The Return of the Pop-Up Ad

One of the big reasons users have switched from IE to alternative browsers such as Safari and FireFox has been the efficacy of "pop-up blockers" - features within the browser which stop advertisers from opening new windows with their own annoying ads in them. It ha generally made web surfing safer and more fun. Well, it appears that advretisers have wised up and MacFixit.Com is reporting that more and more websites are popping up or under ads even with the best blockers in place.

Since this issue is not limited to Mac OS X 10.3.8, Safari, or even Macs, it seems pretty clear that the real issue is not the Mac OS X 10.3.8 Update, but rather that Web advertisers have figured out a way to get around increasingly popular pop-up blockers. As reader Sandro writes, "As a web developer I have seen JavaScript workarounds for popup blockers so I’m thinking...that the popup ad makers have gotten wise." For example, Brian Fountain sent links to two interesting discussions on how to subvert pop-up blockers. The details of these techniques don't seem to describe the specific pop-under ads being described by MacFixIt readers, but the information provides some insight into the trends in Web advertising.

Why don't advertisers understand that annoying/angering their potential customers is NOT the best way to get business? I suppose because in many cases it works. Sigh. Here is hoping the next version of FireFox and Safari have new and better pop-up/pop-under blockers to cause the advertisers MORE frustration.