Ads vs Paying for Content

This cluster debates user entitlement to free online content, contrasting ad-supported models with direct payments or subscriptions, and discusses creator compensation and ad-blocking.

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4,220
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#4740
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

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Keywords

LESS OK YouTube i.e content ads pay content don ad supported paying want pay don want pay ad don want

Sample Comments

paulcole Aug 27, 2022 View on HN

Ads aren’t bad. They’re a way to get content without needing to exchange money for it.The user suffer more when the content goes away.

s73v3r Oct 7, 2015 View on HN

And if you don't want ads, then pay for the content.

tommy_ Jan 4, 2013 View on HN

You are not paying for the content, you are paying for an alternate way to consume the content.

martindale Sep 18, 2013 View on HN

Why should we pay for content? Surely, there's some other model.

endisneigh Nov 4, 2023 View on HN

People want content without any inconvenience, it’s that simple.If they use ads they will block.If they ask for payment they will pirate.Luckily these people are the minority or there would be no content to begin with

FireBeyond Aug 25, 2025 View on HN

"I don't want to pay for content, and don't you dare push advertising on me. I want your content. I don't care how you have to pay to make it, that's not my problem."

paulcole Sep 25, 2019 View on HN

You’re getting something you value (video, article, etc.) in exchange for looking at ads instead of paying money. If you don’t want to look at ads, don’t look at the content. Don’t hide behind server requests and technicalities.

wutbrodo Oct 27, 2016 View on HN

If I'm understanding correctly, you're not happy with being able to pay for content and not be shown ads; you also want nobody be else to have the option of free content paid for with ad views? Why?

dathinab Sep 12, 2020 View on HN

No not good, not everyone can or want afford paying for content.You should have the freedom to choose to pay by having ads.At least as long as it's a actually free and fair choice, i.e. the non ad payments are not overpriced.

NoraCodes Aug 13, 2023 View on HN

Pay their creators not to insert ads into their content.