Weren't those ads always there, though? The most obvious change is that a little AI popup appears on Google search providing a brief (even if hallucinated) overview of what the user queried.

Unrelated, but I wouldn't expect this take on HN where I assumed everyone knew what an ad-blocker was.

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Aboutplants 5 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Yes the ads were always there but that was the most efficient way to get the content/information. That has changed and even with ad blockers, websites are no longer the most efficient way to get to that content/infomation. That is what has changed

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hypeatei 5 hours ago | parent [-]

Okay, I see what point you were trying to make. I misinterpreted your comment as saying LLMs weren't the catalyst but instead the ads were.

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glenstein 5 hours ago | parent [-]

I also read it that way. I guess the synthesis/charitable interpretation is that the negative ad experience meant it was ripe for disruption should an alternative come along.

But it raises a potential counterpoint: are there sites with non-terrible user experiences that are staying stable?

	▲	idiotsecant 4 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Wikipedia.

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vineyardmike 3 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I don’t use ad block.

I find that when it messes with the layout or formatting of a website it’s really annoying, and I consider the volume and type of ads an important signal for a website’s trustworthiness.

Oh and plenty of devices don’t have easy access to ad block, like my work computer.

	▲	JoshTriplett an hour ago \| parent \| next [-]
		> and I consider the volume and type of ads an important signal for a website’s trustworthiness You can get the former from the number showing up in the uBlock Origin icon.
	▲	pousada 3 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		I use reader mode 90% of the time, I’m really not interested in fancy layout or formatting for a website. I just want the text readable and looking exactly the same way for every website. Designers probably hate users like me.

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structural 4 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Mobile users (or other locked down devices where adblockers are forbidden) are still a decent chunk of traffic. It's much easier to just read the overview and not click through to the ad infestation, or even use a chatbot of choice as the search engine instead of going to Google, because "websites is how you get spammed with ads".

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pocksuppet 4 hours ago | parent | next [-]

> Mobile users (or other locked down devices where adblockers are forbidden)

Just say Apple. They're still allowed on Android, although I don't think you can get them from the Play Store.

	▲	vineyardmike 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Not allowed on my work computer. Which I do use the internet on. Also you can put ad block on Apple devices.

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politelemon 3 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Ublock origin is a Firefox extension that works on mobile. You don't need a dedicated app for blocking adverts.

	▲	pousada 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Not on iOS, there Firefox is actually Safari under the hood and you can’t use extensions… Haven’t found a good solution yet (other than avoiding websites with ads)