The correct amount of ads is zero

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Expectations for Paid Services

  • Many argue that if you pay money, the correct number of ads is zero; paying and still seeing ads feels like “double dipping.”
  • Others note this has never been the norm: newspapers, magazines, cable TV, in‑flight entertainment and many streaming services charge and still show ads.
  • Some see “reduced ads” tiers (e.g., The Verge, Prime Video, X/Twitter, YouTube) as unacceptable; others see them as a realistic compromise that keeps prices down.
  • A recurring frustration: paid tiers often still include tracking, native ads, or sponsor segments, not just simple banners.

Ads, Tracking, and UX

  • Strong distinction between:
    • “Dumb” first‑party or contextual ads (static, on‑site, no tracking) that many would tolerate.
    • Behavioral ads with cross‑site tracking, data brokerage, and heavy JS, which most consider intolerable.
  • Users complain about intrusive formats: interstitials, autoplay video, popups, cookie walls, and “quick flash then disappear” content.
  • Some say they’d accept tasteful, relevant, static ads but block everything because the ecosystem is too toxic.

Economics and Business Models

  • One side: relying solely on subscriptions is risky; multiple revenue streams (including ads) make media sustainable and cheaper to users.
  • Counterpoint: if a product can’t survive on what willing users will pay, maybe it shouldn’t exist or should be publicly funded, not ad‑funded.
  • Advertisers prefer access to paying, higher‑income users; ad‑free tiers reduce the value of remaining inventory, making ad‑free pricing hard.
  • Free tiers can be cannibalized by ad‑supported ones or are untenable where per‑user costs (e.g., streaming bandwidth, licensing) are high.

Ethics of Adblocking and “Free” Content

  • Some see widespread adblocking as freeloading and “anti‑poor,” since ads let wealthier users subsidize free access.
  • Others argue it’s self‑defense against tracking, malware, and manipulation, and that users are not morally obliged to support ad‑based models.
  • Creators relying on ads report income collapsing as blockers spread; critics respond that the ad industry’s own excesses caused this backlash.

Alternatives and Reforms

  • Proposed alternatives:
    • Pure contextual/first‑party ads; clear “sponsored” labels; no third‑party scripts.
    • Platform‑level revenue pools (e.g., YouTube Premium, Apple News) or cross‑site subscription bundles.
    • True micropayments; skepticism that they scale, plus concerns that the payment provider becomes another data broker.
    • Public or tax‑funded journalism; stronger regulation against surveillance ads and deceptive native advertising.

Broader Critiques of Advertising

  • Several commenters see advertising as inherently manipulative and socially corrosive: creating artificial desires, reinforcing stereotypes, and warping media incentives.
  • Others are pragmatic: advertising “works whether we like it or not,” can inform about useful products, and is deeply embedded in current media economics.