• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

AirPush: Do you want ads in your Notification Tray?

Are you okay with Ads being pushed to your Notification Tray?

  • Yes.

    Votes: 7 4.5%
  • No.

    Votes: 146 94.2%
  • Undecided.

    Votes: 2 1.3%

  • Total voters
    155
Upvote 0
I'm ok with ads in apps that don't interfere with using the app (e.g. unobtrusively placed in the app or pop ups between actions) and give me the option of going ad free. I do use ad block, but would support an app specific variety as some apps supported by ads don't provide enough utility for me to purchase them so I would like to support them thrugh ads. The notification bar however, is off limits to me. I decide what can put something there and is not for adverts. This is non negotiable for me.
 
Upvote 0
I'm ok with ads in apps that don't interfere with using the app (e.g. unobtrusively placed in the app or pop ups between actions) and give me the option of going ad free. I do use ad block, but would support an app specific variety as some apps supported by ads don't provide enough utility for me to purchase them so I would like to support them thrugh ads. The notification bar however, is off limits to me. I decide what can put something there and is not for adverts. This is non negotiable for me.

I use Adblock also, but I also always buy an app if given the option.

I can't recall the name of the app that spammed my notification bar, but it did so despite the fact that adblock was running.

I could look and see if I can find it in my reviews, but I make no promises.

Had the same thing happen to me, I gave the app a 1 star review and emailed the dev. He emailed me an ad free apk and I believe he has since released a paid ad free version. I did not buy that app or use the ad free one he sent me as a matter of principle. And developer that wants to use airpush will never get 1 penny from me!!
 
Upvote 0
Hello,

I'm a french android dev.
I've got an app that comes in 2 ways:
- a free one with ads IN the app (only banners) that could be removed by purchasing the ad-free in-app option directly IN the app.
- a paid one that is the same than the free one without the ads (for people that have no access to in-app purchase).

Lot of users ask me to do a widget to display directly the infos on the home instead of having to launch the app. I'm ok with that but then if they do not start the app anymore, the ads won't display anymore and no more revenue !

So, I was thinking to add a widget to my app and then when the user choose to install the widget and so can view the app infos directly through the widget, he'll receive notifications ads (only for users that didn't purchase ad-free option).
If he removes the widget, he won't get anymore notifications ads and stil can use the app normally.

What do you think about that? Which better solutions could you propose?

Thanks.
 
Upvote 0
Hello,

I'm a french android dev.
I've got an app that comes in 2 ways:
- a free one with ads IN the app (only banners) that could be removed by purchasing the ad-free in-app option directly IN the app.
- a paid one that is the same than the free one without the ads (for people that have no access to in-app purchase).

Lot of users ask me to do a widget to display directly the infos on the home instead of having to launch the app. I'm ok with that but then if they do not start the app anymore, the ads won't display anymore and no more revenue !

So, I was thinking to add a widget to my app and then when the user choose to install the widget and so can view the app infos directly through the widget, he'll receive notifications ads (only for users that didn't purchase ad-free option).
If he removes the widget, he won't get anymore notifications ads and stil can use the app normally.

What do you think about that? Which better solutions could you propose?

Thanks.

My recommended solution would be to make the widget part of the ad free version. Free app = no widget. That is much more reasonable than ever putting apps in the notification bar!
 
  • Like
Reactions: aysiu
Upvote 0
Hello,

I'm a french android dev.
I've got an app that comes in 2 ways:
- a free one with ads IN the app (only banners) that could be removed by purchasing the ad-free in-app option directly IN the app.
- a paid one that is the same than the free one without the ads (for people that have no access to in-app purchase).

Lot of users ask me to do a widget to display directly the infos on the home instead of having to launch the app. I'm ok with that but then if they do not start the app anymore, the ads won't display anymore and no more revenue !

So, I was thinking to add a widget to my app and then when the user choose to install the widget and so can view the app infos directly through the widget, he'll receive notifications ads (only for users that didn't purchase ad-free option).
If he removes the widget, he won't get anymore notifications ads and stil can use the app normally.

What do you think about that? Which better solutions could you propose?

Thanks.

First of all, nice approach asking here first.

I see your conundrum, as this is the first justifiable reason I have seen. I am not a developer so I am not sure what options you have with regard to notifying the user. Here are my thoughts as a user.

Make sure that you are able to only activate AirPush in the widget (this is where my lack of dev skills leaves me short). Even if your intent is noble, if it isn't technically possible to prevent AirPush when the user isn't using the widget, you may alienate your users that you have already.

Make sure the user knows that you are using AirPush. Put that early on in your app description and basically tell the story you did in this post. I think users are more upset when they have to hunt around for the offending app. I also don't know what you can do for notification that activating the widget activates this feature, probably something on the widget configuration screen, but if you could do a popup when the widget loads informing the user, it may be helpful.

I think most users want to support developers and many would understand. I just think you need to disclose, disclose, disclose. I use free apps with well placed ads and where my desire for the app is sufficient enough to justify the price, I'll buy it. If I have downloaded a free app and before I even get to try it out I have AirPush ads that I don't know about, its gone and I am not getting anything from that dev again.

BTW, I feel this same level of disclosure should be used for apps that support in app purchases (especially games) as my 4yr old has zapped me before and I didn't know it was even an option. I would have disabled it had I known, but nowhere in the app description or in the app itself could I find any disclosure.

Anyway, just my two cents:)
 
Upvote 0
So, I was thinking to add a widget to my app and then when the user choose to install the widget and so can view the app infos directly through the widget, he'll receive notifications ads (only for users that didn't purchase ad-free option).
If he removes the widget, he won't get anymore notifications ads and stil can use the app normally.

What do you think about that? Which better solutions could you propose?

Thanks.

I should think that this thread demonstrates just how much hatred there is for pushing ads to the notification bar. Keep in mine, for each person who takes the time to complain, there are many more who agree, but don't say anything.

The solution seems to be a simple one. Either; a) release the widget as a free stand-alone app WITH the push ads, BUT with a warning in the description that they are in use; and/or b) have a PAID version of the widget that doesn't serve ads.

One alternative I've seen for free widgets is that the ads are shown when the user goes in to the widget settings.
 
Upvote 0
I published in android market app that can block airpush ads.

You can download it from market: https://market.android.com/details?id=pl.byq.airblocker

Only for rooted devices.

If it works correct please rate app.

Thanks

It tells me that Mobo Video Player uses it.

Lookout's detector tells me that Screenshot 2.1 does.

I've not seen air push ads since uninstalling the app that initially did.

I really need to see if I can find what program that was. Anyone know if its possible to find your reviews specifically?
 
Upvote 0
Hehe, yeah I don't like it either way, but at least if you read the release notes and it says it supports Air Push you can move on...

Not knowing where the ads are coming from is just plain dirty.

Check out the Reddit thread ---> Airpush happy to support developers who deceive their users (xpost from /r/technology) : Android

There's a chat log from a customer service rep at Air Push, and she seems to support the idea that end-users shouldn't necessarily know what app is pushing the notifications.

I get that developers are their customers, and not the end-users, but hiding this information definitely constitutes malware.

I can see some legitimate uses for Air Push, such as ad-supported widgets, but it should be something the end-users are made aware of prior to installing. Otherwise it's practically a trojan.

And yeah, if this becomes the norm for ad-supported apps, then Google is seriously devaluing it's own product by allowing it.
 
Upvote 0
And yeah, if this becomes the norm for ad-supported apps, then Google is seriously devaluing it's own product by allowing it.

if this were to somehow become the norm as much as I like Android I think I would jump ship to another OS! I think there is way too much backlash for this to ever really take off though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Frisco
Upvote 0
Hello everybody,

Sorry for the late reply... too much busy...

And big thank you all for your responses!
That's confirm my thoughts.

I wanted to get your opinion on other thing too even if I guess it ;-)

It exists another indirect way of making money. Some networks pay a fee for each installation of the app. The network SDK install 2 or 3 shortcuts on the Home that redirects to a web search engine.

So, no ads and the user can delete those shortcuts.

So, is it worse, better or the same than notif. ads?

Thanks.
Seb.
 
Upvote 0
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones