Comment by freebuju | Hacker News Reader

Comment by freebuju | Hacker News Reader

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> Why would they let you disable ads on their ad-supported platform?

Because they stand to gain (immensely) from building my trust about their model of advertising if I choose to participate in it. Or maybe am being too optimistic and everyone would disable ads 100% of the time given such an option? Would be an awesome experiment for Google :)

The problem with these platforms you call ad-supported, is even when you pay a subscription for premium the content creators are allowed to slot in sponsored segments which isn't exactly my definition of an ad-free experience.

> By using ad blockers, you are merely taking away from everyone else using the platform. I wish these companies did more to stop ad blockers.

Taking away what exactly? If you could be a bit more specific. Also, you are free to dream in your utopia where ad blockers don't serve a need, just don't expect everyone to follow you there.

> That's because from what you wrote, you don't seem to understand how these ad platforms work

Would be happy if you could explain where I got it wrong.

> Because they stand to gain (immensely) from building my trust about their model of advertising if I choose to participate in it.

They're not gaining out of thin air. They're making a commission on how much they are saving for the advertisers (and hence the advertisees). They're creating immense value, of which, they are taking a small commission. If they were not creating immense value, the advertisers would have no need to use them. They would continue to make their businesses big enough to buy Superbowl ads (or equivalent).

> Taking away what exactly?

By blocking the ads, other people are paying for YOUR use of these services. It's the moral equivalent of not paying taxes, although it is not illegal... yet.

> Would be happy if you could explain where I got it wrong.

For example, you think this is how ad targeting by Facebook and Google works:

> in today's standards they only serve as a way to guess-timate person X bought toothpaste B because of ad campaign Z

And you think this is true:

> ads are not a game changer to consumer behavior.

It's a complete waste of time for me to debate with someone who thinks ads don't affect consumer behavior.

> They're creating immense value, of which, they are taking a small commission. If they were not creating immense value, the advertisers would have no need to use them.

I will just leave this here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25623858

You fail to prove why my logic is wrong and answer your own questions instead, then on top of that make sure to sprinkle vague insults at me! I won't bother providing rebuttals to the rest of your arguments. You make sure you have a good day, moron!

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