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Ask HN: Why did Coinhive, the in-browser crypto miner, fail?

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Re: Ask HN: Why did Coinhive, the in-browser crypto miner, fail?

#51
post #23
post #10

Well, for one, AV software started to classify any website with its code as 'infected' with malware. Then adblockers blocked their script, and even today their website doesn't load properly with uBlock activated.

These are definitely important issues but they don't sound like show-stoppers. Many people use anti virus software and adblockers but then again many don't! Additionally they (or some alternative) may have been able to improve the software and create a simple consent process to avoid being blacklisted.

I tried it on a couple of sites I have with ~1k users using pretty heavily. I made $1.50 USD over a couple of months, and most complained that it was being blocked/giving security warnings when visiting the site.

Not that I am making much from ads either, but it just really wasn't worth it. Affiliate revenue, while small on a grand scheme, was much more effective .

Re: Ask HN: Why did Coinhive, the in-browser crypto miner, fail?

#52

I'm not sure how it's a perfect alternative. It seems worse on almost every dimension. You're stuck between running this miner covertly (scummy) or asking for permission (who is going to click yes?). How much of Coinhive's income comes from users who are unknowingly running the code? It seems like a move towards more user-hostility, not less. The one time I saw an actual fit for the end user was an online game that w…

I routinely disable my adblock for certain news websites because they tell me to, otherwise I can't see their content. Websites asking for 'opt-in' does work. It works on me all the time.

Sure, and you are unique in this regard. Just look the developments of counter-antiadblocker rules making it on to Easylist. People don't even see those pleas.

Of course, the other issue is that this was only feasible under very specific and temporary circumstances, so it cannot be the answer to ads. Coinhive is done. The experiment failed.

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