Study: Internet users dislike online ads

Posted by Clara Martínez Turco on August 23, 2010 at 3:05 PM

Only 17 percent of Internet users find online advertising to be appealing and most people considered it to be "intrusive, repetitive, unappealing and cheap," a study conducted by Connect Insight revealed, NewMediaAge reported today.

However, younger audiences are more willing to accept online ads as 24 percent of the 16-to 34-year-olds do think this type of advertising is appealing. Nonetheless, 50 percent of those over 55 years old said they avoid websites where ads would pop up and "interrupt their online activities," NewMediaAge explained.

Photo source: Physorg.com

"It illustrates the need for advertisers to understand their target audience, their online behavior, mindset and attitude to advertising in order to deliver impactful online communications," director of Connect Insight Faye Weeks said when commenting the survey results, Media Week quoted.

The agency explained that the differences in opinion among age groups are related to the early Internet experiences that older users had. Back then advertising was used in an intrusive way, while now the younger generation directly interacts with brands and companies through social media.