So, I am perusing my social media and come across a video that seems interesting. I click on it, and it is intriguing. I get into the storyline and then wham a video ad starts to run. The text on the screen tells me my video will restart after the ad.
Would you be inclined to appreciate the advertiser, or the product/service being hawked to you? If you are like me, I develop an instant dislike and objection to the interference.
First, it was banner ads that nobody paid any attention to, then the pop-up ads and notifications that use your browsing to target you. Go ahead shop for something and watch how many related ads follow you online. With Artifical Intelligence especially if you have an Alexa product merely talking about going to the Caribbean on vacation within earshot of the device you will start to see vacation deal offers by the hundreds. Okay so we accepted all of that, but these video ad inserts are a bit much.
My reaction is let me alone and let me enjoy my stuff without being interrupted. It reminds me of sitting at home watching a good show or movie and my companion chooses to attempt a conversation that is totally disconnected to what is going on on the screen. After one or two of those, it is like chalk on a blackboard. Ignoring the interruption is a natural reflex.
The online advertising world has reached a fever pitch. There are so many pop-up ads on some sites that the content is obscured. Frustration sets in and I click goodbye.
Would you appreciate a flyer stuck to the windshield of your car? Of course not.
We all understand that we are not in control of the content aimed at us to any great extent. Ad blockers are no longer effective when the sender identifies you are utilizing a blocker that will not allow their ads (their own or third party’s). So, what to do. Grin and bear it? Stay off social media?
I don’t know the answer, but I have developed a really quick mouse click to get rid of the intrusions.
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