Most-read tech publications have lost over half their Google traffic since 2024

Post by mikestew » Tue, Mar 03, 2026, 10:01 PM UTC

pocksuppet wrote: post #96

structural wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mobile users (or other locked down devices where adblockers are forbidden) are still a decent chunk of traffic. It's much easier to just read the overview and not click through to the ad infestation, or even use a chatbot of choice as the search engine instead of going to Google, because "websites is how you get spammed with ads".

> Mobile users (or other locked down devices where adblockers are forbidden) Just say Apple. They're still allowed on Android, although I don't think you can get them from the Play Store.

Post by apparent » Tue, Mar 03, 2026, 10:02 PM UTC

dehrmann wrote: post #73

Aboutplants wrote: post #48

If you’ve visited any of these sites recently it’s obvious that part of the issue is that you’re bombarded with pops, ads everywhere, autoplaying video, etc. It’s nauseating and a horrible user experience. If all I’m looking for is straightforward content/info then I’m naturally using the most efficient way to get that content/information and visiting a website is not the most efficient way anymore

Every time I visit the FT, the experience is reasonable enough.

Post by sgtaylor5 » Tue, Mar 03, 2026, 10:30 PM UTC

pousada wrote: post #117

politelemon wrote: post #113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ublock origin is a Firefox extension that works on mobile. You don't need a dedicated app for blocking adverts.

Not on iOS, there Firefox is actually Safari under the hood and you can’t use extensions… Haven’t found a good solution yet (other than avoiding websites with ads)

Post by dredmorbius » Tue, Mar 03, 2026, 10:42 PM UTC

mikestew wrote: post #150

functionmouse wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Cool Wikipedia read. These (chumboxes) are on our Windows 10 lock screens at work.

Wait a minute, what? What I read from your comment is that on your work machines the screen savers display ads? I mean, I’d heard Windows was getting bad with the ads, but surely it doesn’t work that way out of the box.

Post by SR2Z » Tue, Mar 03, 2026, 11:31 PM UTC

mikestew wrote: post #151

pocksuppet wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Mobile users (or other locked down devices where adblockers are forbidden) Just say Apple. They're still allowed on Android, although I don't think you can get them from the Play Store.

They didn’t “just say Apple” because it wouldn’t be true. What gives you the impression ad blockers don’t work on Apple mobile devices?