After 20 years I turned off Google Adsense for my websites (2025)

> Plus, turning off the ads should more clearly classify my blog as “non-commercial” for the various legal tests that impose greater liability on commercial actors.

Anyone know what these might be offhand? I think federal trademark law may sting more if used commercially. But what else could he be referring to?

Re: After 20 years I turned off Google Adsense for my websites (2025)

#5

Post by BLKNSLVR » Tue, Apr 07, 2026, 12:23 AM UTC

I do find it interesting that the author specifies they use an ad blocker whilst also wanting to view the industry 'from the inside'. I'm not sure there isn't a level of hypocrisy there, albeit understandable.

As staunchly anti-advertising, I wouldn't include advertising on anything I publish personally, but then I also don't publish anything, so I have no pressure to change my stance. I think I've convinced myself that my opinion doesn't matter to those who may be able to earn a decent stream from advertising (as much as I dislike that, and as much as I dislike my opinion being value-less).

Re: After 20 years I turned off Google Adsense for my websites (2025)

#6

Post by datadrivenangel » Tue, Apr 07, 2026, 12:28 AM UTC

bluepeter wrote: post #4

> Plus, turning off the ads should more clearly classify my blog as “non-commercial” for the various legal tests that impose greater liability on commercial actors. Anyone know what these might be offhand? I think federal trademark law may sting more if used commercially. But what else could he be referring to?

Mostly around copyright issues, but probably also potential defamation as well.

Re: After 20 years I turned off Google Adsense for my websites (2025)

#7

Post by beej71 » Tue, Apr 07, 2026, 12:30 AM UTC

I had some sites that used it years ago ca. 2006. $500/mo at peak. Then one month it suddenly halved for no apparent reason. And it kept dropping. After a while or just wasn't with the ugliness. And I learned to never count on Google.

Since then I've become anti-ad and haven't had any for years. I am sorry for my embarrassing lapse in judgment. :)

Re: After 20 years I turned off Google Adsense for my websites (2025)

#8

Post by drnick1 » Tue, Apr 07, 2026, 12:31 AM UTC

Aren't most people using ad blockers these days, making the revenue that one can generate with ads trivial unless traffic is enormous?

Re: After 20 years I turned off Google Adsense for my websites (2025)

#9

Post by traverseda » Tue, Apr 07, 2026, 12:32 AM UTC

drnick1 wrote: post #8

Aren't most people using ad blockers these days, making the revenue that one can generate with ads trivial unless traffic is enormous?

About 30% from what I could find.

Re: After 20 years I turned off Google Adsense for my websites (2025)

#10

Post by paulcole » Tue, Apr 07, 2026, 12:34 AM UTC

beej71 wrote: post #7

I had some sites that used it years ago ca. 2006. $500/mo at peak. Then one month it suddenly halved for no apparent reason. And it kept dropping. After a while or just wasn't with the ugliness. And I learned to never count on Google. Since then I've become anti-ad and haven't had any for years. I am sorry for my embarrassing lapse in judgment. :)

Easy to become anti-ad after they stop paying lol

Like me becoming anti-my-girlfriend after she dumped me