Now Blick.ch also blocks adblockers - but only on a test basis for now
Recently, Blick.ch has also started blocking users who have ad blockers installed. The trial period is still underway. By implementing this ad-blocker block, the site is following the lead of its main competitor, 20 Minuten, among others.
Tamedia already placed its own news portals 20 Minuten, 20 Minutes and Tagesanzeiger.ch behind an adblocker barrier last November. Anyone who does not want to deactivate the ad blocker on the respective pages must buy a digital subscription to access the content. The Aargauer Zeitung, for example, also locks out users with adblockers switched on and only shows them the homepage. In Germany, Bild.de introduced a block for adblocker users back in 2015, causing quite a stir and generating a lot of discussion.
On Blick.ch, surfing with an adblocker was previously possible without any problems. This is now changing. Since recently, visitors who hide the ads via tool are faced with the choice: Adblocker off or buy a monthly access for 6.90 francs. For the time being, this is only a test phase, as Ringier spokesman Manuel Bucher confirmed to Werbewoche. This means that until further notice, the adblocker will only be shown to 30 percent of all readers.
"With this measure, we want to make our readers aware of the journalistic value and underline the importance of advertising revenue," Bucher said. This is not a paywall. Rather, he said, it is a contribution to continue visiting Blick.ch. "Readers are not signing up for a subscription with this."
According to Bucher, the reason for the test phase is technical. It is not a matter of testing how many visitors are deterred by the blockade. It can therefore be assumed that Blick will soon also block out visitors with an activated adblocker across a large area - and, if necessary, forego the reach lost as a result. (hae)
