Why Web Designers Should Not Use Ad Blockers

For as much good content as Smashing Magazine has, there is an equal share of brain-dead layout going on. I understand the need to monetize a website, but at some point, content providers are going to have to learn a little bit about economics. The solution to plummeting advertising rates isn't to increase the supply of advertising space. That's exactly the opposite of what they should be doing.

As an advertiser, I wouldn't even begin to consider advertising on Smashing's blogs. There are ten items (if you include their book, twitter, and Facebook plugs) on that page competing for my attention before I get to any content. The task-focus for someone viewing that page is to find the content. It's a horrible game to foist upon your readership.

If anyone is clicking those ads, it's either by accident, or because they're thinking to themselves, "Ok, obviously Smashing is hard up here, otherwise there wouldn't be 7 ads and 3 plugs."