Why is it OK for you to STEAL from me?

[healthstatus]

Why is it OK for you to come to my content site with your ad-blocker software turned on? You know that is how I get paid, right? Why is my effort in setting up a site, paying for servers, programmers, writers and support staff which you then utilize and take advantage subject to theft? You guys all get outraged when someone around here copies an idea, but it is OK to steal the content from websites that you visit with your ad blocker on. How do you justify that?

I have had some people looking at some things on my site redesign both here and another outlet I use and have had feedback on issues that turned out to be because ad blockers were on. I am appreciative of the feedback and I AM NOT calling anyone in particular out on this (thanks and rep was given)! But it got me thinking...

So if you use an ad blocker, tell me why it is ok for you to steal. AND tell me why I shouldn't snoop your browser when you visit my site and if you have an ad blocker on, why shouldn't I kick your thieving butt to the curb and deny access. Really, I am looking for some dialogue on this.

 

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[Stubbers]

Not me never been to your site ... That said put some redirect code on your site if they are using it send them to Disney or the adblocker home page

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/18387773/how-to-detect-users-with-adblock-and-redirect-javascript

 

[Formless]

Ads only make a difference if I click on them or buy from them right?

I would do neither. That's all. And I turned adblocker off to see if there were any products that I was interested in, and there weren't, but that's just me.

You have EVERY RIGHT UNDER THE SUN to kick me, and you wouldn't be wrong for it. There's a site I visit which infact DOES do a pop-up message saying 'Ads are how we can keep this site free and packed with high quality content, could you please turn off your adblocker' or something like that.

 

[healthstatus]

That said put some redirect code on your site if they are using it

Already have the code in my arsenal, wanting to hear the opinions to understand why I shouldn't implement.

 

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[healthstatus]

Ads only make a difference if I click on them or buy from them right?

Nope, I get paid just showing you ads, it is a CPM model, I get paid for a high percentage of the ads I show whether you click or not.

here's a site I visit which infact DOES do a pop-up message saying 'Ads are how we can keep this site free and packed with high quality content, could you please turn off your adblocker' or something like that.

So does that make you turn it off? Does that aggravate you?

 

[Sean DeSilva]

Hi, I mean no disrespect in my reply, but doesn't theft imply criminality? I installed an ad blocker because I was tired of the constant pop-up messages I was getting.

 

[Formless]

Well, the particular service that the site offers is something I am a hardcore-fan of. (Older Kickboxing/MMA matches). It doesn't make me angry, I do it every-time. There have been a few situations where I was watching fights with my friend, who is a more casual fan of combat sports, and he got a little irritated by the banner.

Can you split your group of consumers into the proverbial 'casuals' and 'hardcores'? Who's the majority?

Also, I didn't know about the Ad model. I'll go to your side and click around a bit so I can see the ads. As an apology.

 

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[brob742]

I work in digital publishing/ad trafficking, so obviously I am going to be extremely biased here...

BUT, if you are receiving free content/free software - seeing a couple ads is a fair price to pay. It's how the interwebs works people.
It's how publishers make a living. They provide awesome, free tools and content and you in return allow a couple ads on the screen.

I agree that it is stealing.

 

[healthstatus]

I'll go to your side and click around a bit so I can see the ads. As an apology.

Please don't, click fraud is a huge problem, and it could cause more issues.

 

[healthstatus]

but doesn't theft imply criminality?

You take without paying the price of admission, having my ads appear. Isn't that criminal? It is no different than sneaking into a movie and not paying.

 

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[JAJT]

People do it for the same reason they skip television ads, sit down at a theater 10 minutes late to avoid the commercials, change radio stations when music isn't playing, opt out of email marketing and put "no junk mail" signs on their mail boxes.

If you count not viewing an ad as stealing then I don't know a single person on this planet who isn't guilty.

I'm not trying to debate the morality of it, I'm just saying it seems like a better use of energy to focus on the people that do view ads rather than getting upset at those who don't.

 

[healthstatus]

Can you split your group of consumers into the proverbial 'casuals' and 'hardcores'? Who's the majority?

Yes, but why does that matter? (really, not a flippant response, help me get it) It costs me over a $1000.00 a month to have a set of servers online 24/7.

 

[Sean DeSilva]

it makes sense, thanks. I actually built AdSense sites myself many years ago and never really thought about it that way.

I think the solution to your problem is a good splash page that introduces people to your website and emphasizes the terms and conditions that you want to make clear up front. Sometime back, an article by Kissmetrics showed that splash pages aren't seen as annoying as pop-ups are as long as the "continue to site" button was easy to get to.

 

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[healthstatus]

People do it for the same reason they skip television ads, sit down at a theater 10 minutes late to avoid the commercials, change radio stations when music isn't playing, opt out of email marketing and put "no junk mail" signs on their mail boxes.

You paid to get into the movie, more and more TV is going to premium channels that you have to pay for.

I'm just saying it seems like a better use of energy to focus on the people that do view ads rather than getting upset at those who don't.

And Walmart shouldn't worry about people that steal stuff they should just worry about the people that pay and make things more expensive for them?

 

[healthstatus]

I actually built AdSense sites myself many years ago and never really thought about it that way.

Adsense is different in that you only get paid when someone clicks an ad, but if they aren't seeing the ad, no chance in a click is there?

 

[Formless]

Because now you have some sort of answer. If the majority of spenders are 'casuals' then grin and bear it or use a more effective/innovative method of marketing affiliate products. But if they're 'hardcores' then implement the anti-ad-blocker strategy, just be nice with your choice of text to them.

Morality is one thing, efficiency is another.

 

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[brob742]

What percent of your traffic is blocking? I think an interstitial or splash page only makes sense if it's a high percentage of visitors.

 

[Y.B.]

I don't use ad blockers myself but I see it backfiring on if you redirect your users. Who knows who is visiting your website, a blog owner, a journalist...you're missing out on opportunities they'll share or recommend your site. It will provider for a terrible user experience....also it's possible it will have a negative effect on your organic rankings. Google monitors how much time is spent on your site, how many clickthroughs you get, bounce rate, etc..

 

[healthstatus]

What percent of your traffic is blocking?

Just created an analytics event, will know in a week after a good sample.

 

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[soonrich]

I have never visited your site and just stumbled on this thread so my point may not be valid to this scenario, correct me if i say anything wrong. Think about it from the average viewers perspective, the vast majority of them don't know how websites/ online marketing work or make their money. They just see ads and think its a part of every website so it becomes normal but once you start to put some pop-ups into the mix (not necessarily from your site) it starts to become a nuisance so why wouldn't you install an adblocker? My friends go crazy whenever i tell them how things like google adsense and IM work, getting paid every time someone clicks/views an ad is a bit of a crazy concept for the average joe to understand. Everyone just thinks the internets free.

 

[Runum]

I am experimenting with cookie and ad blockers myself but I have not been to your website. I have to know what they can and cannot block. To me it's all part of business warfare. Strategic. Point, counterpoint. Websites have not been transparent and forthcoming about what information they are collecting and how they are using it. Consumers feel violated so they take defensive measures. Business owners offer "free" content that really isn't free. It's all part of the marketing game.

 

[healthstatus]

It will provider for a terrible user experience

For terrible users...

a blog owner, a journalist...you're missing out on opportunities they'll share or recommend your site

If those people don't understand about ad revenue driven websites, they aren't going to have enough of a base to refer me much traffic.

 

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[healthstatus]

Everyone just thinks the internets free.

I HATE rewarding stupid.

 

[Bigguns50]

I get it but maybe a lot of people don't understand there is a trade off....ads for free information. Before this forum, I never knew, and maybe many don't, that you get paid just by showing ads. I just never thought about it. I always the website owner got paid if I clicked on the ad or bought something.

I like the websites that tell me what they do...ie. This free information is made possible by our advertisers...or...pay a fee and you wont see ads.

I don't use an ad blocker simply because they don't bother me and there may be an ad I'm interested in...AND since this forum, I understand this is one way people make money.

I understand your point and I do think it's stealing if they understand you make money by showing ads and choose to use an ad blocker.

 

[Gsuz]

I think you're expecting too much from the average internet user.
I don't come to your site with my adblocker enabled to steal your content, but I come to your site and have my adblocker enabled, because other sites are overextending the boundaries of online ads by using splashs, interstitials, overlays and god knows what.

Just put banners behind the ads saying something along the lines "The costs to run this site are financed by ads. Unfortunately, you're using an adblocker. Please consider disabling your adblocker on this site, if you want to enjoy free high-quality content in the future. Thank you"

I know that I disabled Adblock on many sites that I like using and that made me aware of the fact that they are using ads to keep the site running.

 

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[healthstatus]

Just put banners behind the ads saying something along the lines "The costs to run this site are financed by ads. Unfortunately, you're using an adblocker. Please consider disabling your adblocker on this site, if you want to enjoy free high-quality content in the future. Thank you"

Good idea, not too in your face.

 

[Y.B.]

If those people don't understand about ad revenue driven websites, they aren't going to have enough of a base to refer me much traffic

Whether or not they have a popup blocker has nothing to do with their understanding of ad revenue

I don't mean to insult you but you sound very bitter. Sure no one likes losing out on potential revenue but you're just going to piss people off, which you may not care about because they aren't earning you any $, but that's not to say they don't have an aggregate affect on your site and your rankings (which they do). Your job is to provide value for your visitors, even if you get nothing in return. That's how SEO and social media works.

 

[LibertyForMe]

I mean...I went to your site and signed up with my adblocker on.

I use adblocker for a couple reasons. First, I hate when I click a link on a website and it causes a pop-up to happen as well as taking me to my intended destination. I have no desire to see a pop-up. If I want to subscribe to an email list then I will subscribe to it.

Also, I don't ever buy anything online through ads. Like, I have never purchased anything by clicking through an ad. I tune them out. If I am going to buy something online I research it on google and amazon and then make a decision. I am not willy nilly with my money. So there is not much point for me as a consumer to see ads, because I am not going to act on them anyways.

Third, lots of ads look like tabloids and I don't feel like seeing that garbage. No, I don't enjoy being ambushed by some spammy half naked woman or testosterone boosted guy.

That is just my opinion on the matter.

 

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[smarty]

to me ads are too annoying but i don't use adblocker. I use "Stylish" chrome extension to hide them on some sites. I would rather pay a small monthly fee and have no ads at all. To be honest I even thought ads would be turned off here once I join insiders but that is of a little importance now because the insider's content is great.

 

[healthstatus]

I don't mean to insult you but you sound very bitter.

No insult, thick skin and mostly accurate

I frequently take these challenging thought positions, to a) make people think, b) defend their actions and c) find the real reasons.

And quite often you find really good nuggets in the little more emotional exchanges.

Your job is to provide value for your visitors, even if you get nothing in return.

No, that is called charity. I give to charities that I decide on. Freeloaders are not a charity I am inclined to support.