Quarter of Australians use ad blocking: IAB
A quarter of Australians use ad blocking when surfing the net, a survey from IAB Australia has found, a drop from 27% last October. Desktops and laptops are the preferred devices to have ad blockers installed on, with 21% of people using them, while only 5% of those surveyed used ad blockers on smartphones. The study found blocked content is the main reason for turning off an ad blocker, with half of people asked by a website to turn off an ad blocker doing so. A total of 25% whitelisted the site and 5% deleted the ad blocker. Viruses are the main reason for installing ad blockers.
A quarter of online Australians use an adblocker, according to new research from IAB Australia.

The ‘Ad Blocking in Australia’ research, which was conducted by Pureprofile for IAB Australia, found 25% of online Australians currently use the technology, down from 27% in October 2016.

The decline in adblocker usage came despite an increase in awareness of the technology up from 59% to 63% of Australians.

Desktops and laptops remain the preferred device to install adblockers at 21% with just 5% of Australians installing ad blockers on smartphones.

The research found blocked content remains the key driver for turning off an ad blocker. Of the 71% of people to be asked by a website to turn off their adblocker, 50% have turned off the technology for that site, 25% have whitelisted the site, while 5% have deleted an ad blocker as a result.

Viruses are the primary driver for installing an ad blocker, although people also have concerns over the quantity and intrusive nature of digital ad formats.

Vijay Solanki, CEO of IAB Australia, said, “Whilst it is positive news that the use of ad blocking appears to be stablising in Australia, it is imperative that the advertising industry continues to double down on our efforts to evolve and improve the ad experience for consumers.”

“As mobile emerges as the channel of choice for many consumers, it will be key to ensure that mobile advertising respects the close relationship that a consumer has with their mobile phones and adheres to the LEAN principles of providing lighter, relevant and higher quality advertising experiences.”

The research follows similar findings by eMarketer in the UK which revealed one-fifth (20.9%) of UK internet users will use adblocking software this year.