Survey: 80 percent of those who know about ad blocking use it

Every day, it seems, there’s another publisher trying something to combat ad blocking. A new survey looks at what people actually think about those tactics. 17 percent of desktop users said they’d whitelist a site if politely requested to do so. But fully 28 percent said they’d stop visiting a site if they’re denied access — a move that could potentially cost the publisher an important audience segment. Another soberingly finding: among those aware of ad blocking, 80 percent block ads on desktop, suggesting it’s just awareness that’s holding back higher adoption.