We've all gotten so used to ads while browsing online that we don't even have to think about not clicking them anymore. While we're steadily adapting to the "ad effect", advertisers are constantly looking for new ways to slide in and grab our attention long enough to squeeze a click out of us. It looks like an unending game of cat and mouse that's gone into hyper-speed ever since the internet claimed humanity's attention.
Recently the advertisement industry has gotten up-close and personal with their target demographics by using companies like Facebook to track what we click on and how often. This information allows advertisers to hone in on their targets to get relevant ads on their screens, allowing them to charge higher fees.
With the advent of blockchain technology raining down on internet users globally, thousands of use cases have popped up in the last decade, all aiming for a smoother internet experience for all. Most of the changes will be happening under the hood, but a few companies are looking to directly influence the average internet user's experience. One of these companies is called Online.io, and they're looking to eliminate ads, viruses, and internet tracking all-together.
Right now, the internet basically runs on ads. There's an enormous amount of information and entertainment available online free of monetary charge. The price we pay comes in the form of 15 second ads or moving banners at the top of the page. The ecosystem is essentially supported by our attention, even if only a fraction of a percent are clicking through on these advertisements. On a large enough scale, it's enough.
At first, advertisements weren't as obvious to us. For example, when using a search engine like Google, the top three results are usually ads that a company earned by simply paying for the top spot. The paid-ads weren't always as relevant as whatever was showing up in the organic spots just a few places below. We (as in the average web-browser) were more likely to give those top spots a chance 5-10 years ago. Nowadays, we scroll right passed them to get to the good stuff.
Since we've become more keen on what's an advertisement and what's not, marketers are forced to up their game in order to get their products and services in front of people. This is what causes the propensity to gather as much information about internet users as legally possible. This leads to an age where sensitive information like financial and health records are collected or sold to the highest bidder. Profiles can be made on a massive scale which allow advertisers to pinpoint their target market more precisely than ever before.
This is one of the problems Online.io is setting out to fix by creating a web browsing system that allows users to enjoy an ad-free experience while web operators are still able to get paid. With the need for effective ads lowered or all-together eliminated, there is less pressure on advertisers to collect a stranger's personal information in order to remain competitive in their industry.
This is the first of many articles I'll be writing about Online.io, as they plan to tackle more than just ads and internet-tracking. Later this week I'll be releasing an article detailing how the company can create a faster web-browsing experience with built-in antivirus protection.
Disclaimer: As with all investments, you should do your own research. The information provided in this article is focused primarily on bringing the facts out of the white paper to supplement your due diligence. Please do your own research and make up your own mind.
Links:
Online.io
