Ever since a commit was made to EasyList, a conflict has begun between UBlock Origin contributers and numerous mod developers that use the Modrinth platform. This is because this commit blocked multiple sponsorship referral banners on mod pages, specifically on the Modrinth website. Modrinth themselves has come out against this change to the EasyList block list and due to UBlock Origin using it by default, this is primarily a conflict between UBlock Origin’s main contributors and active mod developers on Modrinth.
Mod developers complaints primarily are that the implementation was commonly breaking their mod pages, leading to important support links for players to be hidden, and that the change negatively affects them monetarily as independent developers. Some mod developers have begun automatically changing their referral links to prevent them from being blocked every time a commit attempts so. Mod developers’ are concerned their livelihoods could be ruined by this EasyList change.
UBlock Origin has retorted that the sponsorship affiliate links fit the Easy List definition for an advertisement and therefore they will not make an exception. This is likely because implementing any kind of acceptable ads policy is out of the question for them, as a similar policy is what led to the original UBlock from becoming sub-par and less usable, leading to the UBlock Origin fork.
This primarily raises questions about how or why these mod developers are losing money. The presence of concern implies that their sponsors and affiliates are able to track each individual click or view for their referral links, a practice I am sure most would consider intrusive. We can only hope that this puts enough pressure on these companies and groups to remove tracking from their links.
UBlock Origin has retorted that the sponsorship affiliate links fit the Easy List definition for an advertisement and therefore they will not make an exception.
Completely and obviously correct. These are ads. The job of ublock origin is to block ads. The ads are being blocked, the software is doing its job, the advertisers can get fucked. Ads are brain-pollution and displaying them to me should be considered assault.
If you want my money tell me why I should pay you and I’ll consider it, fuck off with the ads
I know minecraft is a classic game for everyone, but how many players are using an adblocker enough to make an impact? Modding isn’t particularly difficult that only tech savvy people do. Almost no one in my CS major uses an adblocker lol. I know someone who does, and he felt bad so he disabled it
Almost no one in my CS major uses an adblocker lol. I know someone who does, and he felt bad so he disabled it
?!?
next you’ll tell me these people don’t keep a gun pointed at their printer in case it makes a weird noise
how many players are using an adblocker enough to make an impact?
Given the context in which Modrinth was created, it’s likely that their userbase is significantly more likely than average to use adblockers.
The context
The largest host for Minecraft mods is Curseforge, which hosts effectively all Minecraft mods. They intend for you to download mods and modpacks through their ad-infested launcher, and part of the ad revenue is used to pay the mod creator per-download. However, there was an alternate open-source launcher, MultiMC, that used the Curseforge API to download mods without having to see ads. Even aside from that, MultiMC was better than Curseforge in effectively every way.
Some time ago, Curseforge announced plans to step up the ads on their launcher even more and block MultiMC from using their API to try to force users to use their launcher. This sparked a lot of backlash because their launcher was obviously much worse than MultiMC. Modrinth had been around before this, but it gained a lot of popularity in the wake of this incident because people wanted to move away from Curseforge. Modrinth was open-source and allowed mods to be downloaded through MultiMC, which gave people the impression that it was more trustworthy than Curseforge.
However, they had promised from the start that they would have payments to mod creators as well through “ethical ads” on their website. This is a problem for them because their userbase (both mod creators and players) is mostly made of people angry at Curseforge, and thus more likely to be free/open-source software enthusiasts and anti-advertising. That being said, their website is still a lot nicer than Curseforge and they don’t push ads as aggressively.
Because Modrinth is still relatively small and payments to mod creators only started recently, the vast majority of mods are still only available on Curseforge. However, Curseforge’s protection measures were pretty easily bypassed and PrismMC (the successor to MultiMC) is capable of downloading off Curseforge anyways.
Ok but doesn’t this imply no one would click their links anyways
lol
get fucked. if i had a choice i would never see an ad ever again. i dont care how ‘ethical’ your disgusting eyesore propaganda is
deleted by creator
It’s one of the few companies that actually do https://support.modrinth.com/en/articles/8801452-adrinth-modrinth-s-advertising
the sole reason they exist is because everyone was getting pissed at curseforge, the previous most popular place for mods, for shoving useless launchers and ads all over the place
Adrinth ads are fully compliant with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy laws, and fall under the Acceptable Ads Standard. There is only ever one per page, they are less than 120 pixels tall, and they are separate and distinguishable from actual site content.
I strive to take an ethical approach to beating you over the head. My bludgeons are not poisoned and they never weigh more than ten pounds. Please stop wearing a helmet.
There are no ethical ads.
i understand the point of paying creators, but the fundamental nature of advertisements is psychological manipulation. there isn’t really properly ethical ads because the very practice is based on mental warfare
adblocker blocks ads news at 11
The presence of concern implies that their sponsors and affiliates are able to track each individual click
or viewfor their referral links, a practice I am sure most would consider intrusive.That is how affiliate links tend to work. That’s how companies know who to pay.
well i guess that would answer that
Back in the classic roblox days, all of the ads on the platform were created by players and advertised their own games on the platform (roblox is essentially a platform and engine for you to do whatever you want). I don’t know if this has any relevancy, but I enjoyed seeing those “ads” because they were created by players with the intention of drawing support to their creations. I would prefer that over corporations injecting tracking software to advertise irrelevant products
Modding takes a shit ton of work, but it’s sad seeing that a lot of people rely on meager donations to stay afloat. I wouldn’t blame them if they decided to paywall it because people aren’t entitled to anyone’s work for free, but at least a paywall won’t affect random users
these ads are sponsorships by hosting companies etc, not mod developers or players. i mean i suppose some members of the companies could be minecraft players but it’s not necessary to be hired, I’d imagine
I know. Im just saying I preferred the creator-centric ads
We can only hope that this puts enough pressure on these companies and groups to remove tracking from their links.
Tracking doesn’t seem to be a factor in the linked EasyList policy
yeah, but still.
