Google

Is it just me, or does Gmail actively trick you into clicking ads?

This has happened so many times to me that it’s become routine to look and realize I’m on an advertisement. I’m wondering if I’m the only one, or if Gmail is actively moving their ads to intercept clicks.

Fake emails in gmail

The setup – I see a folder with 10 or so new emails in it. I start checking off the emails for deletion. The advertisements when I start are a few down or not evident. Suddenly the view refreshes (usually I’m at about second or third checkbox tic,) and while all my check boxes for deletion are maintained the spot where I was about to click to check of another checkbox is a hyperlink to an advertisement. I’m in that advertisement now.

I originally thought my PC was just under heavy load – the things I did to the old machine were near constant load, all the time. But the new machine’s not, and I noticed now I’m clicking those Gmail ads all the time. I’m also noticing that the entire line, star, white space, etc, is all a hyperlink to the ad.

Considering I pay Google for their music, ad free YouTube, Google One (which includes Gmail storage,) Nest, this … not a great feel. (I would add we use them at work as well, but what’s coming out of my pocket is what’s annoying me at the moment)

While I’m not entirely convinced they’re deliberately intercepting my clicks, I am convinced they know I’m spending a chunk of change each month on them and those fake email ads need to go.

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Paul E King

Paul King started with GoodAndEVO in 2011, which merged with Pocketables, and as of 2018 he's evidently the owner. He lives in Nashville, works at a film production company, is married with two kids. Facebook | Twitter | Donate | More posts by Paul | Subscribe to Paul's posts

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