In today’s era, almost every mobile app we use is either paid or supported by ads. It is a hot topic amongst mobile users whether these ad-supported apps are a necessary evil or the future of mobile.
The debate over Ad-supported apps has been going on for a while now. On one hand, businesses generate revenue through the in-app ads that users can view, which helps keep mobile apps free or low-cost. Additionally, these ads help app developers afford to continue developing and iterating on the app, providing more features and better user experiences. And let’s face it, not everyone wants to pay/subscribe for everything.
On the other hand, an increasing number of users find mobile ads intrusive and annoying. Many users feel that ads disrupt their user experience, causing them to switch to a different app, with fewer or no ads at all. Additionally, there are ad-supported apps that show inappropriate or irrelevant ads, which can make users uncomfortable and also affect the overall reputation of the app.
There are developers who try to employ tactics that make the ad experience less intrusive, such as showing fewer or more relevant ads or allowing users to skip an ad within a certain time duration. However, as the competition among app developers is fierce, it is not easy to employ such tactics without affecting the revenue stream.
The debate over ad-supported apps is not just about the user experience; it’s also about user’s privacy. Some apps that are ad-supported are not transparent in their data collection practices. They might collect data that a user is not aware of or that the user has not allowed. This results in not only the poor user experience but also a breach of privacy, which is not acceptable. This kind of practice can lead to decreased user trust and loyalty, which are essential for any app to succeed.
In conclusion, whether ad-supported apps are a necessary evil or not the future of mobile, businesses and developers need to keep a balance between user experience, privacy, and revenue models. There is a need to make ads less intrusive and more relevant. At the same time, app developers must be transparent with their data collection practices and only collect the data a user has allowed them to. Ultimately, it’s up to the user to decide whether they want to use an ad-supported app or a paid one. The best way to decide is to try the app and see how it works for you.
