Html Ad Blocker Blocker: Improving User Experience and Ad Revenue

Author

Reads 1.3K

Shot of Computer Screen with Multicoloured Code
Credit: pexels.com, Shot of Computer Screen with Multicoloured Code

The Html Ad Blocker Blocker is a game-changer for websites looking to improve user experience and boost ad revenue. By blocking ad blockers, websites can ensure that their ads are being seen and clicked on.

According to a study, 25% of users have ad blockers enabled, which can result in a significant loss of revenue for websites. This is a major concern for publishers who rely on advertising to fund their content.

Websites can use the Html Ad Blocker Blocker to detect and prevent ad blockers from interfering with their ads. This can be achieved through the use of JavaScript-based detection methods, which can identify and block ad blockers in real-time.

By blocking ad blockers, websites can increase their ad revenue by up to 20% and improve user engagement by up to 15%. This is because users are more likely to see and interact with ads when they are not being blocked.

For another approach, see: Html and Css Are Both Part of a Websites

Why Blockers Matter

Credit: youtube.com, They’re Banning Ad Blockers Now?

Ad blockers are a significant concern for publishers and advertisers. Ad monetization relies on ads being shown and tracked, and ad blockers prevent both from loading.

Ad blockers can affect not just programmatic ads, but also internal promotions and custom native advertising platforms. This means you'd make no ad revenue for that user's session.

Ad block usage rates vary, but GlobalWebIndex put it at 35-40% across every continent in 2019.

Types of Blockers

There are several types of blockers that can be used to block ads on the web.

One type of blocker is the browser extension blocker, which can be installed in popular browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

Another type of blocker is the DNS blocker, which works by redirecting DNS queries to a server that blocks ads.

Some blockers also use a technique called "filtering" to block ads, which involves checking the content of a webpage against a list of known ad URLs.

The most effective blockers are often those that use a combination of techniques to block ads.

Recommended read: DNS Rebinding

Browser Extensions (Chrome, Edge/IE, Firefox)

Credit: youtube.com, 9 Cool Chrome (And Firefox) Extensions - You NEED to Check Out!

Browser Extensions (Chrome, Edge/IE, Firefox) are a major way users block ads on their desktops. The three biggest ad blockers in the desktop space are AdBlock Plus, AdBlock, and uBlock Origin, accounting for about 80% of ad blockers.

These three giants have massive download counts, with AdBlock Plus, AdBlock, and uBlock Origin each having over 10 million downloads on Google Chrome alone. AdGuard, Ultra AdBlock, and Ghostery also have significant download counts, but nowhere near the level of the top three.

To give you an idea of the scale, here are the download counts for these ad blockers on Google Chrome:

  • AdBlock Plus (by eyeo) - 10MM+
  • AdBlock (by GetAdBlock.com) - 10MM+
  • uBlock Origin - 10MM+
  • AdGuard - 6MM+
  • Ultra AdBlock - 3MM+
  • Ghostery - 2MM+

As most ad blockers behave similarly, it's not particularly important which one your users use - just that they do use one.

Built-in Browser Blockers (Opera, Brave)

Built-in browser blockers like Opera and Brave have made it easier for users to block ads. These browsers account for about 2% of browser share and have built-in ad blockers.

Credit: youtube.com, Brave Browser Review 2025: Best Built-in Ad Blocker & Privacy Features

Opera uses EasyList by default, while Brave is a proprietary list. I found that these built-in blockers worked well for the HTTPS request blocking method, but the native ads on Google, Twitter, Amazon, and others appeared.

It’s possible that these built-in blockers don’t employ the CSS element hiding strategy. Google Chrome has a built-in ad blocker, its Better Ads Standard initiative, released to global markets in July 2019.

Here's how Chrome's built-in ad blocker works:

  1. Google first grades a site on its overall ad experiences, looking specifically for universally-hated ad units like pop-ups, autoplay ads, and sticky ads (versus standard banner ads)
  2. If a site gets a failing grade, then moving forward Chrome automatically blocks ads on that page for any visitor, using EasyList

Due to this implementation, it’s estimated only 1% of publishers were impacted by Chrome's built-in blocker.

Workarounds and Solutions

You can replace ads with internal promotions that upsell paid products, like NYTimes.com substituting programmatic ads with promotions for their paid Crossword and Recipe add-ons.

The most straightforward alternative is to offer an ad-free membership plan that users can subscribe to, as an alternative to viewing ads.

If you're willing to get creative, you can also use ads to promote your email mailing list, social follow, or app download, making it a win-win for both you and your users.

You might enjoy: Html Tag B

Run Locally

Email Blocks on Gray Surface
Credit: pexels.com, Email Blocks on Gray Surface

Running your website locally with an ad blocker can help you identify potential issues. Over 25% of internet users use an ad blocker, so it's essential to test your site with one.

I recommend using uBlock Origin on Chrome and Firefox, which is a popular choice. The default "EasyList" filter list is a good starting point, as it's the most commonly used.

If you want to test your site with a more aggressive ad blocker, try enabling "Fanboy's Enhanced Tracking List". However, be aware that this list can break many websites.

Front-end error monitoring can also help expose issues with ad blockers, as they may behave differently than your users' blockers. Understanding real-user behavior will help you identify user-impacting bugs.

Native Ad Servers: CSS Workarounds for Server-Side Ads

Native Ad Servers can be finicky, but there are some CSS workarounds that can help you display server-side ads.

The most common issue is with ad containers not being able to be targeted by CSS selectors, due to their dynamic nature.

Credit: youtube.com, AdEase - Switch Media - Server-Side Ad Insertion

One workaround is to use JavaScript to dynamically create the ad container's class, allowing you to target it with a CSS selector.

For example, you can use a script to add a class to the ad container, like "ad-container", and then target it with CSS using ".ad-container { ... }".

Another issue is with ad scripts not being able to be loaded before the ad container is rendered, which can cause ads to not display properly.

To fix this, you can use a technique called "CSS loading" to load the ad script before the ad container is rendered.

For instance, you can use a script to add a CSS rule to the head of the HTML document, like "link rel='stylesheet' href='ad-script.css'".

Provide Alternative Value Exchange for Block Users

If you can't monetize ad block users with ads, consider providing an alternative value exchange. You can replace ads with internal promotions that upsell paid products, like NYTimes.com does with their paid Crossword and Recipe add-ons.

One idea is to substitute ads with promotions for your paid membership plans or email mailing lists. This way, you're still offering something valuable to your users in exchange for their attention.

For your interest: Exchange Html Signature

Close-up of an adult drinking coffee and browsing Google on a laptop indoors.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of an adult drinking coffee and browsing Google on a laptop indoors.

You can also tout your ad-free membership plan or encourage users to follow you on social media. For example, you could say, "Join our ad-free community and get exclusive content!"

The most complicated route is extensive code obfuscation, but this is a cat-and-mouse game employed by the largest ad platforms, including Etsy and Facebook.

Here are some alternative value exchange ideas:

User Experience

AdBlock makes browsing a much more enjoyable experience. Users rave about its effectiveness in blocking annoying ads.

@Quinch praises AdBlock for making YouTube ad-free, saying "Never have to skip ads on YouTube anymore." This is just one example of how AdBlock improves the user experience.

@TheresaLongo was impressed by how quickly AdBlock blocks ads, stating "Added AdBlock to Chrome and in 5 minutes it blocked 213+ ads on just 3 websites." This highlights the speed and efficiency of AdBlock.

Sites load much faster with AdBlock, as @TheresaLongo notes, "Sites load way faster now." This is a significant benefit for users.

AdBlock has been praised for its user-friendly interface, making it easy to use and effective.

Expand your knowledge: Url Redirect Adblock

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a 100% free ad blocker?

Yes, Adblock Plus is a 100% free ad blocker that offers customizable ad blocking and tracking protection. Download it to take control of your web experience and block annoying ads for free.

How to stop websites from detecting AdBlock?

Use Incognito Mode with an ad blocker like AdLock or uBlock Origin to evade ad blocker detection. This combination can help you access content without being detected

Jeannie Larson

Senior Assigning Editor

Jeannie Larson is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for compelling content. With a passion for storytelling, she has curated articles on a wide range of topics, from technology to lifestyle. Jeannie's expertise lies in assigning and editing articles that resonate with diverse audiences.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.