Ads in Free Services

The cluster discusses debates on introducing ads to free tiers of services for monetization, skepticism about companies maintaining ad-free promises especially for paid users, and the role of advertising in business models versus user experience.

➡️ Stable 0.7x Startups & Business
3,739
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#7211
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

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Keywords

ARPU e.g HN LTT OK NOT ads free ad advertising users user targeting advertisements coupons ad supported

Sample Comments

Cyclone_ Mar 23, 2019 View on HN

Seems weird I would think if they were serving ads they would not want to potentially turn away some users.

grey-area Jul 4, 2014 View on HN

it doesn't create significant value for end users with advertising

twelve40 Mar 8, 2023 View on HN

who in their right mind would give up tens of billions of ad revenue? the ads are coming no matter what.

kgwxd Jan 1, 2019 View on HN

Eventually paying users will get ads too.

nomel Oct 31, 2024 View on HN

Seems like the sane thing to do with would be put ads on those using the service for free.

moltar Mar 10, 2022 View on HN

Maybe they want to offer free service, but monetized by ads?

nikolayasdf123 May 13, 2025 View on HN

why no ads though? don't they give you reach and discovery to people? for so as long your profits are higher than ads cost, you are profitable, so why not?

jmull Aug 24, 2017 View on HN

People want stuff for free more than they hate ads... ads aren't going anywhere.

dylanlacom Jan 16, 2026 View on HN

Ironic to show ads only to your users with the least spending power. Me thinks this will not last. Once the ads get “good enough” they will be everywhere.

JanNash May 28, 2025 View on HN

Is it pointless though if e.g. there are no ads?