How are you approaching newer versions of Firefox?

Blocking all ads/metrics by default

[ByronM]

How are people approaching the latest version of Firefox with its aggressive blocking of ads/trackers? Is there a way to have some ads show up? Is Google working on an alternative that can pass the built-in privacy filters?

[keyplyr]

Don't know what criteria FF is using to block ads. I stopped using FF over a year ago, however most major browsers are including ad blockers. Seems that's what users want.

Is Google working on an alternative that can pass the built-in privacy filters?

Google has been working with The Initial Better Ads Standards [betterads.org]

[ByronM]

By default firefox just blocks all ads and analytics now.. no plugins required. Users have to click "enable trackers" and see a broken shield to see a website with any analytics or ads. Also, firefox blocks all facebook social stuff, so facebook logins don't work.

[not2easy]

I had not updated for a while so I finally did to see what is new. Personally, I really dislike it. But it does not block any of those things by default. It makes it easier for users to block tracking, that is for certain. It appears that the abuses caused by some may be starting to affect the many. The behavior you're seeing is controlled by the users, not by firefox defaults.

They have stripped its good features to beat Chrome at speed. I always update on my laptop to avoid losing tools I depend on. This new version (57.0.1) has nothing good for me. And it is ugly.

[iamlost]

All the browsers' later versions have been incorporating 'privacy' protections; it's almost a race to see who can claim the mostest each cycle. Combined with the increasing public awareness of ad/tracker blockers publishers relying on typical third party advertising/affiliate networks are definitely seeing revenue impact.

For those with the traffic volume one workaround is to go direct to niche advertisers (be they ad agencies or marketing departments) and sell them on the value of native advertising. Actually, increasingly, many/most already know that value and just need to be sold on your site, it's traffic value to them, and your native ad competency. Third party ad revenue (in the US) is pretty much all, and increasingly, via G and FB; web ad growth outside those two is almost all native.

Caution: native advertising is not easy, it is actually hard to do well; much as with any great content. Do your research and practice lots and create some 'best of' demo pieces before you go calling on advertisers.

Quick read: Native advertising grows up fast [poynter.org] by Rick Edmonds, Pointer, 27-November-2017.
Note: do check out the links to what the industry considers 'best of' examples.

[RedBar]

I've been using Firefox with ad blocker for more than a year now, all new machines I build I put it on and everyone has said how much more pleasurable their viewing usage is.

I had forgottem just how bad some sites are until yesterday when I accidentally used Chrome to visit a site that was so overloaded with ads and jumped around like a scalded cat for about 30 seconds when I closed it down and returned to the site in Firefox.

I do know of a site that breaks the Firefox ad blocker, needless to say I only go there with another browser.

[ByronM]

The new firefox does block all ads by default. You have to click the little shield and disable tracking protection. In particular, it blocks all facebook, google and twitter ads and analytics simply by installing it and the design of the shield makes it look like you're risking security by disabling it. This isn't an optional addon or people opting in. This is firefox advertising its now the worlds fastest browser - mostly because they're blocking analytics/web bugs and advertisements.

I'm *all* for a better web and non-spammy marketing/advertising. I hate spam sites just as much as anyone else... But the latest firefox seems to be a full-on assault with no apparent way to be a better citizen other than no ads at all.

it also breaks authentication if you use google/microsoft/facebook/twitter auth..

seems like a bad gesture to me.

[ByronM]

i guess its time to stop using google analytics and go back to old school log processing and work on monetization in other ways..

My other concern is that people will work really hard to circumvent the default behaviors of the new firefox and only make things worse. Especially since i can't seem to find any resources from mozilla on how publishers can do better.. (and isn't it ironic that their sole existence is based on search revenue from ppc advertising? gah)

[engine]

Oh, the irony!

This has been coming for years, and there's no doubt that all browsers are in a battle.

If we simply wear the AdSense hat, this is a really bad situation.
Note, although the question is squarely aimed at FF, is not the only browser helping drive down earnings.

If we wear the Advertisers hat, this is really bad as it means we can't get to a significant audience.

For Google, it's potential disaster.

The whole thing of an advertiser-supported site is at risk, and It's why the IAB is trying to work out a way to get over this through, in part, the ad.txt program
[webmasterworld.com...]
How can this help? I wonder if there will be some kind of agreement made which allows ads.txt-compliance to browsers.

Many sites wont' allow you access to the content unless you accept ads from them. That's much easier when it's a major publishers, but if you're a smaller publisher you're less likely to get authorized.

Let me add, I really don't have a solution.

[not2easy]

I don't see any little shield on this FF version, but I haven't checked off limitations in the privacy options. I imagine that many users have checked that box next to 'Use Tracking Protection to block known trackers' because it is easier than opting out of personalized ads that show you the same thing you viewed yesterday.

As engine said, this is not limited to a single browser.

[tangor]

They have stripped its good features to beat Chrome at speed. I always update on my laptop to avoid losing tools I depend on. This new version (57.0.1) has nothing good for me. And it is ugly.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, must ask, is the browser window the internet, or the content that is inside the browser window?

As for the ads side, a reformation will be coming (and has been a long time in coming).

Native ads are the bee's knees (been there for a few years now). Gotta have the content AND the traffic to make deals that will keep the house mortgage paid. Additional hours involved (as in MANY) and a large monthly supply of Tums for the acid churn. (Been there, still doing it, and hyper stating it just a bit for colorful commentary)

FF57 works. Broke a boat load of extensions and add-ons, but in the final analysis, this is a good thing as the current product is more secure than 56 and earlier.

I originally had some problems with the phone home and data collection side of 57, but extensive playing around in about:config solved the vast majority of those concerns. As long as that option is available I will continue to use FF, and let it be my browser of PERSONAL use. (Note: I do keep a bunch of other browsers active, just not for my personal use.)

[RedBar]

This new version (57.0.1) has nothing good for me. And it is ugly.

What's ugly about it?

If I had not personally updated to Firefox Quantum I wouldn't have known the difference ... time to retire methinks!

[koan]

I'm a long time user of Firefox currently on the latest version 57, I don't see this whole "block ads and analytics by default". The only way this could happen is with the Private Browsing Mode, but that would be expected,

[vegasrick]

Like the user stated above, I've been using Firefox for years and I'm on the latest version and don't see this issue with all ads being blocked.

However, if your open up a window to browse in private, of course all of the ads are not there but that's usual.

[vegasrick]

In fact, I'm on Firefox 58. Beta and see all ads everywhere (unless in a private window)

[nomis5]

That's strange, because when I open Firefox (not in private mode), all the ads are blocked from a variety of sites. Simply no ads get through.

I'm looking at the web from the UK. Wonder why some are seeing ads and some are not?

[vegasrick]

I just spoke to someone with Firefox, he assured me that ads or NOT blocked by "default."

He said if someone is not seeing ads, that means their tracking protection is set to "always."

By default, the setting is set only for "private windows" right out of the box.

If you have "tracking protection" set for "always" then of course it will block most ads everywhere - or at least ads with trackers. You can also set it to "never" to have ads everywhere.

[ByronM]

They must have some bugs in Firefox because the default behavior is apparently to block ads and I can't find any rhyme or reason. I don't use in private mode, i didn't even install any plugins yet when i go to my website, the ads are blocked and it even blocks facebook logins everywhere. I'm having to click the shield and disable.

Going to wipe it and re-install and see what happens.. i see this behavior in mac and windows so i dunno...

[vegasrick]

Byron, 71% of my Firefox audience is using the newest version, 5.7 - per analytics.

The fact that Google Analyitcs is picking them up and all of their movements on the site would indicate that analytics is NOT blocked.