doug said

I used to use Ulaa Browser, which included built-in ad blocking, but ran into some website compatibility issues blocking tracking cookies and ads.

I may eventually migrate to Zen Browser and/or Arc, but for now, am using native Chrome.

I'd rather avoid using an ad blocker, but if sites continue to utilize invasive ad techniques, that may not be an option.  

Try Brave browser, no pop ups and no need for separate ad blocker. I've been using it for years. If a site doesn't work because of the ad blockers I will use my backup browser, either Chrome or Safari , depending on which computer I'm on.

RetirEd said
Hmm... I haven't seen anything like that on my Linux box, custom built, using current Firefox. But I do have Google, YouTube, Facebook and TwitteX social media blights blocked in my router. (Pronounced roo-ter in Canada!) I do see ads on this site normally.  

I used to use Ulaa Browser, which included built-in ad blocking, but ran into some website compatibility issues blocking tracking cookies and ads.

I may eventually migrate to Zen Browser and/or Arc, but for now, am using native Chrome.

I'd rather avoid using an ad blocker, but if sites continue to utilize invasive ad techniques, that may not be an option.

I like the idea of donating all of the revenues, or at least the revenues in excess of the costs, perhaps to an endowment fund with the Vancouver Foundation. Periodic community polls could decide where to give the proceeds, such as food banks, libraries, housing agencies for the unhoused, art galleries and museums, and the like.

However, I will say that the "drawer ads" are most annoying. Could the default state not be set to collapsed, and shown when expanded?

The other type of ad is the sponsored site search results. Could you please add either (a) a border around each sponsored search result, (b) a shaded colour background area, or (c) both, to make it more clear what is an actual search result and what is paid placement?

Cheers,
Doug

- Presidents Choice World Elite Master Card - 3% on groceries at Loblaws chains and Costco (CIBC/Costco Master Card below is only 1%).

- CIBC Costco Master Card - 2% cash back on gas annually paid.

- TD First Class Travel - for sign up perks plus, 225 TD points=$1 on travel, 400 TD points=$1 on everything else. First year annual fee waved and no annual fee at all if you maintain $6k in an all inclusive account.

-TD US$ Visa for convenience when using American funds

-Wise card for FX

When I first launched the updated design of the site, I noticed that the ads that come up from the bottom of the screen (what I call "drawer ads" because you can collapse them back down) were seemingly more in your face than before. They are especially annoying on a mobile device. I disabled them. I noticed recently that they have come back. The reason why they came back (without my involvement) is that Google automatically runs experiments (which I allow as a general ad setting but don't really pay attention to or notice unless the ads are egregious) -- looks like they included those bottom of screen ads in an experiment. Google calls these "anchor ads". Although I didn't turn them on, I also have consciously not turned them off.

I also see these blue rectangles on the right, which I had not noticed before until I came to the site to read this post today. They are also part of another Google "experiment" that just started today. I've just turned them off. I don't like how they look like actual site content.

Several people have openly announced that they use ad blockers on this site, and that's everybody's free choice to make. My challenge is how to optimize the ad revenue without wrecking the user experience.

So why am I keeping the "anchor/drawer ads" for now? For one, at least they clearly look like ads. But more importantly: I've thought about turning off all ads several times this year, but so far, every time I come around to the idea of donating the money (a few thousand dollars) instead. I've been toying with the idea of making a forum post before the end of the year to announce this decision, but also to perhaps solicit suggestions on where to donate it. But I need to find the right way to word it so that the focus remains on doing something good with the ad money.

They look like Google Ads and links being aggressively injected into the pages of this site, including people's posts!

Only this site. Could be a recent misconfiguration of this site.

JenE said
I have an iPad. I’ve searched my apps and can’t see Gemini. I’ve opened Google app and can’t see anything there either.

The other pop ups are advertising and have become constant.  

Do you use Chrome as your browser on that iPad?

The other pop ups are advertising and have become constant.

(I tried to copy and paste but it won’t work. What I’m seeing are blue rectangles saying “online banking comparison”, and white rectangles saying “High yield savings accounts”. In both rectangles there is a tiny box which, when pressed, takes one to a lengthy explanation).

I also saw “Gemini produced, or words to that effect.

I’m also getting drop downs, and ups, constantly. Quite annoying.