They were not unusual. In the 90s and early 00s, websites were littered with banner ads, popups, and toolbar downloads. They may have been unusual in the very e

They were not unusual. In the 90s and early 00s, websites were littered with banner ads, popups, and toolbar downloads. They may have been unusual in the very earliest days of the web, but it didn't take long for sites to monetize with ads (was normal by late 90s).