Why do you have to live through reading excellent articles like this, and have to see ads on it? I put them there to make a few pennies, but if you have Ad Blockers, they go away. I don’t block folks who use an Ad Blocker, so go out and get one.
If you had an ad blocker, you would only see two line separators in the following paragraph. If you don’t, you get to see an AdSense ad.
How to use an Ad Blocker?
I use Pi-Hole, a basic ad blocker which works quite well. I bought a Pi-Zero W, and followed the simple instructions on the pi-hole site. For me, it was simple; for some folks, that is a bit too much. Don’t fret you can subscribe to ad blocker add-ons for your browser. You can also configure your home router to use an Ad Blocker DNS configuration. Lots of ways to cut down on the ads for “Old Guys to get blasted abs” and such.
The downside of an Ad Blocker (aside from not earning pennies) is that many sites now block access if you use one. My opinion? Meh! There are ways around that as well, but you can look those up yourself. Also, if you need revenue to keep your site up, implement a paywall and be done with it.
But you run Ads, why Ad-Blockers
I had aspirations of making big money on publishing on the web. I have been at it for 21 years, and I can assure you, I am not making it big. You might be the exception, but I certainly was not. I have had fun spewing my concepts and ideas, but I have lost money on all of this.
Why blockers? You should really have an exemplary configuration to stop malware and antivirus software too. Ads carry a surprising number of nasty things, so cutting them out is a good thing too.
I am about to retire from my actual job, so I may end up writing more, but we shall see. No promises. I am using AI, but mostly to make inane cartoons for my writings.
Hopefully, a middle ground is emerging: lighter ads, ethical ad networks, and direct reader support through subscriptions or donations. Sites that adapt tend to survive. Sites that declare war on readers… usually don’t.
Old-school bloggers joke that ad revenue is “beer money at best, coffee money if you’re lucky.” Anyone claiming otherwise is either selling a course or lying through their affiliate links.
Red flags:
- Sites claiming ad blockers are “stealing” content
- Forced ad unblock walls with no alternative
- Ads served through shady third-party networks
FAQ
What is an ad blocker?
An ad blocker removes advertisements, trackers, and, in some cases, malware domains from websites you visit.
Is Pi-hole better than browser ad blockers?
Pi-hole blocks ads at the network level, while browser blockers work per device. Both are effective.
Do ad blockers break websites?
Sometimes. Some sites block access or load poorly, but many still work fine.
Are ad blockers legal in Canada?
Yes. Using an ad blocker is entirely legal.
Why do some sites block ad blocker users?
Because ads fund hosting, writers, and infrastructure. Not everyone can afford to give them away.