There are many problems with the state of online advertising today. First of all, far too many online ads are actually fraudulent. They are either advertising dubious products, like penis enlargements pills or lose weight fast, or are click-baits for other ad-loaded pages. And of course, there is malware served along with the ads. And the remaining more or less legit ads are damn annoying.

So for me, I try very hard not to click on any online ads. It has come to the point where I consider a product dubious, if it appears in online ads - the exact contrary from what ads try to achieve.

The only way out of this I can see is, if web sites stop just using random ad networks, but get active in the selection and placement of ads on their sites. Large publications should run their ad departments - like any printed magazines and newspapers always did - and place selected ads in the content and also host them themselves. Smaller sites might require the help of ad providers to make a living, but I see them also in the responsibiltiy of selecting the ad provider to ensure only acceptable ads on their site. This might mean that some sites are not profitable any more, but far too many sites exist which are basically serving ads and no real content of their own.

To make me accept online ads again, the people doing the advertising first of all have to regain my trust.