The Washington Post blocks the blockers
In a turn of events that created headlines with more blocks in than a particularly pixelated game of Minecraft, The Washington Post is blocking readers who use ad-blocker software.
The Post has acted to eradicate the use of such software on its site, as it puts a sizeable dent in advertising revenue, which is crucial to the newspaper’s long-term prospects.
No more freebies
The site has a 10-article viewing limit for non-subscribers, similar to The Times and The Telegraph in this country but is no longer offering this to people who block ads.
The publication has excluded ad-blockers in a number of ways. In one instance, a pop-up window explained: “We’re committed to hosting safe ads and respecting your privacy. To keep reading, please disable your ad blocker.”
Other users are redirected to screens offering them different subscription options or asking them to sign up to newsletters.
While the same policy doesn’t currently apply to mobile access, it seems likely to be a matter of time, until it is applied across the board.
Trying ‘different approaches’
A Post spokesperson told Buzzfeed: “Many people already receive our journalism for free online, with digital advertising paying only a portion of the cost.
“Without income via subscriptions or advertising, we are unable to deliver the journalism that people coming to our site expect from us. We are currently running a test using a few different approaches.”
Founded in 1877, The Washington Post has 47 Pulitzer Prizes under its belt and broke the infamous Watergate scandal, which toppled President Richard Nixon.
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