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I always scroll past the ad to click on the "real" URL. I don't want to add to the statistic showing support that behaviour.


Indeed. That's why Google is obscuring the boundaries between "ads" and "results", until you no longer have the option to not be a statistic.


You do you, but (1) you aren't moving anyone's needle on revenue or expenses, and (2) you're using the search engine for its main business proposition and then circumventing the compensation model, so you are not being ethical either. You could use another engine or spend some money to compensate the search provider.


> and then circumventing the compensation model > spend some money to compensate the search provider

what?

Wait so you're saying everyone owes it to Google to click the ads? How much? Always? Sometimes?

Does this mean that if you go to the movies you are literally obligated to buy popcorn and soda? I agree with you that if no one clicked ads then Google wouldn't "be able to operate it" for free. But I think that like any business they operate in the aggregate. Some people make you money, some don't. In Google's case, everyone I have ever watched click ads 100% of the time so I don't think they're hurting.

And also, I think if everyone stopped clicking ads and Google was forced to just charge users say $12 a month for search as an informational service with zero ads, I would gladly pay it. And the Internet and the world would be a LOT better.




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