Consumers say "No"

As many as 73% of web users have left a favourite website because of intrusive or annoying ads, according to research, with gambling and financial service ads coming off the worst, according to independent research, conducted by Opinion Matters for HowTo.tv showed that the figure rose to 84% among 25-34 year olds -- an increase of over 20% on the 2007 findings. (Internet users refuse to put up with intrusive ads

Email is going the same way, with users seeing emails as spam, not because they are unsolicited, but because they are not relevant (see my Blog Relevance is key to email success).

Google has halved the length of time that it will store user data in fear of a consumer backlash.

Visitors come to websites to serve their needs not yours. Whilst they accept that you need to generate value from their visit in order to support the service, putting your needs ahead of their is a risky business.

Successful Internet businesses work because the service that they offer focuses on giving the user what they want. Monetisation is either done by aligning the users activity with sites revenue model, or by making sure that any conflicting need (for example, advertising) doesn't detract from the user experience. After all, if you don't have any visitors, it doesn't matter how much monetisation you include, you won't make any money.

Also read ... previous blog FT shows the Internet is still "free"