Zero per cent of app users are running ad blockers
Not to take away from his point, but… Pi-Hole.
I agree that pi-hole is an option here, but yeah, the reality is that most daily users don’t even know what it is. At least, not yet.
Adblock Plus and it’s betters became ubiquitous in large part because they were so incredibly easy to install. As easy as gramma accidentally installing yet another yahoo toolbar on accident. Like, too easy.
Pi-Hole isn’t hard to install, and there are some fantastic guides to help users get it running with essentially zero prior knowledge. But in my opinion, I think until it gets closer to “push-button” easiness, pi-hole and systems like it will really be limited to the <5% of users motivated enough to go through the steps, who aren’t mortified of logging into their router’s admin page. I want us to get there faster, and we’re a hell of a lot closer than 10 or even 5 years ago. But we’re not quite there yet.
Edit-typo
Closest thing to “push-button”, are probably VPNs with a built-in ad blocker… which might as well be a pihole. Not sure what % of people use those.
Another way is through DNS (eg. noads.libredns.gr).
This looks really cool! Any downsides/dangers to this? 🤔
The main downside is that there is a lot less customization of filters short of using a different DNS. There is also the potential for logging DNS (present with normal DNS servers as well). LibreOps claims they don’t log requests, and personally I don’t think they have much reason to lie, but there is still that element of trust. Many of the more well known DNS servers don’t offer ad blocking DNS, so you’ll most likely be switching to a different provider.
Thank you for the insights! 👍
I use AdAway to modify the host file on my Android phone. I literally can’t load ad content; sometimes it gets in the way since the ad is the easiest way to get to what I want to click occasionally, lol.
Also, the Vanced app can modify apps to eliminate ads. Or X-Manager for Spotify does a similar thing.
Then there are alternative front-end apps, like NewPipe/LibreTube for YouTube, Xtra for Twitch, and others.
Or there is just straight piracy to avoid the ads, but in their own apps. Stremio + Torrentio + a Debrid service is basically a pirate Netflix app with full control of your stream quality.
Regardless, I think his point mostly stands; it’s a very small percentage of users modifying apps to avoid ads or telemetry.
