"I wonder if the author writes this content for free or if they expect to be paid. " I would think that the fact they make the filter list available to use for

"I wonder if the author writes this content for free or if they expect to be paid. " I would think that the fact they make the filter list available to use for free in uBlock Origin answers this question. They may hope and expect you'll use the extension that (to judge from other comments) talks to Google Analytics. But they are clearly not expecting to be paid in the way the Wall Street Journal is. Not saying that invalidates your point that content producers deserve to be paid; just saying you can't prove it with hypocrisy.