An increasing number of news websites are now engaged
in the latest form of annoying commercial messages: screen
spam.
You're on a news website reading an article when, suddenly,
an invisible hand starts scratching words in red ink across
your screen. What's this? You've just been targeted with
screen spam, the latest and most aggressive advertising tactic
yet
deployed by unscrupulous Internet marketers, designed to
do nothing other than interrupt your visit and cajole you
into
buying something.
Welcome to "interruption advertising," Internet-style.
Ad banners alone weren't enough, so they made flashing ad
banners, then animated ad banners. That wasn't enough either,
so they
secretly launched pop-under advertisements that you'd only
find after closing your browser. Still, that wasn't enough,
so now they've turned to screen spam.
Look Who's Screen Spamming Now
You'd be amazed to learn who's spamming your screen. Many
of the ads promote Microsoft products or services, and other
advertisers are jumping on board with this unscrupulous tactic.
Spam isn't just in your email any more: even your web browser
is becoming increasingly polluted with annoying commercial
messages.
Enough is Enough
It's time to tell publishers and advertisers that screen
spamming is not acceptable. Article content is no place for
large scribblings that have no purpose other than to interrupt
readers and make it impossible to view web content without
being forced through a dense thicket of ads.
This is the kind of behavior expected of porn spammers and
viagra hucksters, not reputable companies. How you can make a difference
- Never click on screen spam ads.
- Complain to publishers
when you see screen spam. Let them know this form of
annoying advertising is not acceptable.
- Do
not return to sites that feed you screen spam. Let
their drop in traffic teach them a lesson about respecting
their readers.
- Spread the word. Tell your friends about
ScreenSpam.org.
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