Google launches experimental ad-free subscription service
Google, one of the chief beneficiaries of internet advertising, has hit upon a new way of making money online by offering web browsers the chance to read advert free versions of popular sites in return for a monthly subscription of between $1 and $3.
Mashable, The Onion and WikiHow are amongst the first publishers to sign up to the invitation only crowdfunding program, known as Contributor, offering them a potential new income stream from ad-phobic readers.
The ad blocker will strip embedded promotions from participating sites, replacing them with a simple ‘Thank-you’ message, with revenues generated by the scheme split between Google itself and participating websites.
According to Google the ‘experimental’ system is compatible with all major browsers and mobile apps and is being seen as a way for the internet giant to wean itself off its dependence on advertising revenues.