AdBlock.org

There’s lots of discussion here on Adblock about why people block ads. For the majority, it’s that advertisers have ruined the Internet experience with their advertising — too much and too agressive. I’ve received suggestions that if webmasters need to make money, don’t rely on advertising but instead find alternative methods for monetizing their websites.

I’m offering you a way to view this site without ads. In exchange, I ask you to consider making a donation. (Donations will go to a charity.)

Put your money where your mouth is. Make a statement that webmasters CAN offer alternative ways for generating revenue than advertising and make a donation. Anything. I’ll post a running tally of donations made (no names, just amounts.)

Step 1: Donate

donate something and then turn off ads with a clear conscience.

Note: After doing so, it’s not automatic. Use the links below to turn off ads.

Step 2: OK, Now How Do I Turn off Ads?

We’re relying on the honor system here. There’s really no sense in doing any more, since, if you want, you can block ads with ad blocking software. So go ahead and turn off ads knowing that you’ve made a donation (or that you could have).

This will set a cookie on your browser for 90 days. After that point, you can come back here and reset it (whether you make another donation is up to you.)

To turn ads off, click here: Don’t Show Ads on Adblock.org
To turn ads on, click here: Show Ads
(javascript and cookies required.)

How does it work?

Turning ads off relies on Javascript and cookies. If you don’t have an up-to-date, standards compliant browser, with cookies and javascript enabled, this won’t work.

If these buttons make the test ad appear and disappear, then it will work for you.

“C’mon, You Expect Me to Pay For Accessing This Silly Blog?”

Actually, no I don’t. I realize that you’re probably here because you were looking for ad blocking software in the first place. And otherwise, your life will not be any different with or without it. Thanks for reading, however. I hope you’ve gained some perspective that’s worth something.

This is a test of an idea and a concept that could be applied elsewhere. The goal is to test a viable alternative to advertisements and giving users options to turn them off in a way that also supports website owners who deserve support. Broad and blind adblocking robs them of this support.

However, if you decide not to donate, since I’ve given you an alternative way to disable ads without harming me, it would be only fair that you add adblock.org to your adblock whitelist. Right?

All proceeds from donations will be donated to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute / Jimmy Fund. I’ll be posting a tally of donations I receive.

How Do I Put This On My Website?

I’ve provided necessary HTML and Javascript here: Use This Adblocking Script.

That is afterall the best way this issue can become more well understood, if it’s more visible. So please do. Please let us know if you use it and get added to the list of sites offering Voluntary Adblocking.