[candiodari]

Most of the stuff in there doesn't even apply to Google. I think Google is just about the most "pull only" advertisement company I can name of the top of my head. Certainly compared to local companies here they're saints.

Also: you don't consider the need for new companies to get initial attraction for a new (or better/different version of X) product. How would you have that happen without advertising?

[TeMPOraL]

Google ads aren't really pull - they insert themselves into search query. You didn't ask for these ads to be there.

(A simple switch saying "include ads relevant to the query" would change this to "pull" mode in my books, as long as I could enable or disable it permanently for my session/account.)

Still, in context of this discussion, I meant to focus on the websites whose content Google reproduces in search results. These sites are the players that opted for an ad-funded business model, which is the source of this whole kerfuffle. Having an answer to my question being provided directly in response to query is a feature and great UX for me as a user. Websites want to restrict this not because they want to offer me value, but because they want to monetize my eyeballs. Sites with alternative business models wouldn't have a problem with Google reproducing content, and perhaps could reach an agreement in which they feed Google content on purpose, in exchange for some payment. Less websites and more data sources would be a good thing.

> Also: you don't consider the need for new companies to get initial attraction for a new (or better/different version of X) product. How would you have that happen without advertising?

Perhaps I need to update my article with some thoughts on that. The TL;DR: of my position on this topic is: if everyone shouts through megaphones at everyone else, you need your own megaphone to be heard. Take away everyone's megaphones, and maybe we can all have an actual conversation.

[candiodari]

> (A simple switch saying "include ads relevant to the query" would change this to "pull" mode in my books, as long as I could enable or disable it permanently for my session/account.)

I must say, occasionally I do actually use an ad in Google search. They can be useful. Not that often, sure, but still. Not zero. They have something to do with what I'm trying to use Google for.

They're not random attention whore ads like, say, newspaper sites have. No big, moving, brightly colored "CONTEST! PARTICIPATE!" ad, none for getting a fitness subscription and no attempt to sell me wine.

But you're right that they aren't "pull" in an absolute sense. I guess I still think they were closer to "pull" ads than pretty much any other website I use. And if the whole web would do ads Google style, I'd be very happy and consider that a big improvement.