Currently, browsing the web without using an ad-blocker or better browsers looks like shopping in the middle of a pandemic without a mask. Viruses are everywhere, and they take advantage of their future hosts. Third-party tracking, collecting, sharing, or selling users’ personal information, paywalls, popups, clickbait titles, and scams all produce a broken web experience.
How many times did I not want to read an article only to feel trapped like the Romans in the Caudine Forks?
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And how can I forget about the 100-step process of finding a muffin recipe? “Did you want a recipe? Sure, it all started with a brisk walk in the fall. Seeing all the vibrant hues of autumn reminded me of my 12th birthday. Next, I went to college.” and so on until the article hits the required number of words for better SEO.
What about the cognitive dissonance of some minimalism/simply living content creators? We are being told to simplify our lives, disconnect or log off from social media. Yet these messages are coming from content creators that ask us to like and share their content on YouTube, listen to their podcasts, subscribe to their newsletters, follow them on Instagram or Twitter, like them on Facebook.
The public consumed “free content” for so long that most of us will close tabs if we must pay to read. This “free content” leads to a chase towards better ranking, gaming the rules of SEO.
Unfortunately, that means that content is no longer geared towards humans but algorithms.
This better-ranking hunt led to cloning articles with click-baiting titles of “shocking title will shock you”, “you won’t believe what happened”, or “the best recipe”. Because longer-form content produces a higher search ranking, that means a simple recipe for pancakes becomes a 1,000 words Proustian essay.
Creating and hosting content requires money, time, and effort. Content creators also need to support themselves. There are bills to pay and mouths to feed. However, accessing content that appears ‘free’ often comes with hidden costs, such as compromising personal privacy or enduring excessive advertising. This hidden price tag raises a critical question: can content creators generate income while upholding ethical standards and prioritizing user privacy and experience?
I firmly believe it’s achievable. When I align with a creator’s principles and believe in their integrity, I’m more inclined to support them by using their affiliate links, purchasing their products, subscribing to their services, or contributing to their Patreon.
Ethical advertising doesn’t need to be intrusive or loud. It is about crafting promotional content that respects the user, treating them not as targets but as informed participants. The key lies in trust and shared values between the creator and the audience.
But is ethical advertising enough?
Note: I do not have a cookie banner because I do not use third-party analytics, tracking, or targeted advertising services. I share many Amazon links, but no link is a referral. I will update articles accordingly when/If I set up a referral process.