Will Microsoft IE8 Block Ads and Affiliate Cookies by Default?
Every 3 months or so something hits the media that “threatens” to kill the online advertising industry. (Roll eyes) So here’s the latest. The new Microsoft IE 8 has some privacy features that could be problematic for the online marketing industry, but I don’t think it’s going to be as bad as some media outlets are painting it.
I’ve seen some articles that say the feature that could block ads and 3rd party cookies is on by default and that’s worrisome. However another article I read said you have to turn on the privacy features every browser session if you want to use them. I hope once IE8 hits the mainstream it will turn out that it’s not a problem for affiliate marketers. It’s something to be aware of though.
I’m still researching the media stories but am not in a position to download the beta for testing. So if any of you do, please report in the comments.
The Post has some pretty sensational doom and gloom for the ad industry.
Accidental Ad Blocker – Washington Post
The advertising industry is bracing for trouble from the next version of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, details of which were announced today, because it will offer a feature that blocks some ads and other content from third-parties that shows up on Web pages.
“It has the potential to undermine the economies of the Internet,” said Mike Zaneis, vice president of the Interactive Advertising Bureau.
Here is detailed info from the Microsoft IE blog: IE8 and Privacy
Other news stories:
New Microsoft Browser May Block Web Advertisements
“… the Firefox plug-in AdBlock, which eliminates most display advertisements automatically and gives me the freedom to block Flash and other annoying components of the Web.
“Microsoft’s addition, though, makes that a default setting within the browser, one that people who aren’t prone to adding plug-ins and such on their computer will love.”
Internet Explorer 8’s InPrivate Could Block Advertising – Wired Blog
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#1 Jeremy Palmer wrote on August 26, 2008 :
It will be interesting to see if IE 8 ships with this turned on. From what I can tell MS still has a lot of work to do before IE 8 is production ready.
Knowing MS they’ll probably block all third party cookies that don’t come from their own ad networks….
#2 Linda Buquet wrote on August 26, 2008 :
Thanks for commenting Jeremy. I sure hope they don’t block by default.
My forum admin just told me Beta 2 is ready end of August. He’s a browser nut so I’m pretty sure he’s going to test and let us know.
#3 robert wrote on August 28, 2008 :
Well if MSFT wishes to further compete with Google, Yahoo and AOL then they need to further endear themselves to advertisers. This would certainly not be viewed well by advertisers. If I controlled a large ad budget and was running on any MSN property (which I likely would be) I’d pull the plug and I am sure many others would as well.
#4 sridhar wrote on September 11, 2008 :
It will be interesting to see if IE 8 ships with this turned on. From what I can tell MS still has a lot of work to do before IE 8 is production ready.
#5 sridhar wrote on September 11, 2008 :
Well if MSFT wishes to further compete with Google, Yahoo and AOL then they need to further endear themselves to advertisers. This would certainly not be viewed well by advertisers. If I controlled a large ad budget and was running on any MSN property (which I likely would be) I’d pull the plug and I am sure many others would as well.