Annoying Pop-Up Ads Are Back, With a Vengeance

by Terrence O'Brien on February 8, 2009 at 01:01 PM

Return of the Revenge of the Attack of the Pop-Ups Ad

You thought the days of the pop-up ads were over didn't you? You thought, "I got my fancy browser with the built in pop up blocker. I got me Google Toolbar and it's got a pop up blocker too." What more could you need?

Well, in case you haven't noticed, pop-ups are coming back worse than before, and one of the companies responsible is Adimpact. The business makes software specially designed to feed pop-ups to Web sites using technology that modern pop-up blocking techniques can't stop. The company primarily uses DHTML, or dynamic HTML, the same technique used to create mouse-over animations and drop down menus on other Web sites.

We hope someone will figure out a way to stop the Adimpact madness before it spreads to any more sites (current high-profile accounts include IMDB) and returns us to the online hell that was the '90s. [From: Den of Geek via Slashdot]

Related Links:

Tags: advertising, customer service, CustomerService, pop-ups, web

Comments

AnneeFeb 8th 2009 2:40PM

Neutral

I serve notice to all those who force me to see their ads by interfering with my ELECTIVE reading - NEVER would I purchase your product.

At the same time, I will say the same thing to those who think it's clever to blast my hearing with TV commercials that are 100 times louder than the programming. My solution is simple - I mute ALL commercials. Cha-ching. That's the sound of the cash drawer slamming on your fingers.

Dislike

Report

JasonFeb 8th 2009 3:18PM

Neutral

Oh, you mean the same kind of invasive advertising that AOL is now using more and more?

Dislike

Report

JasonFeb 8th 2009 3:27PM

Neutral

BTW, use Firefox web browser (always!), visit the Adimpact website, right mouse-click the example popup, and select Block Images From adimpact.com. You will block the ad images that are served from their server. :)

Dislike

Report

sfcatFeb 8th 2009 4:34PM

Neutral

One of those high impact sites is AOL, which is where I get my switched links and most of my news. While I don't mind ads in general very much, what REALLY does annoy me is how many of them make it difficult or impossible to find the close button on these new ads. I saw a Nyquil one yesterday that I swear didn't even have one. I don't like it when the ad covers the story. I also hate how sensitive they can be; clicking close has taken me to the ad website many times because the ad is one huge hotspot and the close button tends to be a very tiny hotspot!

Dislike

Report

DarkLightFeb 8th 2009 8:50PM

Neutral

Simple solution: Switch to Firefox (or Swiftfox).

Then install the Adblock Plus extension.

All ads gone. No matter what technology they use.

If you do find one ad, just add it to Adblock's blacklist and it's gone, forever.

Dislike

Report

Shadow08Feb 8th 2009 10:32PM

Neutral

Nothing is more annoying than those mouse-over ads that fill up half the screen.

But seriously, how else do you guys think websites stay in existence? They don't pay for themselves you know. People claim "well I shouldn't have to see something I don't want." Well if that's the case, leave the site and don't come back.

Dislike

Report

iEagles1536Feb 8th 2009 10:28PM

Neutral

On my mac in safari no pop ups show up

Dislike

Report

EddieFeb 9th 2009 2:58PM

Neutral

It is interesting to see everyone jump on the bandwagon without even understanding what the site is about. Even this blog title has it wrong. Adimpact are NOT "Pop-Up Ads". The Adimpact product is for website owners to announce their own promotions or to collect opt-in email addresses. Just because the word "popup" is used...it does not mean the sky is falling. The word "Ads" is not even used anywhere on the site...nor will you see any advertisements on the site.

Hmm...how many "Annoying" ads are on this page?

Dislike

Report

Add your comments

Your comments:

Remember me

E-Mail me when someone replies to this comment

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.