Reacting to Unwanted 'Options': Are They Just Ads?

I recently came across a post online where someone was expressing frustration about a new “option” that had appeared within an application they were using. Their core complaint was that this new feature felt less like a helpful addition and more like a blatant advertisement. This got me thinking about the subtle ways ads can creep into our user experiences, blurring the lines between functionality and promotion.

Let’s delve into this issue, explore why these unwanted options feel so intrusive, and discuss strategies for managing and mitigating their impact on your mobile experience.

The Blurring Lines: Option or Advertisement?

It's becoming increasingly common for apps to introduce new “features” or “options” that, upon closer inspection, seem primarily designed to generate revenue or promote other services. These can manifest in several ways:

• Promotional Banners Disguised as Options: A banner appears at the top of your screen, advertising a premium feature or a partner app, but it's presented as an option to “upgrade” or “explore more.”
• Sponsored Content Integrated into Feeds: Your main feed is interspersed with “suggested” or “sponsored” posts that don't quite match the content you're actually interested in.
• Interstitial Ads Triggered by Actions: After completing a task or navigating to a new screen, you're presented with a full-screen ad that requires you to wait a few seconds before continuing.
• Upselling During Core Functionality: While trying to perform a basic function, you're constantly prompted to purchase additional features or services that aren't strictly necessary.

These tactics can be incredibly frustrating because they disrupt the user experience and make it difficult to accomplish your goals. The user in the original post clearly felt that the app was prioritizing its own revenue generation over the needs of its users.

Why These 'Options' Feel Like Ads

Several factors contribute to the perception that these unwanted options are simply disguised advertisements:

• Irrelevance: The option is completely unrelated to your current task or interests. If you're using a photo editing app, you probably don't want to see an option to download a shopping app.
• Intrusiveness: The option is presented in a way that disrupts your workflow. Full-screen ads, pop-up banners, and constant prompts are all highly intrusive.
• Lack of Transparency: The option is not clearly labeled as an advertisement or promotion. This makes it difficult to distinguish between genuine features and marketing ploys.
• Frequency: The option appears too frequently, becoming a constant annoyance. Even a relevant option can become irritating if it's presented too often.
• Deceptive Design: The option uses visual cues or wording that mislead you into clicking on it. This can include using similar colors or fonts to the app's main interface.

When these elements combine, it's easy to see why users feel like they're being bombarded with ads disguised as legitimate options.

Strategies for Managing Unwanted Options

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to manage these unwanted options and reclaim your mobile experience:

1. Leverage Ad Blocking Solutions

As a first line of defense, consider using ad blocking solutions on your mobile device. These tools can block many of the promotional banners and sponsored content that appear within apps.

• DNS-Based Ad Blocking: As we often recommend, DNS-based ad blocking can be a highly effective way to block ads system-wide, without requiring the installation of individual apps or browser extensions. Services like NextDNS and AdGuard DNS allow you to filter traffic at the network level, preventing ads from even reaching your device.
• Browser Extensions: If the unwanted options are primarily appearing within your web browser, consider using ad blocking extensions like uBlock Origin or AdGuard. These extensions can block ads, trackers, and other unwanted content, improving your browsing experience.
• VPN-Based Ad Blocking: Some VPN services offer built-in ad blocking capabilities. These VPNs route your traffic through their servers and filter out ads before they reach your device. However, keep in mind that using a VPN can impact your battery life and internet speed.

2. Customize App Settings

Many apps offer settings that allow you to control the types of notifications and promotions you receive. Take some time to explore the settings menu of the apps you use frequently and disable any unwanted options.

• Disable Promotional Notifications: Turn off notifications that promote new features, services, or partner apps. These notifications are often the source of unwanted options.
• Opt-Out of Personalized Ads: Some apps allow you to opt-out of personalized ads. This may reduce the relevance of the ads you see, but it can also make them less intrusive.
• Adjust Content Preferences: If the unwanted options are appearing in your feed, adjust your content preferences to filter out irrelevant content.

3. Choose Alternative Apps

If an app is consistently displaying intrusive ads or unwanted options, consider switching to an alternative app that offers a better user experience. There are often multiple apps that provide similar functionality, so you may be able to find one that respects your preferences.

• Research Alternatives: Before switching, research alternative apps and read reviews to see what other users are saying about their ad policies and user experience.
• Try Free Versions: If possible, try the free versions of alternative apps before committing to a paid subscription. This will allow you to assess their ad policies and user experience without risking any money.
• Consider Open-Source Options: Open-source apps are often more transparent about their ad policies and data collection practices. They may also be more customizable, allowing you to disable unwanted options.

4. Provide Feedback to Developers

If you're unhappy with the way an app is displaying ads or unwanted options, let the developers know. Constructive feedback can help them improve their app and create a better user experience.

• Leave a Review: Leave a review on the app store, explaining why you're unhappy with the app's ad policies. Be specific and provide examples of the unwanted options you're seeing.
• Contact Support: Contact the app's support team and explain your concerns. They may be able to address your concerns directly or provide you with a workaround.
• Participate in Forums: Participate in online forums and discussions about the app. This can help you connect with other users who share your concerns and find solutions together.

5. Embrace Private DNS on Android

Android offers a feature called Private DNS, which allows you to specify a DNS server for all network traffic on your device. By using a DNS server that blocks ads and trackers, you can effectively block many of the unwanted options that appear within apps.

• Configure Private DNS: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Private DNS and select the “Private DNS provider hostname” option. Enter the hostname of your chosen DNS service (e.g., nextdns.io or adguard-dns.io).
• Choose a Reputable Provider: Select a reputable DNS provider that offers ad blocking and tracking protection. Some popular options include NextDNS, AdGuard DNS, and Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 for Families.
• Test Your Configuration: After configuring Private DNS, test your configuration to make sure it's working correctly. You can use online tools or apps to check your DNS settings and verify that ads are being blocked.

The Power of System-Wide Ad Blocking

The beauty of DNS-based ad blocking, and local VPN apps like Blokada, is the system-wide protection they offer. Unlike browser extensions that only work within a specific browser, these solutions block ads and trackers across all apps and websites on your device. This can significantly improve your mobile experience by reducing the number of unwanted options you see and improving your device's performance.

My Recommendations Based on Your Needs

Let's consider some specific use cases and the ad blocking solutions that might be best suited for each:

"I want a simple, set-and-forget solution"

→ AdGuard DNS: AdGuard DNS is a great option if you want a simple, set-and-forget solution. Just configure your device to use AdGuard DNS servers, and you'll automatically block many of the unwanted options that appear within apps and websites.

"I want granular control over what's blocked"

→ NextDNS: NextDNS offers granular control over what's blocked. You can customize blocklists, create whitelists, and view detailed analytics to see which domains are being blocked.

"I'm concerned about privacy"

→ NextDNS + Quad9: If you're concerned about privacy, consider using NextDNS in combination with Quad9. NextDNS provides customizable ad blocking, while Quad9 focuses on security and privacy by blocking malware and phishing domains.

"I need to block ads within specific apps"

→ Local VPN apps like Blokada or AdGuard for Android: These apps create a local VPN on your device to filter traffic and block ads within specific apps. They offer more control than DNS-based solutions but may consume more battery power.

"I only want to block ads in my browser"

→ Browser extensions like uBlock Origin or AdGuard: If you only want to block ads in your browser, use browser extensions like uBlock Origin or AdGuard. These extensions are lightweight and highly effective at blocking ads and trackers.

Is Paid Ad Blocking Worth It?

Many ad blocking solutions offer both free and paid versions. The free versions typically provide basic ad blocking functionality, while the paid versions offer additional features such as customizable blocklists, detailed analytics, and priority support. So, is paid ad blocking worth it?

Free is sufficient if:

• You just want basic ad blocking functionality
• You don't need customizable blocklists
• You don't need detailed analytics
• You're comfortable with limited support

Consider paying if:

• You want customizable blocklists
• You want detailed analytics
• You need priority support
• You want to support the developers

Ultimately, the decision of whether to pay for ad blocking depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you're happy with the functionality provided by the free version, there's no need to pay for the paid version. However, if you need additional features or want to support the developers, the paid version may be worth the investment.

Setting Up Your Chosen Solution

Once you've chosen an ad blocking solution, setting it up is usually straightforward:

For DNS-Based Ad Blocking:

1. Find the DNS server addresses or hostname provided by your chosen service (e.g., NextDNS, AdGuard DNS).
2. On Android: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Private DNS and enter the hostname.
3. On iOS: Download and install the configuration profile from the provider’s website.

For Local VPN Apps (Android):

1. Download and install the app (e.g., Blokada, AdGuard for Android) from the app store or the developer’s website.
2. Follow the app's instructions to enable the local VPN.
3. Configure the app's settings to customize blocklists and other options.

For Browser Extensions:

1. Open your browser's extension store (e.g., Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons).
2. Search for your chosen ad blocking extension (e.g., uBlock Origin, AdGuard).
3. Install the extension and follow its instructions to configure settings.

Final Thoughts on Reclaiming Your Mobile Experience

The user's frustration with unwanted “options” that felt like ads highlights a growing trend in mobile apps: the blurring of lines between functionality and promotion. By understanding the strategies apps use to monetize their services and implementing ad blocking solutions, customizing app settings, and choosing alternative apps, you can reclaim your mobile experience and enjoy a less intrusive and more enjoyable browsing experience. It's about taking control and prioritizing your own needs over the revenue-generating tactics of app developers. It's your device, your data, and your experience – make it what you want it to be.