Google is Purging Ad-Blocker apps from the Play Store

mikedt · Mar 14, 2013

Now I don't actually run any ad-blockers at all. But what I've actually done is to add many of the advertising URLs to the hosts file, along the URLs of IMO useless social networking junk, like Facebook, Twitter, Google+ etc. Because I don't use them.

Makes webpages load a whole lot faster and much less CPU intensive, because the browser is not running as many scripts. Sometimes webpages would freeze or not load at all, because of a non-responsive ad or social networking site.

EDIT:

I have the social networking junk in the hosts file to stop things like "The server at www.facebook.com is taking too long to respond."

EarlyMon · Mar 14, 2013

mikedt said:
Now I don't actually run any ad-blockers at all. But what I've actually done is to add many of the advertising URLs to the hosts file, along the URLs of IMO useless social networking junk, like Facebook, Twitter, Google+ etc. Because I don't use them.

Makes webpages load a whole lot faster and much less CPU intensive, because the browser is not running as many scripts. Sometimes webpages would freeze or not load at all, because of a non-responsive ad or social networking site.

That's exactly what root ad blockers do, and they provide a list of known ad sites.

And that's my experience as well, on performance.

chrlswltrs · Mar 14, 2013

Doesn't really affect me that much. I've been using AdFree since before it was on Android Market, and I'll keep using it now that it's not on Google Play anymore.

I understand why Google is doing it, but it would still suck if the apps didn't work anymore. If every developer that had a free app with ads also made a paid ad free version I wouldn't have to block ads.

EarlyMon · Mar 14, 2013

Yet the hypocrisy of their snail's pace in cleaning out apps that only infringe copyrighted media stands clear.

Breaking profit > breaking the law

edumobile · Mar 14, 2013

Ads are becoming a big revenue source for the App developers and google wants to keep that revenue stream healthy. Well the decision sucks but is not surprising. Users will however continue to sideload the Ad blocking software.

Davdi · Mar 14, 2013

I only install paid for version of apps, apart from when I'm evaluating them. Occasionally an app will advertize the dev's other apps, that can bet helpful if the ad's not too intrusive.

mikedt · Mar 14, 2013

EarlyMon said:
Yet the hypocrisy of their snail's pace in cleaning out apps that only infringe copyrighted media stands clear.

Breaking profit > breaking the law

I suppose they'll only remove copyright infringing apps if a third-party notifies them, DMCA take-downs. Like with YouTube(Google), plenty of copyright infringing videos, which are only removed when a DMCA take-down notice has been issued.

lnhs2007 · Mar 14, 2013

Stuntman said:
Either I don't find the ads very intrusive or I get the paid version that is ad free.

So you're saying you only buy apps that bother you if you don't? That's a bit backwards of thinking, and frankly the very reason ads are made so intrusive. You should buy apps to support a good product and good development of that and future apps. Apps that do anything to harass me for not purchasing are uninstalled immediately, thereby not getting ad revenue either. There are always alternatives.

On another note, ROM Toolbox Pro (don't know about free) is still up with ad-block integration. I'm sure it's a matter of time before it's changed so get it while it's available. Also saw AirBlock still up - wonder if they'll get the same notice.

I'm not surprised to see this action by Google, especially considering THEY ARE AN AD COMPANY. I don't see them ever blocking non-market apps from Android though. If you think about it, Windows allows you to install whatever you want on a PC, whether it's ad blockers, pirated software, or even software for pirating. They wouldn't host anything on their own Windows store, but if they straight up blocked you installing what you want on your own machine they know they'd lose a huge market to Linux or other PC alternatives.

miked6875 · Mar 14, 2013

chrlswltrs said:
Doesn't really affect me that much. I've been using AdFree since before it was on Android Market, and I'll keep using it now that it's not on Google Play anymore.

I understand why Google is doing it, but it would still suck if the apps didn't work anymore. If every developer that had a free app with ads also made a paid ad free version I wouldn't have to block ads.

I use AdFree also. Were can I get it please?

chrlswltrs · Mar 14, 2013

miked6875 said:
I use AdFree also. Were can I get it please?

What do you mean? You already use it, then you have it. The app doesn't need updated, all the sources are updated in app.

qetuop · Mar 14, 2013

Does anyone have any experience with F-Droid?
https://f-droid.org/
I just came across it looking for AdAway.

"The F-Droid Repository is an easily-installable catalogue of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) applications for the Android platform."

I finally had to install an ad blocker when the ads in an app I use (which has no paid version) started to become more obnoxious - flashing and scrolling. I was fine when it was just a banner ad.

EarlyMon · Mar 14, 2013

qetuop said:
Does anyone have any experience with F-Droid?
https://f-droid.org/
I just came across it looking for AdAway.

"The F-Droid Repository is an easily-installable catalogue of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) applications for the Android platform."

I finally had to install an ad blocker when the ads in an app I use (which has no paid version) started to become more obnoxious - flashing and scrolling. I was fine when it was just a banner ad.

If this is true -

https://f-droid.org/about/

Then those names include trustworthy people.

pastafarian · Mar 14, 2013

As already noted, the apps will still be updated and available as long as there's a need. One side effect I can see happening now is for some app makers to increase the ad presence as the fear of driving users to ad blockers goes away. Another side effect could be an increase in piracy as users who don't want any additional feature beyond less intrusive ad's search out "free" versions of the paid app version. Personally, I use an ad blocker, but only after the ads in many apps became too obtrusive. I'm fine with some ads if they're integrated into the app, many (most?) are just overlays added in as an after thought, often effecting usability an/or functionality.

mills2533 · Mar 14, 2013

It is about time Google did this. Those apps have been violating the developer's agreement in that they affect the operation of other apps.

Stuntman · Mar 14, 2013

chrlswltrs said:
I understand why Google is doing it, but it would still suck if the apps didn't work anymore. If every developer that had a free app with ads also made a paid ad free version I wouldn't have to block ads.

I had a discussion about this on another site and I was told that some app developers in certain countries are not allowed to create a paid app on Google Play. They can only have free apps. Not sure what the reasons for the restrictions are, though.

lnhs2007 said:
So you're saying you only buy apps that bother you if you don't? That's a bit backwards of thinking, and frankly the very reason ads are made so intrusive. You should buy apps to support a good product and good development of that and future apps. Apps that do anything to harass me for not purchasing are uninstalled immediately, thereby not getting ad revenue either. There are always alternatives.

Not all apps have a paid version. For instance, Angry Birds did not have a paid version the last time I checked. I haven't played it in over a year, so perhaps it has changed. In any case, I don't find the ads bothersome since it occupies only a small portion of the screen. They are off to the side instead of in your face. For those apps that I end up using often and do have a paid version, I do pay for them.

There were 2 apps that I use to use that had very intrusive ads that pops them in the notification area. One, I uninstalled as I didn't use it much. The other one I uninstalled initially and installed it back after the developer changed how it displayed apps. I eventually bought the app after I found I used it often.

Gmash · Mar 14, 2013

As was pointed out earlier, it's not just about apps, which may or may not have a paid version, but web ads as well, which can slow some sites down to a crawl, at least on 3G.

epexegenesis · Mar 14, 2013

I support Google's move here. It's not fair to offer in-app advertising as a way to monetize developer applications and then go supporting ad blocking apps that remove advertising from all apps on a device.

Of course, Android is open source so ad blocking apps will always be available elsewhere.

zaius42 · Mar 15, 2013

This shouldn't really affect anyone that knows how to install third party apps. Until google removes that. Which would basically say "we're like apple now"

mikedt · Mar 16, 2013

EarlyMon said:
If this is true -

https://f-droid.org/about/

Then those names include trustworthy people.

Site appears to be registered in the UK to the person named as the founder, with full contact details. It's not hidden behind any anonymous proxies or anything else that looks suspicious. I think it's true and the site is legit.

mikedt · Mar 16, 2013

Stuntman said:
I had a discussion about this on another site and I was told that some app developers in certain countries are not allowed to create a paid app on Google Play. They can only have free apps. Not sure what the reasons for the restrictions are, though.

I'm sure it's "Don't be evil" Google. They have a policy of not fully complying with the laws of certain countries and just maintain a minimal presence, unlike Apple or Microsoft who have no scruples about doing business wherever they can. In China, Google Play is free apps only, while both iOS and Windows RT have paid apps available in their app stores. In China most Android devices are completely without Google anyway, Googleless.

bigdrew · Mar 16, 2013

I think Google is being fairly pragmatic about this. They have to protect developers if Android is going to be viable in the future. Yet they've integrated notification controls into Jellybean, the timing of which really led me to believe that it was in response to Airpush. They now offer SPDY integration into Chrome to decrease bandwidth and increase load times for complex, ad-laden websites. Android is an open platform and we free to do what we want just by checking the unknown sources box, but they can't officially endorse ad-blocking apps on the Play Store. If I were a developer, I'd be pissed if another app interfered with mine.

chrlswltrs · Mar 16, 2013

bigdrew said:
If I were a developer, I'd be pissed if another app interfered with mine.

If I were a developer I would offer a free and a paid, ad free version of my app so I didn't piss people off by not giving them an option to not see ads.

EarlyMon · Mar 16, 2013

Example, I like anime. I watch it on Crackle, ads are blocked. I watch it on Crunchyroll, I get Toyota ads (which I'm ok with, it's a better app and ads are fair because I don't want the monthly subscription). I have other apps that my ad-blocker has no effect on, again, I'm okay with that.

I think that some devs must be better than others at the ad game.

Not hating on the devs, just going back to my point that this isn't all black and white unless you're Google.

zuben el genub · Mar 18, 2013

You can still get Adblock.
https://adblockplus.org/blog/adblock-plus-for-android-removed-from-google-play-store

If Amazon, who is reputable carries it as Adblock has said -----

Austrie · Mar 18, 2013

Well, there goes JRummies house rent...

Google is Purging Ad-Blocker apps from the Play Store

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