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The popular browser extension Adblock Plus has angered some Webgoers after deciding to stop blocking certain advertisements by default. With previous builds, the add-on would block any ads that it could, but the developer has reconsidered that approach because it discourages users from supporting their favorite sites. The new version will allow "non-intrusive" ads to be displayed, while simultaneously blocking those that are less kosher.
Wladimir Palant has defined some requirements for "acceptable" ads: they can't have any animations or sound, no attention-grabbing images, and at most one script that delays page load times. Adblock also hopes to establish mandatory support for Do Not Track, but it's not in a position to enforce that yet. If you're against seeing any ads, you can block everything again by unchecking the "allow non-intrusive advertising" option in "Filter Preferences."
Palant said he must enable the feature by default because it's the only way to get advertisers onboard. He noted that most users won't enable it on their own, simply because they won't tinker with their settings. "In the long term the web will become a better place for everybody, not only Adblock Plus users. Without this feature we run the danger that increasing Adblock Plus usage will make small websites unsustainable."
According to a survey, only 25% of Adblock users oppose all ads and as you might expect, they're the most vocal about this change. The reality is that many sites exist and remain free purely because of ad revenue -- TechSpot included. When you think about it, it's a vicious cycle. People block ads because they're annoying. That dents a site's income and ultimately forces them to seek more lucrative (read: peskier) ads.
That prompts more people to block the site's ads and thus it grows even more desperate. Before you know it, audiovisual billboards bombard you at every turn unless you rely on extensions like Adblock Plus. That's a dramatization of the Internet in 2011, but it's not entirely inaccurate. Being the tech-savvy crowd you are, most of you probably run some form of adblock filter. Are you willing to let "non-intrusive" ads slip through?
User Comments: 31
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An alternate option would be to use AdFender which is also free and uses the same EasyList filters used by many Adblock Plus users.
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An alternate option would be to use AdFender which is also free and uses the same EasyList filters used by many Adblock Plus users.
Which is not a firefox add on, is proprietary closed source software and is Windows only.
One other solution to this problem is for someone to fork adblock plus.
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I tried adblock, but disabled it as I found it blocked too many ads. I only want to block ads with sound/pop-ups/expanders.
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Dimpl said:
As someone who runs websites, I can see both sides. I'd be ok with allowing ads that are TRULY non-intrusive, meaning don't insert an ad in between every other paragraph while I'm reading! Keep them to the sidebars and keep them visually toned-down.The problem is, if only a few sites violate this and insert ads in the text content, then I'm going to respond by blocking all ads by default. So sites that "behave" still will lose.
The only thing that might be nice is if AdBlock makes a code snippet for website operators to insert with their ads that displays, in place of ads, an option for adblock users to unblock ads for just that site if they want to support it.
ABP could even scan your recent browsing history when it installs, and ask you to select any sites you'd like to support and leave ads on for just those sites.
At the end of the day, no matter what anybody says, technology puts the user in control. Yes, technology can be used to restrict people as well, but as history has shown, it's only a short time before users circumvent restrictive technology.
So advertisers and publishers should take this to heart: don't frustrate and alienate your viewers or they'll punish you hard. Instead, find ways to make them happy and they will reward you and be loyal for life, and they'll help you to the top where you'll beat all the shady advertisers.
Yes please! Prompt me to allow ads on the sites I like.
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So, given the new protocols, wouldn't it make sense to change the program's name?
I'm casting my vote for, "Ad-Mit", ("Plus" or otherwise).
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learninmypc said:
I'm so used to Adblock plus, any website looks cluttered when adblock is disabled. Sorry, I'll continue "not" allowing ads.
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