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Many major websites are taking silent anti-ad-blocking measures

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Re: Many major websites are taking silent anti-ad-blocking measures

#101

Okay, here's a crazy idea for advertisers. Tie the advertisement to the type of content that the user is already there to read about. Then you can serve ads from the content web server and make it indistinguishable from content, completely unobtrusive, completely noninvasive, and maybe even welcome.

Carbon Ads are a good bet. Downside being the network is invite only.

Re: Many major websites are taking silent anti-ad-blocking measures

#102

Okay, here's a crazy idea for advertisers. Tie the advertisement to the type of content that the user is already there to read about. Then you can serve ads from the content web server and make it indistinguishable from content, completely unobtrusive, completely noninvasive, and maybe even welcome.

> [...] serve ads from the content web server and make it indistinguishable from content

This sounds like an argument for sponsored content. At least with the current ad strategy, it can be relatively easy for a user distinguish ads from content. How do we distinguish a YouTube video that ends with the statement "this video was brought to you by [sponsor not relevant to the content]" and a YouTube version of an infomercial?

Re: Many major websites are taking silent anti-ad-blocking measures

#103

I use an ad blocker, because otherwise the web is unusable. Maybe if (1) fewer ads pumped up CPU and memory usage for a page, and (2) companies didn't give their non-technical asshole free reign over placing scripts on the page, then maybe many of these sites wouldn't be so bad to visit without an ad blocker.

>I use an ad blocker, because otherwise the web is unusable. This is extremely hyperbolic. Why not just, you know, not visit those websites if their business model is so abhorrent to you? Do you feel entitled to something for nothing?

It is perfectly legal to use an ad blocker.

If these companies are unhappy with me using an ad blocker, then THEY are the entitled ones. They should change the law, if they don't like it.

I AM entitled to use an ad blocker, because that's what the law says.

Re: Many major websites are taking silent anti-ad-blocking measures

#104

I use an ad blocker, because otherwise the web is unusable. Maybe if (1) fewer ads pumped up CPU and memory usage for a page, and (2) companies didn't give their non-technical asshole free reign over placing scripts on the page, then maybe many of these sites wouldn't be so bad to visit without an ad blocker.

"I use an ad blocker, because otherwise the web is unusable" What sites are unusable? Aside from some click-bait destinations like BuzzFeed I've found the web without ad blockers works well enough.

>What sites are unusable?

Youtube.

Re: Many major websites are taking silent anti-ad-blocking measures

#105
post #92

I've started noticing this from Google, among others. Tracking scripts are no longer explicitly named as such, or they're prefixed with some slug or GUID alongside the legitimate "functional" scripts. It's getting to a point where you need to actively monitor every network request the site makes. It's despicable and I have nothing but ill will for the data scientists, software engineers, and product managers who part…

.. I mean, they would not have jobs if they did not participate in it.

I tend to think there's enough legitimate work out there for data scientists (especially these days) without resorting to this.

Re: Many major websites are taking silent anti-ad-blocking measures

#106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is obviously the right solution. It's what print newspapers and magazines do. Why isn't there a quality first-party ad platform? Is there a business opportunity here?

I think it comes down to control and trust. Right now advertisers can run all sorts of crazy stuff without reproach, they don't want to give that up. Having ads served by the first-party would also require the advertiser to trust them to report all data accurately. Perhaps another reason is that you lose the ability to track users through third-party cookies?

3rd party is executing inside your first party context

Lack of independent impression counting

Re: Many major websites are taking silent anti-ad-blocking measures

#107

Okay, here's a crazy idea for advertisers. Tie the advertisement to the type of content that the user is already there to read about. Then you can serve ads from the content web server and make it indistinguishable from content, completely unobtrusive, completely noninvasive, and maybe even welcome.

Carbon Ads are a good bet. Downside being the network is invite only.

You can beg an invite which is what I did. So long as your site is in their target markets they are likely to let you in.

Re: Many major websites are taking silent anti-ad-blocking measures

#108

Okay, here's a crazy idea for advertisers. Tie the advertisement to the type of content that the user is already there to read about. Then you can serve ads from the content web server and make it indistinguishable from content, completely unobtrusive, completely noninvasive, and maybe even welcome.

I only disagree with:

> make it indistinguishable from content

I kind of hate the idea of having marketing-planted material appearing indistinguishable from real content. Most of that is the general distrust I have towards large organizations in general.

That said, one could argue that all content is "marketing-planted" even when it's not an ad. There's always an agenda or at least bias. That's a fair point. Carry on good sir.

Re: Many major websites are taking silent anti-ad-blocking measures

#109

the irony on full display (at the linked article) in chrome devtools / record perf timeline and network log. incognito: 4.4mb, 7000ms scripting, 365 requests, onload: 7600ms with uMatrix (no third party shit): 612kb, 190ms of scripting, 56 requests, onload: 500ms this is on a 300MBit connection

The linked article is highly readable and loads very quickly simply by disabling all JavaScript on the site. Which I do by default. Thank you NoScript.

This is the only way to live. Been doing it for years and while I do end up whitelisting a lot (especially on a new browser) it is so much easier and less annoying than dealing with the ads and crappy scripts.

Re: Many major websites are taking silent anti-ad-blocking measures

#110

I use an ad blocker, because otherwise the web is unusable. Maybe if (1) fewer ads pumped up CPU and memory usage for a page, and (2) companies didn't give their non-technical asshole free reign over placing scripts on the page, then maybe many of these sites wouldn't be so bad to visit without an ad blocker.

Animated ads actually give me sensory overload. If a site could promise non-moving ads, I'd gladly whitelist them. It's amazing how many sites think you'll just accept incredibly intrusive and annoying banners.

I feel like we are reaching the 'end of days' as the actual informative content on a site is typically less than 20% of the visual information on a page. I have adjusted my browsing habits to avoid sites which may be visually offensive to my sensibilities, bog down my cpu, or hang my browser. That isn't necessarily a bad thing (for me) but it certainly seems counterproductive to the site owners' goals.
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