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I always found it somewhat contradictory and hypocritical that the very people that live off ad-based websites (webbased entrepreneurs and founders) are so high

by mixmax 18y ago

I always found it somewhat contradictory and hypocritical that the very people that live off ad-based websites (webbased entrepreneurs and founders) are so highly correlated with the group of people that absolutely cannot live without adblocking software - thereby robbing the siteowners of their income model. Note: spydez - this isn't in any way meant as a personal attack, it just seemed like the right place to put my opinion on the matter.

deleted 18y ago
[deleted]
cypress-hill 18y ago
I always found it somewhat contradictory and hypocritical that the very people that live off ad-based websites (webbased entrepreneurs and founders) are so highly correlated with the group of people that absolutely cannot live without adblocking software what is the contradiction? we feed dog food to the mouth breathers, and save the caviar for ourselves want "fair"? play checkers if its any consolation, the precious little community of ad blockers is not even a rounding error in total web use
fiaz 18y ago
You have a point with this. I personally prefer to focus on content instead of having to ignore advertising that I will never click on unless I'm actually in a buying mode; when I'm NOT in a buying mode, there is no way in hell I'm clicking on that irritating HP flash eye-sore! If merely being exposed to an advertiser's message is the purpose of advertising on websites, then I would have to politely/respectfully say that I prefer not to be exposed to that which I am not choosing to have exposure. I'm overwhelmed as it is...ad-blocking really helps turn down the noise. To me the whole approach of blasting users with advertisement is flawed, unless of course I'm actually in the mode of purchasing something, in which case I will gladly jump to Chrome or Safari (on my Mac at home). I think having the freedom to turn the noise off/on as you see fit is part of a larger trend of the future where you have the option to do as you wish. Afterall, isn't freedom one of the core principles of the internet?
spydez 18y ago
No offense take. I'm not an entrepreneur. ;) But if I ever do come up with an awesome idea, I'm determined I'll create it and make money off of it without putting up adverts. I hate adverts with a burning passion and I'm not about to force them down my potential users throats.
- mixmax 18y ago
  I'll be the first to wish you good luck :-)
- drawkbox 18y ago
  Advertising is one of the only ways to monetize free visitor aspects and paths. Advertising is one of the last American innovative markets. As soon as you start trying to bring any type of content that that is free, I am sure you will change your ways. Blocking ads is like anti-bacterial soap. It makes your immunity to these things much lower if that is why you are so bothered by ads. Block ads on sites that you don't frequent, but ones that you do, throw some pennies in the hat.
  - william42 18y ago
    Agreed. Personally, I find advertising much less annoying than having to pay for things directly, especially online where it's still easy to phish. The only ads I block are the obnoxious Flash ones.
  - mattmaroon 18y ago
    There are lots of ways to monetize free sites. See Kayak or TicketStumbler. There's also the freemium service. The reality of ad blocking software (which is spreading quickly and won't stop until it's as ubiquitous as popup blocking is now) is that you'll have to find a better, more integrated business model at some point.
    - dhimes 18y ago
      My hunch is that ad blocking is a huge threat to Google. So if they can control the browser space... I still don't know why IE doesn't ship with ad blockers. Would it hurt them? Perhaps in the short run. But in the long run, it would do far more damage to G.
aconbere 18y ago
This really isn't fair. Since we also consist of the demographic least likely to actually click on ads. Since impressions bring in such small amounts of revenue compared to clicks we're really not shitting the scales very much. In the end advertisers have found it an effective strategy at reaching people /not/ in our demographic.
- mixmax 18y ago
  Being a small demographic that isn't the primary income for many sites doesn't justify taking away their income. While I agree that hackers often don't click ads some do - particularly if the ads are targeted to this demographic. In this respect it's noteworthy that sites such as Reddit and Slashdot derive their income from showing ads. And their primary audience is hackers.
cmars232 18y ago
I could care less if ad-based websites come or go. Communities will emerge regardless.
jordyhoyt 18y ago
Personally, I only ever block ads that I find offensive or obnoxious and I try not to block any from sites I want to "support".

by mixmax 18y ago

deleted 18y ago

[deleted]

cypress-hill 18y ago

I always found it somewhat contradictory and hypocritical that the very people that live off ad-based websites (webbased entrepreneurs and founders) are so highly correlated with the group of people that absolutely cannot live without adblocking software what is the contradiction? we feed dog food to the mouth breathers, and save the caviar for ourselves want "fair"? play checkers if its any consolation, the precious little community of ad blockers is not even a rounding error in total web use

fiaz 18y ago

You have a point with this. I personally prefer to focus on content instead of having to ignore advertising that I will never click on unless I'm actually in a buying mode; when I'm NOT in a buying mode, there is no way in hell I'm clicking on that irritating HP flash eye-sore! If merely being exposed to an advertiser's message is the purpose of advertising on websites, then I would have to politely/respectfully say that I prefer not to be exposed to that which I am not choosing to have exposure. I'm overwhelmed as it is...ad-blocking really helps turn down the noise. To me the whole approach of blasting users with advertisement is flawed, unless of course I'm actually in the mode of purchasing something, in which case I will gladly jump to Chrome or Safari (on my Mac at home). I think having the freedom to turn the noise off/on as you see fit is part of a larger trend of the future where you have the option to do as you wish. Afterall, isn't freedom one of the core principles of the internet?

spydez 18y ago

No offense take. I'm not an entrepreneur. ;) But if I ever do come up with an awesome idea, I'm determined I'll create it and make money off of it without putting up adverts. I hate adverts with a burning passion and I'm not about to force them down my potential users throats.

mixmax 18y ago
I'll be the first to wish you good luck :-)
drawkbox 18y ago
Advertising is one of the only ways to monetize free visitor aspects and paths. Advertising is one of the last American innovative markets. As soon as you start trying to bring any type of content that that is free, I am sure you will change your ways. Blocking ads is like anti-bacterial soap. It makes your immunity to these things much lower if that is why you are so bothered by ads. Block ads on sites that you don't frequent, but ones that you do, throw some pennies in the hat.
- william42 18y ago
  Agreed. Personally, I find advertising much less annoying than having to pay for things directly, especially online where it's still easy to phish. The only ads I block are the obnoxious Flash ones.
- mattmaroon 18y ago
  There are lots of ways to monetize free sites. See Kayak or TicketStumbler. There's also the freemium service. The reality of ad blocking software (which is spreading quickly and won't stop until it's as ubiquitous as popup blocking is now) is that you'll have to find a better, more integrated business model at some point.
  - dhimes 18y ago
    My hunch is that ad blocking is a huge threat to Google. So if they can control the browser space... I still don't know why IE doesn't ship with ad blockers. Would it hurt them? Perhaps in the short run. But in the long run, it would do far more damage to G.

aconbere 18y ago

This really isn't fair. Since we also consist of the demographic least likely to actually click on ads. Since impressions bring in such small amounts of revenue compared to clicks we're really not shitting the scales very much. In the end advertisers have found it an effective strategy at reaching people /not/ in our demographic.

mixmax 18y ago
Being a small demographic that isn't the primary income for many sites doesn't justify taking away their income. While I agree that hackers often don't click ads some do - particularly if the ads are targeted to this demographic. In this respect it's noteworthy that sites such as Reddit and Slashdot derive their income from showing ads. And their primary audience is hackers.

cmars232 18y ago

I could care less if ad-based websites come or go. Communities will emerge regardless.

jordyhoyt 18y ago

Personally, I only ever block ads that I find offensive or obnoxious and I try not to block any from sites I want to "support".