ULPT: Want fewer ads while you browse? Use a VPN in Southeast Asia.
Posted by UnusualWind5@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 30 comments
As the developer and owner of a globally used high-traffic website that runs Google Ads, I’ve learned that Google assigns almost no value to traffic coming from Southeast Asia.
I earn only about $0.03 per 1,000 ad impressions there, and many ad slots stay empty because too few advertisers bid on them. No bidders = no ads.
If I VPN into Jakarta and load my site, I can actually watch the ad placeholders collapse as Google fails to fill them.
Turns out, you don't need to worry about blocking Ads when Google doesn't think you're worth showing ads to.
prexton@reddit
What's unethical about this?
UnusualWind5@reddit (OP)
Well, it's unethical because most small site owners like me depend on ads being displayed to pay for the site to be online. You can still use my site and all it has to offer, even if you block ads (or in this example, use a low value VPN origin).
On another note, the real unethical part is Google AdSense, who takes half of your earnings and why site owners have to plaster ads everywhere.
If I display 1000 ads a day @ 3 cents per 1000 ads, then it would take 3.3 million ad displays for google to pay out (at their $100 mininimum pay out threshold). That would take over 9 years. If you never meet the threshold, you never get paid.
Thats pure evil.
prexton@reddit
Great explanation..doesn't make it unethical
DuckSleazzy@reddit
or use an adblocker. ublock origin is great.
The_gaming_wisp@reddit
Do note that unlock origin is losing efficiency on chromium browsers. Use a non chromium browser for maximum adblock (I personally use Firefox)
untapped-bEnergy@reddit
Firefox been the GOAT. Been using it since Dec 23 2004. Remember finishing building my first self bought pc to play cs 1.6, explorer was alright but Firefox came with benefits. Steam, Ventrilo, and Firefox held me down.
Chromium is pure capitalism manifest disguised as a web browser.
TallCoin2000@reddit
Brave is the GOAT browser. YT ads are never longer than 10sec.
TheIronSoldier2@reddit
Firefox is more goated. YT ads don't exist
toolsavvy@reddit
fuck chrome right in the google.
untapped-bEnergy@reddit
Rick-l-Sanchez@reddit
Brave browser is very good at blocking ads even the ones on youtube.
FarmerFrance@reddit
O to, an , +* yt668y thefw us
Rick-l-Sanchez@reddit
Always in the comments
kris_deep@reddit
Hard disagree
DNKE11A@reddit
A damn fine point, my friend
FarmerFrance@reddit
I must have pocket commented but the fact that this is gaining traction is hilarious
cubicApoc@reddit
Drop a train on em, Edgar
fb39ca4@reddit
Haha yes
redthump@reddit
I don't think there's anything unethical whatsoever about ad blocking. Personally, I'm a fan of my pi-hole. Ublock is great on the go.
MARS822a@reddit
Came here to shill for Pi-Hole. You can't beat it, especially on mobile.
Maximum-Journalist74@reddit
Many years ago I changed my year of birth on Facebook to 1921 because I figured no one was marketing to that age group. It worked like a charm for a long time.
The ads eventually came back of course, and I wonder if FB will eventually decide that I've died of old age...
micahammon@reddit
YouTube shows no ads here in Madagascar
peas8carrots@reddit
Then again Reddit doesn’t work in Indonesia so I wouldn’t be using Jakarta.
PyrotechnikGeoguessr@reddit
One reason more to pick Jakarta
Narrow_Track9598@reddit
I've heard using Albania works too, as ads are illegal there or something
Jv1312@reddit
Second this.
pinetreeclimbing@reddit
On podcasts, reddit, YT. Zero ads. Love it
GapZ38@reddit
This is kinda funny, considering I am currently in SEA, and I get like 2 ads per 4-6 mins on youtube. It's all slop bullshit mobile games or softcore/actual porn AI chat bots. I legit got infuriated so I tried counting it in a couple videos. A video that is 32 mins long had 1-2 ads per 4 mins sometimes 7 minutes. Shit most of them were even unskippable. Youtube has become unusable
toolsavvy@reddit
I just use ublock origin. I rarely see ads anywhere, not even on youtube. For smartphone using the free adguard private DNS removes ads from most apps.
CopingAdult@reddit
American in Asia - specifically Jakarta - aren't you targeting me rn? Funny this shows up in my feed.
I use a selective browser and that seems to solve problems globally