5 ms·

That doesn't sound trivial to me. Many would just use a client/extension that doesn't render said obvious ads. On the other hand, that is the status quo of the

by xnxn 14y ago

That doesn't sound trivial to me. Many would just use a client/extension that doesn't render said obvious ads. On the other hand, that is the status quo of the web (cf. AdBlock) and it mostly works.

Retric 14y ago
I suspect if they made it a terms of service violation to block adds they could fairly effectively police smartphone apps. If nothing else it would be interesting to see them try. I am also of the opinion that a vary cheap add blocking option say 1$/month would prevent most people from jumping though many hoops for add-block software.
- BlackJack 14y ago
  I agree with what you're saying, but you really don't have to "jump through hoops" to get ad-block software. It takes about 30 seconds to install an ad-blocking extension. I think the better argument is that most people don't know/care for ad-blocking software. I think AdBlock and its alternatives are prevalent in the tech community, but we're just a small part of total users.
  - phillmv 14y ago
    >It takes about 30 seconds to install an ad-blocking extension. I'd be willing wager that those 30 seconds of barrier would deter like 70-80% of the computer using population. Very few people as a whole know or are comfortable with browser extensions.
    - hnriot 14y ago
      It must otherwise google wouldn't be the giant it is.
    - seanp2k2 14y ago
      Is it wrong that I blame IE for a lot of this? I feel like IE was a major factor in ramming the "DON'T INSTALL TOOLBARS / ACTIVEX ADD-ONS NOT NO WAY NOT NO HOW" knowledge down consumers' throats (and that still remains good advice).
      - theorique 14y ago
        A lot of the early, nasty spyware / adware / crapware toolbars are to blame also. I recall Bonzi Buddy by name, but I know there were lots of others ... redirects for ecommerce affiliate fees and other obnoxious rent seeking.
    - mst 14y ago
      If it was only a dollar or two per month and not a -complete- pain in the ass to sign up for, I'd probably pay anyway. I wonder if you could encourage the people who hate ads but would happily take a legitimate option by detecting ad blockers and instead of haranguing them for it, put up a polite advert for how to legitimise their ad free usage? (thinking in general, not just for twitter)
      - PebblesRox 14y ago
        That's a good idea. Just the other day I turned off Ad-Block on the Let's Play Archive (http://lparchive.org/Dwarf-Fortress-Boatmurdered/ http://lparchive.org/Dwarf-Fortress-Boatmurdered/) because they had a little banner message that asked me nicely if I would consider it.
- igravious 14y ago
  Most people aren't even aware that they could be experiencing the web ad-free. It just never even occurs to them that should a thing could be possible.

by xnxn 14y ago

That doesn't sound trivial to me. Many would just use a client/extension that doesn't render said obvious ads. On the other hand, that is the status quo of the web (cf. AdBlock) and it mostly works.

Retric 14y ago

I suspect if they made it a terms of service violation to block adds they could fairly effectively police smartphone apps. If nothing else it would be interesting to see them try. I am also of the opinion that a vary cheap add blocking option say 1$/month would prevent most people from jumping though many hoops for add-block software.

BlackJack 14y ago
I agree with what you're saying, but you really don't have to "jump through hoops" to get ad-block software. It takes about 30 seconds to install an ad-blocking extension. I think the better argument is that most people don't know/care for ad-blocking software. I think AdBlock and its alternatives are prevalent in the tech community, but we're just a small part of total users.
- phillmv 14y ago
  >It takes about 30 seconds to install an ad-blocking extension. I'd be willing wager that those 30 seconds of barrier would deter like 70-80% of the computer using population. Very few people as a whole know or are comfortable with browser extensions.
  - hnriot 14y ago
    It must otherwise google wouldn't be the giant it is.
  - seanp2k2 14y ago
    Is it wrong that I blame IE for a lot of this? I feel like IE was a major factor in ramming the "DON'T INSTALL TOOLBARS / ACTIVEX ADD-ONS NOT NO WAY NOT NO HOW" knowledge down consumers' throats (and that still remains good advice).
    - theorique 14y ago
      A lot of the early, nasty spyware / adware / crapware toolbars are to blame also. I recall Bonzi Buddy by name, but I know there were lots of others ... redirects for ecommerce affiliate fees and other obnoxious rent seeking.
  - mst 14y ago
    If it was only a dollar or two per month and not a -complete- pain in the ass to sign up for, I'd probably pay anyway. I wonder if you could encourage the people who hate ads but would happily take a legitimate option by detecting ad blockers and instead of haranguing them for it, put up a polite advert for how to legitimise their ad free usage? (thinking in general, not just for twitter)
    - PebblesRox 14y ago
      That's a good idea. Just the other day I turned off Ad-Block on the Let's Play Archive (http://lparchive.org/Dwarf-Fortress-Boatmurdered/ http://lparchive.org/Dwarf-Fortress-Boatmurdered/) because they had a little banner message that asked me nicely if I would consider it.
igravious 14y ago
Most people aren't even aware that they could be experiencing the web ad-free. It just never even occurs to them that should a thing could be possible.