> ...there is only one primary metric that matters to me: loyal readers. I don't publish for the occasional visitor.

Okay, good luck with that. I don't know how somebody becomes a “loyal reader” if they can't even read your website to begin with. Especially with how many of these subscription rags play outrageous frame games and use facts to tell lies and half truths, it's insulting enough without half the article disappearing when you scroll, or a modal prompt.

I usually just don't open links to sites that I know work like this.