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An Internet where browsers suppressed ads by default would be a much better Internet. Yes, sites wouldn't be able to make money from ads. A subset of those site

An Internet where browsers suppressed ads by default would be a much better Internet. Yes, sites wouldn't be able to make money from ads. A subset of those sites would not be around; another subset would make use of patronage, subscriptions, selling something of value, "the person who runs this site has other sources of income", or some other model. And some additional sites would be around to fill the gaps. ("paywall circumvention" is a broad topic. I wouldn't want a browser, for instance, integrating "go get the mirrored content from another site" or "mirror paywalled content to other users", but things like "suppress specific popovers that also block scrolling", sure. If you don't want a user to have the content, don't serve it to them and then hide it.)

jefftk 4y ago
> I wouldn't want a browser, for instance, integrating "go get the mirrored content from another site" or "mirror paywalled content to other users" Why not? It sounds like if you accept the role of the browser as "do what is best for this specific user despite the broader consequences" they're worth doing?
- JoshTriplett 4y ago
  The unfortunate existence of copyright; browsers shouldn't get their users prosecuted. If copyright wasn't a factor, yes, browsers could absolutely support and contribute to mirror networks.
Thorrez 4y ago
Browsers suppressing ads by default leads to the question of what counts as an ad. Borderline cases: sponsored portions of YouTube videos (a la SponsorBlock), videos containing entirely sponsored content, movie trailers, game/software demos, freemium games, free credits for cloud services, product placement, soliciting Patreon subscriptions, sections calling out or listing names of Patreon subscribers, publicly thanking large donors (charities do this), things with ads in the name (e.g. sports arenas and events), things named after donors (e.g. college buildings), soliciting subscriptions to their own subscription service (e.g. Linus Tech Tips YouTube videos promoting Floatplane), soliciting subscriptions to a partnered subscription service (e.g. many youtubers promoting Nebula).
- jefftk 4y ago
  Brave's answer, at least so far, seems to be that none of these borderline cases are ads.

jefftk 4y ago

> I wouldn't want a browser, for instance, integrating "go get the mirrored content from another site" or "mirror paywalled content to other users" Why not? It sounds like if you accept the role of the browser as "do what is best for this specific user despite the broader consequences" they're worth doing?

JoshTriplett 4y ago
The unfortunate existence of copyright; browsers shouldn't get their users prosecuted. If copyright wasn't a factor, yes, browsers could absolutely support and contribute to mirror networks.

Thorrez 4y ago

Browsers suppressing ads by default leads to the question of what counts as an ad. Borderline cases: sponsored portions of YouTube videos (a la SponsorBlock), videos containing entirely sponsored content, movie trailers, game/software demos, freemium games, free credits for cloud services, product placement, soliciting Patreon subscriptions, sections calling out or listing names of Patreon subscribers, publicly thanking large donors (charities do this), things with ads in the name (e.g. sports arenas and events), things named after donors (e.g. college buildings), soliciting subscriptions to their own subscription service (e.g. Linus Tech Tips YouTube videos promoting Floatplane), soliciting subscriptions to a partnered subscription service (e.g. many youtubers promoting Nebula).

jefftk 4y ago
Brave's answer, at least so far, seems to be that none of these borderline cases are ads.