Google Testing Subscription Service that Blocks Ads from Participating Websites

[[Coi] Mr.CLuBBeR]

Pay $1 to $3 a month to block ads

Would you pay to get rid of ads on a website? That is the question being asked as Google has announced its Google Contributor subscription service, which would block ads from a participating website for a fee. Suffice to say, this announcement comes as a surprise considering that Google’s lifeblood is advertising.
"Today’s Internet is mostly funded by advertising," said Google. "But what if there were a way to directly support the people who create the sites you visit each day?"
Google's Contributor program is not only a way for readers to directly support their favorite websites but also provides an alternative way for website owners to pay the bills. Participants choose how much their monthly contribution would be, the current range is $1-$3, and then they simply visit the participating sites. Part of the contribution will go to the participating website, or websites, you visit where you’ll see a “thank you” message and a pixilated panel where an ad would normally be.
There are not many websites participating in the program, but the ones that are involved include Urban Dictionary, The Onion, Science Daily, WikiHow, Mashable, and Imgur. And for those who wish to participate in the program, they will need to be invited and put on a waiting list.
While the idea is an intriguing one, is it a solution to an old and established business model that has, in some cases, become a nuisance to readers? What about those of you who make use of an ad blocker? Is the concept of Google Contributor one you would switch to as a way to support a website?
Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
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