Hey guys,

What does everyone think of adblocking addons/plugins for browsers? I run a decent sized forum and it's come to my attention that MANY of my visitors are running such addons.

Aside from 2-3 banner spots, I charge my users NO money to use any of the community services and seeing them block ads feels like a slap in the face. Basically these users have NO CHANCE of ever giving back a single cent.

I should mention my community is very open about the fact I pay for everything out of my pocket and take a decent loss so others can have fun.

What do you guys think?

ad-blocking software can only be based on certain criteria. find out what they are, and circumvent if possible.

I think it's up to you to let your users know that you would appreciate it if they would refrain from using adblock plugins on your site but if they still do it, there's nothing more you can do.

ad-blocking software can only be based on certain criteria. find out what they are, and circumvent if possible.

I actually have scripts that could force them to disable in order to view my content but that's not my style.

I think it's up to you to let your users know that you would appreciate it if they would refrain from using adblock plugins on your site but if they still do it, there's nothing more you can do.

Yeah, I'm somewhat contemplating that... but I'm also thinking if someone goes to an extent to disable ads, what are the chances they'd actually click on one?

If you try to be totalitarian and dictate what modifications users can make to their browsers I'm sure they'll just go elsewhere.

Plus, I wouldn't take it so personally . . . it's doubtful that they installed the software just to spite you.

If you try to be totalitarian and dictate what modifications users can make to their browsers I'm sure they'll just go elsewhere.

Plus, I wouldn't take it so personally . . . it's doubtful that they installed the software just to spite you.

I agree that such tactics would likely send visitors elsewhere. I'd likely never attempt that.

As for your 2nd comment, I more meant as in disrespectful to webmasters in general. People and they're "everything on the Internet should be free" attitudes.

I actually have scripts that could force them to disable in order to view my content but that's not my style.

It seems to be the Google's style. :D When everyone was blocking javascript Google launched Gmail and lots of applications requiring ... javascript. No javascript = no Google ads.



Yeah, I'm somewhat contemplating that... but I'm also thinking if someone goes to an extent to disable ads, what are the chances they'd actually click on one?

There are some studies saying frequent visitors and forum members almost don't click ads. But if you don't show ads certainly you will get zero clicks. ;)

How about putting up a little nag at the top of the page? Make it spring into view after the page had loaded encouraging people to turn off their ad blocker, because your ads pay for your site. That way, they get a constant reminder that you're paying for them to have a site, and you might just annoy them enough to allow ads without annoying them so much that they go elsewhere.

How about putting up a little nag at the top of the page? Make it spring into view after the page had loaded encouraging people to turn off their ad blocker, because your ads pay for your site. That way, they get a constant reminder that you're paying for them to have a site, and you might just annoy them enough to allow ads without annoying them so much that they go elsewhere.

I guess this could be ground to account cancellation as many ad networks don't allow any site mention regarding the ads -- it sounds too much as "click me" just to support the site.

I guess this could be ground to account cancellation as many ad networks don't allow any site mention regarding the ads -- it sounds too much as "click me" just to support the site.Good point. It would needed to be worded very carefully and in compliance with the TOS for networks you're using. I have to believe there's some way to get the message across without breaking the rules though.

Very interesting concept pm, I really like that idea. I'd actually go as far to run my "wording" past Google first.

Thanks all.

I guess the use of ad-blocking software is not widespread in the Internet so I think few users of this kind of software would disable it just to access a site - what do you think and do when you see a site displaying "best viewed at xxx resolution?".

One point to consider is maybe these non ad viewers do not mind at all. From my experience with Google AdSense, it seems AdSense uses a sophisticated algorithm to place ads trying to keep the click percentage constant as moving average revenue. If there is an increase in site visitors I saw the same 2% clicks yet the ad revenue doesn't increases in the same proportion as traffic. If there is a sudden increase in ad revenue, during the rest o month it seems it is adjusted to give ~ the same revenue of the month before.

it's no different to people changing channel or leaving the room during an ad-break on TV.

if a person does not want to see any ads, they are unlikely to click on them anyways, the site should therefore gear its pricing for ad spots towards lower impressions & and a better click-through/conversion rate, as the people that the ads do get displayed to, have a higher chance/rate of clicking than those that now block all ads would have done had they not specifically blocked them.

Hey guys,
What does everyone think of adblocking addons/plugins for browsers? I run a decent sized forum and it's come to my attention that MANY of my visitors are running such addons.

Running a network of sites myself (free forums, blogs, etc), I have developed a script to test for certain ad properties in the browser, snd redirect the user if they don't want to see the ad.
Essentially, this is theft, nothing more. Theft of services is still theft. If the user doesn't want to see the ad, then the user can't see the site, very simple.

it's no different to people changing channel or leaving the room during an ad-break on TV.
Actually, it's a LOT different than that. Television advertisements take over the television for a specific period of time, while properly placed advertisements on websites will not interfere with anything at all, or take over anything at all.

My first thought is that if they're using this ad-block software, they're turned off by ads and wouldn't click through anyway.

It really depends on the advertisement. If it's well targeted, it will be something that will grab the user. If not, of course they won't click it. Either way, they don't have the right to steal services from providers.

It really depends on the advertisement. If it's well targeted, it will be something that will grab the user. If not, of course they won't click it. Either way, they don't have the right to steal services from providers.
I agree with you up to a point. TV advertisements pay for the shows we watch, but we're not obligated to watch those advertisements in order to watch the show. If you want to block your site to them if they block your ads, I see nothing wrong with that.

What do you guys think?

One of my clients complained about this recently, and I basically used a small javascript trick to display a message if the user is using an adblocker, asking them to please disable their adblocker while on the site (and let them know the site is ad supported). That seems to have helped some what.

How about putting up a little nag at the top of the page? Make it spring into view after the page had loaded encouraging people to turn off their ad blocker, because your ads pay for your site. That way, they get a constant reminder that you're paying for them to have a site, and you might just annoy them enough to allow ads without annoying them so much that they go elsewhere.

I'll go one step better - make that little nag a medium nag and have the site go slower for these people so they won't use so many resources. Tell them in the nag that if they enable ads the site will load faster and your experience will be improved.

Of course, if your site is popular enough you could sell your own ads directly like http://www.distrowatch.com and http://www.lyngsat.com do - that way if the user blocks the 3rd party ads at least the ads you sell directly will show up.