New Ad-Blocking App Scares Mobile Industry

 

 

While smartphones continue to grow at a rapid clip, many companies are still having a tough time with monetization on mobile devices. Even large players like Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) and Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) are struggling to find ways to make advertising work.

Unfortunately, the situation may get worse because of a product called AdBlock Plus, which is backed by start-up Eyeo. The software, which has been extremely popular in eliminating Web-based ads (attracting over 40 million users), will soon be unleashed on mobile ads.

However, AdBlock Plus eliminates only ads that are “intrusive.” For example, it still allows messages from respected companies like Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN).

What’s more, it’s not necessarily inevitable that AdBlock Plus will get much traction on mobile platforms. If anything, it takes a while for an app to become widespread, which should provide some comfort for operators that are still trying to figure out ad strategies that work on mobile devices.

~geniusses