I Block Ads • Hacker News Board

Re: I Block Ads

#251

Post by spopejoy » Sat, May 27, 2023, 4:31 PM UTC

nunez wrote: post #174

submeta wrote: post #43

Whenever I'm sitting in front of a computer that isn't using ad blockers, I'm shocked to see how polluted websites are, practically yelling at me, vying for my attention. How can folks concentrate on an article without ad blockers? Then there are those ads in YouTube videos and blog articles purporting to offer the reader something valuable when, in fact, they're packed with falsehoods ("xyz changed my life, and if y…

People ignore them, just like TV ads.

> [Some] people [are able to] ignore them, just like TV ads.

FTFY. I am definitely not one of them. If I'm hanging out at a TV-heavy friend's place they all chat happily over the obnoxious ads while I try+fail to ignore them.

Re: I Block Ads

#252

Post by DirkH » Tue, May 30, 2023, 4:47 PM UTC

nickwritesit wrote: post #245

DirkH wrote: post #191

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just want to point out I think there's a big difference between using tracking to "gauge interest" and using ads. You can do one without the other. In fact, there are even privacy-respecting alternatives for businesses to track online traffic.

I tend to agree, even though the line can be blurry. I was more anti this kind of stuff until I used Google Analytics for the first time and saw how you could fiddle with just a few things on a page and decrease bounce rate or increase how long people stayed on page (reading the article, one hopes). I always assumed it'd involve more quality compromise or something but it's often just changing a headline and showing…

But can't you use services that provide the exact same analytics benefit without Google's abysmal privacy policy?

Privacy-friendly Google Analytics alternatives include: Matomo, Plausible, Umami, Nullitics, Shynet, Pirshc, Swetrix, Cabin, Aptabase

I haven't used these and would use Google Analytics if it were indeed just too much better than everything else out there. But if another service gives me everything Google Analytics provides and more, why continue using Google Analytics?

I wouldn't know though since I've never tried using these. I just know about them.

Re: I Block Ads

#253

Post by openplatypus » Tue, May 30, 2023, 8:28 PM UTC

DirkH wrote: post #252

nickwritesit wrote: post #245

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I tend to agree, even though the line can be blurry. I was more anti this kind of stuff until I used Google Analytics for the first time and saw how you could fiddle with just a few things on a page and decrease bounce rate or increase how long people stayed on page (reading the article, one hopes). I always assumed it'd involve more quality compromise or something but it's often just changing a headline and showing…

But can't you use services that provide the exact same analytics benefit without Google's abysmal privacy policy? Privacy-friendly Google Analytics alternatives include: Matomo, Plausible, Umami, Nullitics, Shynet, Pirshc, Swetrix, Cabin, Aptabase I haven't used these and would use Google Analytics if it were indeed just too much better than everything else out there. But if another service gives me everything Google…

There is also Wide Angle Analytics, Simple Analytics, and few other options.

As you said. There is little reason to expose yourself to an extra risk.

From CNIls ruling (not a quote, but a summary):

> The CNIL ordered each website operator to comply with the GDPR—for example, by not using Google Analytics or “using a tool that does not involve a transfer outside the EU”.