Over the past couple of months, the practice of ad blocking has received heightened ethical scrutiny. (1,2,3,4) If you’re unfamiliar with the term, “ad blocking” refers to software—usually web browser plug-ins, but increasingly mobile apps—that stop most ads from appearing when you use websites or apps that would otherwise show them. Arguments against ad blocking
There were ads! But these were simple banner graphics of 468x60 pixels. In the worst case it was an animated GIF. But hosted on the same server as the page and without any tracking shenanigans.
I remember the add that made me install my first add blocker. It stated playing the sound of knocking on glass and a voice going “Hey You!”. With a looped videoof some guy waving at me.
Every so often one gets through my blocker and they have only gotten more annoying.
Yeah, people seem to have mostly forgotten about the forced audio playback that was really prevalent for a while. It was crazy effective because you would have to hint down the actual ad causing the issue on the page to stop it.
I remember the add that made me install my first add blocker. It stated playing the sound of knocking on glass and a voice going “Hey You!”. With a looped videoof some guy waving at me.
I have a similar story. People were fine with ads until they got too obnoxious and intrusive, and now the people making the obnoxious intrusive ads are crying that people are blocking them.
There were ads! But these were simple banner graphics of 468x60 pixels. In the worst case it was an animated GIF. But hosted on the same server as the page and without any tracking shenanigans.
I remember the add that made me install my first add blocker. It stated playing the sound of knocking on glass and a voice going “Hey You!”. With a looped videoof some guy waving at me.
Every so often one gets through my blocker and they have only gotten more annoying.
Yeah, people seem to have mostly forgotten about the forced audio playback that was really prevalent for a while. It was crazy effective because you would have to hint down the actual ad causing the issue on the page to stop it.
I have a similar story. People were fine with ads until they got too obnoxious and intrusive, and now the people making the obnoxious intrusive ads are crying that people are blocking them.