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by jad 3930 days ago
I think there's almost no chance that the percentage of iOS users blocking ads is enough to meaningfully impact Wired's overall revenue from that story. Even given that ad blocking apps have been top sellers, it's still only available on iOS 9, which has been out less than a week. So surely revenue from all web users (without an ad blocker) outweigh the (presumably) tiny amount of ad revenue Wired will earn from Apple News. And even if all that were false, why would Wired alone give in so readily to what's basically bullying? It's just not a credible theory.

Way more likely is that Apple is paying them a nice chunk of cash for the exclusivity to help market their News app. Same thing they did with HBO Now for the Apple TV, and with various albums for the iTunes Store and Apple Music.
3 comments
deong 3930 days ago
My understanding of Apple News is that it has nothing to do with iOS 9 content blocking. Apple News is a dedicated app that functions somewhat like an RSS reader serving up a special Readability-style version of the content. Even if you don't install an ad-blocker in iOS 9, you still don't see banner ads and such in Apple News.

That said, I imagine you're right and Apple just paid for the exclusive for marketing purposes.

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qubex 3930 days ago
The point that is being made is that by cutting off a fraction of mobile ad revenue by allowing blockers, Apple might be seen to be cynically herding content providers towards its walled-garden platform wherein iAd is the exclusive provider of adverts, which cannot be blocked. Whether this is the true intention of their strategy or merely a coincidence is a matter of some (understandably contentious) debate.
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simonh 3930 days ago
> Even given that ad blocking apps have been top sellers, it's still only available on iOS 9, which has been out less than a week.

iOS9 penetration is already past 50%(1). New versions usually get mass adoption very quickly.

(1) http://www.macrumors.com/2015/09/21/apple-ios-9-50-percent/

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AJ007 3930 days ago
Every single user could block ads until mobile began taking over. Media companies hyping how damaging ad blockers are this past week and a half is that they have successfully created mass awareness that you may block ads.

If you are a publisher there are scripts and tools you may use to detect ad blockers. I would recommend running one.

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