago
While I also don't use AdBlock for the reasons you described and because I think I owe it to sites I enjoy, I always browse with Flashblock enabled. Still images I can interact with at my own pace - flashing or moving images are just too distracting.
- evilduck 16y ago
  Can't wait for ads to start using canvas tags.