Ads and pop-ups

When you’re browsing the web, you’ll often see advertisements for things like games, toys, or movies. These are called ads. Some ads are helpful, but some can be very annoying!

Why do we see Ads?

Most websites are free to use because they make money from advertising. When you see an ad on a website, the company that made the ad pays the website to show it to you. This is how websites like YouTube, Google, and many news sites can afford to stay online!

Pop-Ups and Banner Ads

There are different kinds of ads on the internet:

• Banner Ads: These are the long, thin ads you see at the top or side of a web page.
• Pop-Ups: These are ads that “pop up” in a new window on top of what you’re trying to read. These are often very annoying and can even be dangerous!

Dealing with Ads

You can use an ad blocker to hide most of the ads on the internet. An ad blocker is an extension for your web browser that stops ads from showing up. You can also turn on “Pop-up Blocking” in your browser’s settings to stop those annoying extra windows from appearing.

Did you know?

• The first banner ad: The first-ever banner ad appeared on a website in 1994, and it was for a company called AT&T!
• Personalized Ads: Have you ever noticed that ads are sometimes for things you were just searching for? These are “personalized ads,” and they use tracking cookies to show you things they think you’ll like.
• A “Pop-Under”: Some ads are so sneaky that they open underneath your current window, so you don’t even see them until you close your browser!

Check Your Knowledge

1. Why do many websites show advertisements?
2. What is the difference between a banner ad and a pop-up?
3. How can you stop ads from showing up in your browser?
4. What are “personalized ads”?
5. Why are pop-ups considered more annoying than other kinds of ads?