How do you deal with ad-block?

(written by BirdOPrey5)

I estimate at least a third of my users use “ad-block” software for their browsers… some have noted they specifically white-list my forum but obviously the vast majority of users who do use it never will.

Over the years I found some JavaScript code that can detect the ad-block software (so long as they don’t couple it with script-blocking too.) If you visit my site as an unregistered/not-logged-in user and attempt to view a thread you will get a pop-up alert box saying ad-block has been detected and please turn it off… however I wouldn’t dare do this to registered users.

Just curious how other people deal with ad-block, if it all.

This entry was posted in Advanced AdSense Publishers and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

7 Responses to How do you deal with ad-block?

  1. JamesColin says:
    Hi, I choose to toally ignore this problem as long as ad block is not implemented by default in browsers.

    Ignoring the problem allows me not to worry a second about it.

    Now if there was an easy solution, even the javascript you have, I would without a problem use a javascript redirect to send all ad block users to a page saying they can die as far as I'm concerned.

    But I don't want to spend any time researching this solution yet. Even if they can also disable javascript to null this solution, I would put it nonetheless.

    My particularity is that I try to focus on non technical audience, so they wouldn't have ad block activated. But I have some sites with advanced users, the ones producing the content for me, in that case I would send them to a page saying they should put my site in the ad block whitelist if they want to continue using it.

    But as I said I didn't do it, because in all honesty I don't care about this problem yet, I earn more than enough with adsense, and I don't think those using ad blocker now would be ad clicker anyway, even without ad blocker.

    If ad blocker starts to be a default setting of popular browsers, then I'll have to be proactive about it!
  2. admin says:
    I think if someone is using ad-block software they wont click on Ads anyways so why bother?

    I have the luck to target a niche where all users are not tech savvy so 95% of them don't use Ad block software.

    I spend a lot of though about this problem years ago.

    One Idea of mine was to put all Ads in a div with a background image that says that this site is free because of the Ads displayed.

    And if all users would block Ads I have to charge them for our service.

    Users without Ad-Block would see the Ads and users using an Ad-Block software would see the image.

    It is much easier then using javascript and works for all users even those who disables js.

    However like I said before, users who decided to block Ads are most likely not clicking on your Ads anyways so why bother?

    admin
  3. BirdOPrey5 says:
    The DIV background images is a nifty option/solution- thanks.
  4. BirdOPrey5 says:
    Hmmm... it appears Ad Block in Firefox will block this trick from working too... It won't show my DIV at all... in Chrome with ad-block it works fine though. I also tried a table instead of a DIV, same problem.
  5. admin says:
    I would not waist my time on this.

    I use Ad-Block too and I would never deactivate it just because a website I am visiting tells me to ;)

    Another approach would be, if it would be possible to detect an Ad-Block script (which I am not sure), to completely deny access to your website as long as it is enabled.
  6. BirdOPrey5 says:
    Well I ended up using a combo of your idea and what I originally had... using ad-block for firefox will actually be more annoying then nothing at all- that is all the time I'm going to invest in this.

    Now there are 3 possibilities when viewing my site:

    1. User doesn't use adblock, everything is displayed as normal (adsense blocks the background image).

    2. User uses regular adblock - Adsense is blocked but background image shows asking user to please disable adblock.

    3. User uses adblock plus for firefox- Both ad and backup image are blocked but my javascript code detects this and pops up an alert window explaining the situation.
  7. admin says:
    Let us know if you notices any increase in Earnings or increase in Bounce rate.

    Would be an interesting case study.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*