Peace app logo (Photo : CDN.net)
Apple recently launched iOS 9 ad-blocking support. This move caused developers to release ad blockers, helping to speed up load times but also resulting in less web content due to mobile tech writers' revenue loss. Marco Arment's Peace ad blocker for iPhone and iPad, the top iOS app during the past two days was just pulled from the iTunes App Store. It blocked advertisements and social media content.
The $2.99 Peace app was the number one paid iOS app for 36 hours, according to ZDNet. It blocked ads, trackers, and social posts and comments.
Mobile content writers have been able to write about various products, companies, services and applications due to ad revenue. However, iOS ad blockers decrease their online income.
Arment said he believes that ad blockers are necessary, but he does not have a clear conscious about making one. He will not be providing any updates and is guiding buyers to request a refund if they want their money back.
The app developer said that ad blockers benefit many people in big ways, such as through ad-free browsing. However, in a blog post on September 18, Friday, Arment shared that they also create victims such as small websites and news organizations, according to CNN Money.
Ad-blocking's function is ironic. It reduces the revenue of the content creators who are providing free browsing.
Some people have praised Arment's bold move. However, others have called his action quick and broad, while his ad publisher lambasted him on Twitter.
Android has supported ad blockers for quite a while. However, it did not become a hot issue until Apple's Safari content blockers became popular.
Apple does not offer an ad blocker itself. If it later does it would likely increase the debate about whether ad-free browsing on smartphones and tablets, and quality content can coexist.
