Suppose web ads were banned tomorrow. How would sites adapt?
Many sites will shut down. A few sites would probably go Wikipedia style and ask for donations, run by the generosity of a few.
But I think the vast majority of remaining sites will become paid walled gardens, kind of like what we have with TV these days. I don't think this is a better web.
Any dramatic change like banning ads in a day is destined to cause waves. I’m more interested in whether we’d end up in a better place a couple years out.
Many sites will shut down. A few sites would probably go Wikipedia style and ask for donations, run by the generosity of a few.
But I think the vast majority of remaining sites will become paid walled gardens, kind of like what we have with TV these days. I don't think this is a better web.