The internet is being overrun by ads

Anytime you online shop, stream a series or open up a mobile game, chances are you are bombarded with advertisements. From banners to pop-ups to mid-rolls, ads have become a guaranteed feature when using the internet. For many companies, ads are necessary to turn a profit, and user data is now more readily available than ever.

The prevalence of ads in every corner of the internet experience is a problem that has only become worse over time. Internet advertising revenues reached a record-high of $225 billion between 2022 and 2023, according to a report by the Interactive Advertising Bureau and PwC. "Advertising is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by channels that offer addressable audiences at scale and personalized messaging in privacy-compliant ways," said the report. Along with more ads, the forms they take have also evolved. "Gone are the days of simple banner ads; even the sponsored Instagram posts invading my feed have started to feel quaint," said The Atlantic. "Now nothing is safe from brands trying to sell us stuff."

Much of this is due to the increased accessibility of user data to create more targeted ads. "A big part of why the internet has become an adpocalypse is that this kind of targeted advertising is no longer reserved for the tech giants," said The Atlantic. "In recent years, diet apps, fitness apps, period-tracking apps, transportation apps, dating apps, food-delivery apps and basically every other kind of app realized they have valuable personal information." In agreeing to a website or app's terms and conditions, many times you are agreeing to share data as well.

Leave a Comment