Ad Blockers are killing internet marketing... or are they?
Killing Me Softly With Those Ads
So, here we are. Ad Blockers vs Ad Lovers: Which Side You Are On? Honestly, I don't think there are ad lovers. If you say that you love ads, then with all due respect I think you aren't entirely honest. In its essence, the idea about blocking the ads is a brilliant one. When I see something like this, I like to say, damn, how come I haven't thought of it? The bitter truth is that I used to say that for Facebook and IMDB among many other things, inventions and apps. If there's no such thing as AdBlocker, we should invent it. At the same time, I'm fully aware that the marketing machinery isn't thrilled about AdBlocker. That's completely understandable. AdBlocker isn't hitting the most vulnerable spot, but the most profitable one. With no ads, Internet marketing is just like an eagle without feathers. Wait, this was really pathetic. I was supposed to say without wings, at least.
The Marketing Empire Strikes Back: Pay-to-Play
I believe that my first shock and awareness about the seriousness of this problem came with the Forbes' my-way-or-the-highway AdBlock policy. I wanted to read an article and I had no other choice than to pause my AdBlocker or sign using my Facebook account. I guess, this was only the beginning. Is it just me, or more and more websites are still trying to figure out the true meaning of the so-called native advertising? They're trying to play this game, here's a text, it isn't advertising, at least isn't so obvious, but we're selling something. It's ridiculous. It's obvious. They should've known better.
I mean at the end of the long cyber-day, we the users, get hurt, this way or another. Either I have to pay with my money or with my privacy. If you want to live in the world free of ads, then prepare yourself to support a luxury style of life. Ads-free life is an expensive hobby. It's just like I have to sacrifice something each time I want to do or see something online. It's more than obvious that the marketers are furious about AdBlockers. On the other hand, I read somewhere that the number of AdBlockers is rapidly growing. We're talking about hundreds of millions of users from all over the world. I just have every reason to believe that we can get caught in the crossfire between...
AdBlockers and Internet Marketing Shockers
One of my marketer friends is a helpless optimist. He was something like, marketing is like water, the ads will always find the way to reach the surface. This is such a cliché thing to say, isn't it? No, my friend, Internet marketers are so angry (there's a better expression, but I hesitate using it here), they'll hit back in the most unimaginable way. Ads will begin to use a completely new stealth mode. They will find new ways to jump right into our face. We will miss the good old times.
So, what should I do? I need to pause or remove my AdBlocker, so I can contribute to the world peace and marketing industry profit? Or, I need to be painfully honest to my good old marketing. Look marketing, I'm in love with you, but I can't stand your annoying kids - ads. Why I have to be the judge in this clash of titans? Wait, I just reminded myself of a lovely quote. When elephants are fighting, it is the grass and/or the ants that get hurt. Right? I'm already hurt. Maybe, I was both blind and naïve. What's the harm? I love surfing without ads and the marketing industry will find a way to make money somewhere else. Seriously?
Let's Make Money Not War
You want better AdBlock protection - pay. You want the full access to our website - pay. The introduction of the AdBlock option has simply eliminated the very possibility of a win-win scenario. I don't believe in fairy tales. Somewhere out there is a prince charming, who will invent an app or some solution that will allow AdBlockers and Internet Marketers to live happily ever after - together. This is a war. It's brutal. Either will AdBlock disappear, or Internet Marketing will have to completely transform itself. I simply don't see the third option. And yet, I wear glasses, so what do I know?
The clock is ticking. Every single second of AdBlock's activity is an eternity for marketers. You could've done and earned so much, but those AdBlockers ruined your perfect marketing day. What I'm supposed to do? While you guys are arguing I should go back to my cave with no Internet and marketing. You know - enjoy and master the silence. If I can find a way to come up with an app, which "eliminates" AdBlocker, then I could buy myself a yacht. Yet, that would mean I betrayed my fellow users. I could invent a new version of AdBlocker, but that would mean I just betrayed my marketing brothers. You know, just like Nicolas Cage in the Lord of War. Selling arms to both sides. Not ethical, but definitely profitable.
Guess, I will hide behind a mask of hypocrisy. I won't remove my AdBlocker and I will continue to feel sorry for Internet marketers. I think that my tobacco-industry-cousin has a less risky choice. I feel that my AdBlocker may change the history of Internet Marketing. This is definitely not a healthy thought, but I can't help myself. The biggest marketing shock - AdBlock, indeed.
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