this post was submitted on 11 Aug 2023
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Most of the time when people say they have an unpopular opinion, it turns out it's actually pretty popular.

Do you have some that's really unpopular and most likely will get you downvoted?

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[โ€“] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Independent repair/handyman business pays google to place ads in their results when you search for relevant terms. In the past this was done through flyers & newspapers & billboards and such. If the business made absolutely no effort to advertise their service, then you would never be able to find them when you're looking for that service, except for through word of mouth (which is arguably a form of advertising in itself.)

Don't get me wrong, I hate ads too, and they've become far too prevalent in popular media. But they exist for a reason.

Edit: we also should have the right to block and deny ads as we wish. And at the same time, advertisers should have the right to exist. Google's recent DRM and crackdown on adblockers should be met with forceful government intervention, in an ideal world, due to their debatable monopoly over their sector.