Asking about the value of ads is like asking what value I derive from buying gasoline at the petrol station. None. I derive no value from it, I just spend money there. If given the option between having to buy gas and not having to buy gas, all else being equal, I would never take the first option.

But I do derive value from owning a car. (Whether a better world exists where my and everyone else's life would be better if I didn't is a definitely a valid conversation to have.)

The user doesn't derive value from ads, the user derives value from the content on which the ads are served next to.

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antonvs 7 hours ago | parent [-]

> what value I derive from buying gasoline at the petrol station. None. I derive no value from it, I just spend money there.

The value you derive is the ability to make your car move. If you derived no value from gas, why would you spend money on it?

	▲	vkou 6 hours ago \| parent [-]
		And likewise, presumably the users are getting something they want in exchange for having ads blasted at them. If they just wanted ads blasted at them, and nothing else, they'd be doing something else, like, say, watching cable TV.