Asklemmy

Do I use adblockers? Yes

Why? Honestly it's not about the ads, nor the tracking, or user privacy (though it is a perk). Nope I block ads for simple device security.

Fake links to sites I never wanted to visit with fake download buttons, or play buttons which download viruses or malware to my machines. I remember having a machine with Norton, and having to re-install the OS every year or so since too many accidental clicks caused me to download the wrong things.

And don't get me started with those old grotesque ads found on the bottom of pages. Nor the cleanup of my Grandparents machines with Viruses that live in RAM, or Ransom Ware which a cousin installed while looking for minecraft skins.

An AdBlocker is a security tool on the internet, it makes sure that the links you are clicking are from the site itself. It helps simplify the decisions needed since now instead of 2-10 download and play buttons, there maybe 1 or 2.

My Grand Parents don't have viruses any more, I don't get viruses any more. Sure it sucks that the site I visit doesn't get the $0.05 which it might get from ads if I visit. But after trying to do it legitimately for years, I just can't trust ad providers (even on Google) to get me the correct links or information any more.

I usually run my adblocker because there have been too many instances of malicious ads and just overly annoying advertisements. I will support creators directly when possible, and in other cases will disable the adblocker for specific sites that I trust and find value in. The advertising industry did this to themselves, I don't feel bad for using the blocker.

I like to change the metaphor. We're not visiting websites. We are inviting them into our homes.

But when we open the door, our friend brings a group of rowdy drunks with him, they're rummaging through closets (privacy invasion), they drink the beer (draining batteries and using internet data volume) and maybe they damage things (malware) - so I have a bouncer. If you're not invited, you're not getting in.

As for creatives, I'll happily tip them, i have no issues with sponsored content (as long as it is declared) - they probably get more from that then the ad-impressions.

Once upon a time, I used to care and disabled adblocking by default.

But then they tried adding malware and ridiculous amounts of requests to third-party sites I didn't consent to share, and is actually consuming metered data on mobile back then when unlimited data wasn't an option.

So yeah, I'm adblocking by default now that it's been abused and it's necessary for self-defense.

The internet is an usuable hellhole without uBlock Origin. I don't give two shits if creators are losing money. All you're 'creating' for me is annoyance with those invasive autoplaying video abombinations.

I own my computer, and I control what is displayed on it. I can do anything I want to control what is and isn't on my screen. It is not my problem is the majority of content is reliant on an ineffective monetization method.

I do wish someone would make an ad block that faked impressions. But it would probably lose the advantages of fast load times, security etc.

yes, because no ads basically means my antivirus software has nothing to do. Creators have no choice over what ads are served up with the content and 99% of ads are loaded with malware whether you click on them or not.

Creators need to come up with better ways to monetise their content instead of relying on them.

I use an adblocker but I turn it off for sites I like and want to support.

I'm using adblocker and sponsorblock on all devices (phone, Laptop, TV). There is no creator I like so much that I would endure those nuisances.

I do have paid subscriptions as well as ongoing patreons for some to ensure they get at least some revenue, but third party ads/ads spliced in from the main platform itself will not be tolerated.

This conversation made me go install Adguard Home in my house.

It’s not just ads though, it’s the tracking that bugs me

Yes I do, screw ads. I use uBlock Origin on all my browsers and I run a home server with Adguard Home in it (I prefer Adguard Home instead of Pi-Hole, the former is super easy to update and it only runs on 1 service).

I often connect to my home server from my cellphone with Wireguard or OpenVPN to go through Adguard Home when I'm away.

That’s an overly simplistic take.

Over the years, ads have become louder, bigger, more intrusive, more voluminous, and alarmingly much more “personal”

I value my peace and my privacy.

I support creators with donations, subscriptions and purchases. If it’s an exclusively ad-supported service that does so respectfully and reasonably, I might whitelist it.

Everything else gets blocked. I use AdGuard and their extensions, and a VPN set to a Swiss geo helps with the rest.

Who the hell doesn't use adblock ? Seriously, it's been at least 20 years that it's necessary to browse the web.

Some people like Lemmy admin's and other fediverse people try to rebuild a free internet where it's not needed. But unfortunately, in most of the web it's necessary. Your friend is doing a political statement about adblock there is nothing wrong in not agreeing with right wing people

I use Pihole to filter ads network wide. I also have Tailscale setup so I can route all my DNS requests through my home network and filter mobile ads as well.

Fuck ads.

I more or less agree with the sentiment, which is why I disable my adblock on sites I use regularly, with 3 exceptions:

1. If the ads are egregious, adblock stays on. Half- page content blocking ads stay blocked. Auto playing noisy video ads stay blocked. You get the idea.
2. If they have tracking JavaScript that isn't blocked by regular built browser built in blocking stuff then my ad block stays on. They can have my data or they can throw ads at me. Not both.
3. Any site that I am paying for the ad block stays on. If I'm paying for your service, you don't get to advertise at me and you don't get to throw a bunch of tracking crap at me.

I use an adblocker (uBlock Origin).

It blocks some malware. Also, most ads are low quality scams and there are too many everywhere. I do like to get tracked everywhere just by viewing ads.

Web is unusable without.I donate to content creators . They make more money, im less pissed off. Win win.

I use a selfhosted public DNS which runs AdGuard Home where I have multiple block lists running that filter my whole Internet Access from Home, which not only makes my internet at home a lot faster because Ads and other annoying or malicious sites don‘t even get loaded/sent to my home network, but makes it also safer. I run it on a VPS since I have my parents and friends use it too.

Yes, I absolutely use adblock, I couldn't imagine browsing without it. I support creators I like by donating them money or joining their patreon.

Oh yes, I use ad blockers. Some of the stuff that some ads have going on today feel like a form of malware, tracking you all over the internet. Not to mention the occasional actual malware that no one seems to screen ads for. No thank you.

Yes, always have and always will. The internet is just plain hostile without one. Watching others browse the web without one is fascinating to watch. I don't really care much for the "moral" side of things.

Just for fun, I checked my self hosted AdGuard DNS and 60% of queries were blocked! That's insane. That's just DNS level blocking.

Absolutely. I can still support a creator without watching terrible ads, and I really don't like selling my soul to DoubleClick.

ublock-origin all the way. I hate ads.

I use it because I feel like ad's are forced on me at every turn in my life. Its not just the internet, but everywhere I go IRL. Bilboards on every road and highway. I actually think billboards should be illegal everywhere as they are an eyesore. Ad's at the gas pump when I'm filling up. Restaurants I go to with signs for unrelated businesses. At the store when the radio is playing. The radio is it's own mess. I have no idea how people listen to 3 songs an hour with no option to skip a song you don't like.

Anybody not using Firefox + DuckDuckGo + uBlock in 2023 is asking for Spyware.

Man I don't even know how people use the internet without an adblocker. It's literally impossible to focus on the content with all the pop ups and banner ads it's such a bad experience.

I wouldn't be able to function online without an Ad Blocker, use uBlock on my PCs, PiHole at home and AdGuard DNS when on a cell phone. If I like an individual creator, I'll join their Patreon or make whatever donation they prefer.

Watching this YouTube video makes me realise I have no regret using Adblockers.

I use adblocking either through Chrome extentions or by using Brave Browser. I don't feel good about not supporting some websites, but ads have become extremely intrusive and excessive. It's not my fault that ads try to finger my brain at every chance whenever I am on the internet. I do it for my own peace of mind.

I pay for content that I enjoy, but the general web is intolerable without an ad blocker.

Ads have become so invasive that most sites are simply unusable without ad blocking. If I care about the creator, I usually pay the creator in some way.

I use ad blockers. I do feel for people who are trying to make a living producing content, I really do.

BUT I really, really, am against letting the big tech companies that serve the ads make the majority of the money. It's beyond messed up how little content creators make compared to what companies like Google make with ads. Ads make some companies so much money they sink tons of money into finding more ways to creep on our personal lives.

Kind of related but not completely is how Apple and Google take cuts of money spent in apps and to pay for paid apps in their app stores. Like wtf? Sure, I can understand these tech companies need money to run their servers and all that, but jfc why do they need such a huge cut? App devs, artists (YouTube and Spotify, I'm looking at you), writers, whatever all create content people enjoy and tech companies just corner the market and force people who are usually not great with computers or tech, and they just fuck them. Content creators have no say.

I use Adblock because YouTube has too many ads, and anywhere else makes me feel like I'll get malware if I turn it off.

I use an tracker blocker, because the way advertising is done today by google and similar is immoral, and its shocking that it is not illegal.

The way ads are put on duckduckgo, based on your search terms, or the way companies sponsor creators is great, that's the way advertising should be, and Iwant to support that.

But if you are going to be a creepy company (Google, Meta, ...) who wants to unconsensually track and profile me when my browser explicitly includes do not track requests, in order to manipulate my beliefs of purchasing habitats. As somebody who is aware of the problem, not using a tracker blocker like privacy badger would be wrong and immortal, because by allowing them to make money though abusing me, i would be supporting and aiding them in the evil they engage in.

Use a tracker blocker, don't help google be evil, and don't support anyone who demonizes you for refusing to support modern evil for their personal gain.

to block ads

I've never used them.

If I like an app or site, but the ads are annoying me, I do one of these:

• If there's an option to pay the creator/aggregator to eliminate the ads, and the cost/benefit is worth it, I'll pay.

• If there is no option to pay, but the app/content is worth the ads annoyance, I'll keep using the app/site and watch/skip/ignore the ads.

• If there is no option to pay, or there is, but the price is higher than what I perceive as the app/content value, I'll stop using the app/site.

For example, I paid for Baconreader Premium, but I watch YouTube ads, and I removed several sites from my google home page feed because they had more ads than content.

I'm also stop using Reddit, as I don't think it's worth enduring their obnoxious native app.

And no, I don't use pirated software, nor watch or listen to pirated movies or music. If something is priced above what I consider it's worth, I just don't use it.

Yes, Baconreader Premium could be consider as a "reddit ad blocker", but it operated within Reddit's approval. Now Reddit changed their rules, and it's their rules.