ads
Latest
Windows 11 now comes with its own adware
It used to be that you could pay for a retail version of Windows 11 and expect it to be ad-free, but those days are apparently finito.
YouTube prevents ad-blocking mobile apps from accessing its videos
The Google-owned video platform has announced that it's "strengthening [its] enforcement on third-party apps that violate" its Terms of Service, "specifically ad-blocking apps."
Microsoft's Windows 11 beta testers may start seeing ads in the Start menu
Microsoft is exploring the idea of putting ads in your Windows 11 Start menu.
Roku looks into serving you ads on whatever you plug into its TVs
Roku has filed a patent to be able to serve you ads even though you're watching a show or playing a game through a third-party streaming device or console.
Whoops! Amazon served costly ads for products people couldn't actually buy
An Amazon sold said he was charged up to $300,000 for ads served to customers who can't even purchase his items.
Google is laying off hundreds of workers who sell ads to big businesses
Google’s latest cuts continue the trend of layoffs at tech companies, which shed thousands of jobs in 2023.
YouTube will now let breastfeeding and twerking videos be monetized
YouTube videos that feature breastfeeding content can now earn money on the platform, so long as they meet a certain set of criteria.
Meta will mark political and social ads altered by AI starting next year
Meta will require advertisers to disclose whether the ads they submit for its websites have been digitally altered, including through the use of AI tools, if they're political or social in nature.
Netflix's ad-supported plan will soon allow downloads and reward binge-watching
The updates come one year after the tier launched.
YouTube is cracking down on ad blockers globally
YouTube has "launched a global effort" to prevent users from using ad blockers.
Facebook and Instagram will start offering ad-free plans in Europe in November
Facebook and Instagram users in Europe will soon be able to pay for an ad-free experience on both platforms. Depending on how you sign up, the plan starts at €10 per month.
YouTube's ad-free Premium Lite tier is going away
After October 25, YouTube users paying for Premium Lite will have to pay for the more expensive full-fledged Premium tier if they don't want to see ads in their videos without resorting to ad blockers.
Amazon's Prime Video will show ads unless you pay $3 more per month
Prime Video users will soon see ads on shows and movies unless they pay an extra $2.99 per month on top of their regular Prime subscription.
Google settles California lawsuit over its location-privacy practices
Google will pay $93 million in a settlement it reached with the California Attorney General over claims the tech giant illegally collects consumer data relevant to a user's location without consent.
YouTube is testing fewer, longer ad breaks on its TV apps
YouTube is experimenting with having longer ad breaks but fewer of them on its TV apps. You may also see exactly how long you have to wait until you can skip ads.
Spotify reportedly locks white noise podcasters out of an ad program
Spotify will reportedly stop paying white noise podcasts to read ads for its products. The move will impact podcasters' earnings and boost the company's bottom line.
Meta approved hate-filled Facebook ads that called for violence in Europe
Meta is again facing allegations it’s not doing enough to prevent the spread of hate speech and violent content in Facebook ads.
TikTok search results are about to get infested with ads
TikTok is integrated ads into search results, so you’ll get branded content every time you look for a hashtag, a specific user or anything else. These ads are pulled from sponsored videos hosted on the platform and exist as a way to “further power brand discovery.” Clicking on an ad doesn’t interrupt the search experience, as the feed remains static as you peruse.
YouTube test threatens to block viewers if they continue using ad blockers
YouTube is testing a more aggressive approach when it comes to getting viewers to disable their ad blockers.
Google refutes claims it violated its own guidelines and misled advertisers
Google has denied "extremely inaccurate claims" that it may have violated its own rules and misled advertisers over ad viewership on third-party websites.
