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Google plans ad-blocking feature in Chrome browser

wsj.com

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Re: Google plans ad-blocking feature in Chrome browser

#351

Post by lucb1e »

fauigerzigerk wrote: post #316
lucb1e wrote: post #249

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Bad ads ruin it for Google. That might be why someone proposed it. But your parent comment mentions why management approved of the risky move: > They are trying to put "competing internet ad companies" out of business.

If there is even just a whiff of that, Google will be in very big trouble with competition authorities. So if - and that is a big if - Google goes ahead with this plan, they will have to make absolutely sure that any blocking is based on objective and simple to understand quality criteria.

It doesn't need to be spoken out loud, it's kinda obvious. I too would make it sound like this is totally not the reason.

And for the record, I don't think everyone at Google is evil, but I imagine a few managers are in it for the money and not merely the altruistic idea of making ads better.

Re: Google plans ad-blocking feature in Chrome browser

#352

Post by jiiam »

heeey wrote: post #161
ziikutv wrote: post #153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I do not consider dropping Ublock any time soon.

That's ok. If this plan works, a few years down the road Ublock will get dropped/disabled for you under some pretense when Google can claim they've got you covered for "ad blocking".

If, by any chance, someone decide that its browser is already covered as far as adblockering goes, we will simply move to a different browser/adblocker/adblocking solution.

As long as there is tech savy people there will be plenty of solutions around.

Re: Google plans ad-blocking feature in Chrome browser

#354

Post by erikb »

pookeh wrote: post #43

Hmm... Step 1. Surprise the world with better ad blocking tech than what currently exists. Step 2. When trust in tech is established, start blocking ads from other ad networks by calling them foul. Do this slowly so it's not obvious. Step 3. Wait for customers of other ad networks to notice their ads are not effective. Step 4. Steal customers...Profit.

You forgot the steps were all the other adblock businesses get disabled by default, then they get impossible to implement/update. Step 1 can already be profitable in itself if done "right".

Re: Google plans ad-blocking feature in Chrome browser

#355

Post by erikb »

return0 wrote: post #341

It's scary to watch how google manipulates the web to make it "google's web". At first they incentivized everyone to offer specific types of content, then they gradually made monetizing more difficult, and now they are actively going to try to remove the competition. They should be working on improving their ad delivery system instead.

It becomes "less" scary if you remember that many people already think that "web" means "Facebook+Instagram app on iPhone".

Re: Google plans ad-blocking feature in Chrome browser

#356

Post by dingo_bat »

forgotpwtomain wrote: post #162
TechRemarker wrote: post #140

At first it sounds insane that Google would do such a thing since while ad blocking is growing, enabling the feature natively especially by default would incredibly increase the number of ads blocked. My guess is, that where other blockers by default can easily block all google ads, Chrome blocker would not block Google Ads because it would classify them as acceptable. And Google would then hope that people would use…

On mobile Chrome does not support extensions while Firefox does. Recently on acquiring a new phone I used Chrome for a few days -- I had entirely forgotten how terrible the user-experience is without UBlock!

If you have a Samsung phone, the stock browser also supports adblockers (you can get many from the play store).

Re: Google plans ad-blocking feature in Chrome browser

#357

Post by erikb »

gavinpc wrote: post #9

Who is clicking on these ads, anyway? I've never understood how this adds up to profit (for the advertisers).

Often things that don't make sense, don't make sense for a reason. There are some ads that influence people indirectly (e.g. the trailer of one movie coming before a review of a movie on youtube). But click-through ads at this point may be a total fake business for washing drug money or something.

Not even my parents or grand parents click ads. I wouldn't believe anybody who claims there might be an unknown group of people who really do click ads.

Re: Google plans ad-blocking feature in Chrome browser

#358

Post by reitanqild »

literallycancer wrote: post #333
reitanqild wrote: post #280

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, but if you keep them as pets you should feed them? Not saying ad blockers are bad -I use them- just that your analogy breaks down quickly.

Pets make you more likely to buy poor quality products that you don't need or want?

No but GP likens (websites carrying ads) to (rats).

I point out that GP is in a mostly voluntarily relationship with those websites.

Re: Google plans ad-blocking feature in Chrome browser

#360

Post by TillE »

runeks wrote: post #245
iainmerrick wrote: post #224

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google rarely makes unilateral decisions from the top down to product teams. Apart from shutting them down.

To be fair, relying on product teams to shut themselves down, in case they've hit a dead-end, probably wouldn't work.

Actually, why not? It's not like the employees get fired. You generally know when you're working on a crappy product.
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