Ask dotTechies: What are your thoughts on third party offers/advertisements bundled with program installers?
July 7, 2010 48
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Day by day we are seeing an increasing number of program installers coming bundled with third party offers/advertisements. Why? Simply because these third party offers/advertisements allow developers to take advantage of a business model that differs from the traditional make-money-by-selling-software mindset and enters the freeware-but-ad-supported system (shareware/commercial software that have third party offers/advertisements are just plain pathetic). After all, freeware developers are only human and they also desire to make money – can’t really blame them for that. The problem is adverts in program installers are notoriously unpopular among users.
Users have come to accept adverts on websites (although some users do block them, most realize that ads are needed to keep a website alive). So, then, why are ads in programs so hated? Isn’t the principle the same – adverts in program installers are needed to keep freeware alive, right? Well the root cause of the problem lies in the fact that adverts bundled in installers started off with useless – and often dangerous and malicious – programs being offered in the ads. While this is now changing, as developers realize that advertisements in programs are potentially a good money maker they are trying to get legitimate advertisers instead of undesirable ones, that sinking feeling about adverts being malicious in installers is still there among users. Plus it doesn’t help that many users often accidentally and unknowingly install third party/unrelated programs because many adverts are opt out instead of opt in.
So, then, that brings me to the main question of this article: What are your thoughts on third party offers/advertisements bundled with program installers? Do you support and encourage them, do you dislike and discourage them, do you dislike but accept them, etc.? To get the discussion started, I will share my opinion first.
As a website owner, I realize how critical advertisements are as a source of revenue. So, I support adverts in software installers (for freebie or freeware software only – not paid/commercial software) simply because freeware/freebie software developers need a source of revenue also. However, the software offerings in the adverts need to be
- 100% legitimate (not malicious or harmful in any way, shape, form, or fashion)
- Opt in (the best way to do this is to have neither “Yes install this” or “No don’t install this” selected by default – let the user select which one they want)
- Clearly labeled as not being a part of the software the user originally downloaded to install
That said, what is your opinion in the matter? Feel free to share in comments below.
I agree completely with your opinions, Ashraf.
If i buy a Volvo car, i do not want to see it loaded with a load of Ford advertising, on my website i run google adds, they pay for the cost of the website, as for being an affiliate to other programs i seldom get any clicks, so advertising does not work for me, seldom do i click on any advertising, if i need or want an item i go out and get it, having said that, software developers need an income as we all do, otherwise we all miss out on the programs they write, often for very little reward, so can one blame them for trying to make a buck or a pound, or even a Euro or two ?
Hi, Ashraf
Unless it is absolutely essential for me, I automatically discard any freeware that I find intrusive. When I say “intrusive”, I mean freeware that makes compulsory to install thirty software during the installation process (even if you can uninstall them separately later). I am who decides what I need and so what I install on my PC, and I expect this level of respect from the developers.
Every toolbar should be opt-in, and have a link to the toolbar producer’s privacy policy in plain language live linked from the install page.
I agree with you.
If I want a toolbar or updating software…or even shortcuts being placed on my system, I’ll simply download and install them on my own….separate from any software package. I find it irritating and bad business practices that software developers include such things with software that cost the user money.
Ads on sites are different, at least in my opinion. Sites need revenue to continue one way or the other and I don’t mind them on trusted sites that I enjoy and support. Others I block in case of malicious or content that I don’t care to see or deal with.
Freeware, it’s more or less expected that they will include some form. They have a right to try and earn revenue as well….though it should be something safe and legit when they attempt to. The problem arises when they include things that they shouldn’t, malicious addins, make it appear that it’s needed….or force the user to keep those included.
This has unfortunately been what most have done in the past, many still do. It’s also what’s been the downfall to many that make the software. Some are looking for that “quick buck” and don’t care how or where it comes from.
It doesn’t matter how good the software is….if users can’t or won’t trust getting it and having it…..it will fail and so will the developers making it. That goes for both Paid and Free software. Trust comes with time and proving it/they deserve trust to be given.
Yes Ashraf, I agree with you. They can’t be blamed for that. After all we are getting their labor for free, so in any way we have to pay them. Either by knowingly disallowing its installation or by unknowingly allowing that.
It is better than getting a free version that is much crippled compared to the paid version.
Me too! I agree 100% with Ashraf & all who agree with him!
Sure, freeware needs “sponsors” or ads, that’s fine. Commercial software, NO! Even shareware, NO! I have never bought a program that uses ads or toolbars, nor if they try any tricks or scare tactics. There is just no reason to, as there are plenty of great software out there that is good solid stuff & doesn’t need to do such cheesy things. I don’t use an ad or popup blocker for sites, but I never buy programs that have ads, toolbars, or other software bundled in it, whether it lets me opt out or not. If it has 1 of those, it gets no $ from me.
If a product has things like that, to me it screams “Look at how bad a product I am!”
Clearly labeled as not being a part of the software the user originally downloaded to install
Bleh,, if it was labelled that well the advertising company won’t allow it anyway ;-)
This isn’t funny, Ashraf! How do I get rid of my dotTech toolbar? And no, I do NOT want to have Locutus as my default search engine!
I’ve never written a line of code in my life, aside from some relatively simple batch files. I stand in awe of people who write programs. Further, I am so thankful to those programmers who, having spent huge amounts of time making their program, then give it away for free. I don’t begrudge them at all making some money from their labour. Even though I’m cheap and rarely send them a donation, I will gladly put up with advertising on their website.
BUT: Much freeware is distributed through other websites, such as Download.com. So people may never even see the programmer’s website. So if another business gives them money for including an optional toolbar in the install program, I have no problem with that. They are easy to opt out of. And even if they are installed by mistake, the extra toolbars are easy to uninstall. (Some years ago I heard of one which was extremely hard to remove; but that’s the rare exception, not the basis of this discussion.)
I fully understand why freeware developers would want/need to include third party ads. I too would prefer the Opt-in option, but at least give us that Opt-out without penalizing us.
It is not worth it to have no choice but to have ads in software.
Truthfully, I still have a few MS-DOS based programs from the 1980′s with advertising, and like many an old hacker I quickly created batch processes with SendKey-like functions to get past them.
Even with web sites, I cannot tell you the last ad that I noticed, let alone read, and I suspect (and see in other comments) that this is not uncommon. With the proliferation of freeware and non-advertised commercial software, I can still find that which does the job for me without ads. It would have to be the “cat’s meow” for me to now settle for something so intrusive, yet unwanted and ignored.
Oh, and by the way, welcome back!
Ads are good – as long as they do not interfere with your ‘work’. Waiting for 30 seconds to install software is not a positive idea – packaging something unwanted is surely a ‘spam’.
Google has made lots of things available for free, thanks to the revenue from ads – a very good example of how websites should be.
Check boxes while installing software are good. Forcing the toolbars is not a good idea. (I remember I had tough time removing ‘Ask’ toolbar.)
For the most part I understand it, being a programer my self and all. On the other hand I’m probally the craziest one it comes to system control!
I happen to prefer the ads method over the toolbar/extraware method. You need ads to help pay fine, I can ingnore them and they don’t impact my system. But don’t give me a program that I don’t need or want that will impact my system. (Even big companies do this! HELLO ADOBE!)
First, welcome back. To answer your question, they blow sulphur dioxide. Nuff said. FYI…your site does not play nice with Palm Pixi.
I’ m ok with add-on software, if I see it on the moment to install it. So I can accept or reject it. In the case of CCleaner, if you don’t take care you install a new search engine on your browser. If I use google…it’s for a good reason. I can choose to clip on a paid ad or to look for the search results in an easy way. I use Internet since 1988 and I never liked yahoo or MSN. I want result and no pub. So I don’t use them and don’t want to be on my PC.
Normally I have no problem with third-party stuff, as long as it is clearly labelled and easily deselected, or even, as has happened in a couple of cases when I was distracted whilst downloading, easily removed after accidental installing. What I do object to is the sneaky approach, where the extraneous stuff, requiring an opt-out rather than opt-in, is only mentioned in small type amongst the sort of verbiage that nobody ever reads. Recently, after one particularly nasty infestation,I found myself having to go into about:config to get rid of an unwanted toolbar and hijacked search engine. Somehow it had managed to hide itself from view, now that did annoy me for some reason.
If they are upfront and very, very obvious with yes/no options OK.
We need a degree of honest commerce to sustain this medium.
Agree with your thoughts on this. I would expect the default to be marked as not agreed ahead of time, with the option of changing to yes or accept. This way if you did not notice and proceeded with install you would not have the third party software added by default. Missed your articles and welcome back. DonB
I’m happy for a programer to make something for their efforts and be able to give it away free , as long as you can opt in without any hassle if don’t want toolbar . For products you pay for , if it means a discount or free [ like giveaway of the day] ok. Opt in , no hassle , otherwise to heck with them.
Agreed as to the need for the developers to make money (although I dislike the intrusion that the ads bring).
However, the problem has been the semi-deceptive way in which the installer ads have been placed, resulting in unwary user installation of toolbars that are not wanted.
IMHO, the situation needs to be reversed, strongly.
For myself, I just ask for a easy way to NOT load ANYTHING else. But I hesitate to suggest it to someone less tech savvy if it is not easier to skip the extras than it is to add them.
I completely agree Ashraf.
I would go further, i hate these extra’s. If i was mad enough to want the ask.com toolbar i would get it myself. I don’t want to go to get my favourite software just to find that i have missed the tiny checkbox to say no and it has installed my most hated adversary.
I wish they would do what CCleaner do and offer a “Slim” version of their download that does not include a toolbar. It is also unfair on those that have a slow internet connection as it means the time to download it is increased needlessly. I get 10mbits, which is 1MB per second, it’s quite fast actually but i still don’t want to download a useless few extra MB of toolbar that i will never want to use!
…necessary evil for freeware only, opt in required
Agree on all points with you!