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Comment by yellow_postit | Hacker News Reader

Nit: Advertisers, or at least those with deep pockets, hate controversy. That drives advertising platforms to hate it. Though the fact that X hasn’t hemorrhaged even more money seems to be finding where that argument intercepts the value for views advertisers will place.

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The only ads I see on X these days are from Apple. There used to be more variety.

I almost only see ads on Twitter/X on the rare occasion I visit it anymore, I very rarely used to.

Really? I wish I saw Apple ads, I mostly see a barrage of clickbait products that fall somewhere between "late night infomercial" and "obvious scam".

Nay: The Vox Populi hate controversy. Like any cancellation, the masses bombard something demanding a pound of flesh. To avoid controversy and pacify the masses, platforms cave. There is no downside for YouTube demonetizing someone that has been accused of anything. If it turns out to be completely false, then YouTube will say they were acting out of an abundance of caution. If then the exonerated person seeks redress, YouTube can just shrug and say where else are you going to host content?

That isn't it. Advertisers have repeatedly shown a huge willingness to court severe controversy. They use obese people to advertise swimwear, they run ads that tell men that they're toxic and terrible.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/gillette-woke-now-when-...

“These are smart people, they do so much research. They know they’re taking on a topic that could be controversial," said Rob Baiocco, co-founder and chief creative officer of BAM Connection, a New York-based marketing firm.

The actual thing motivating these people is simply hatred towards anyone who doesn't bend the knee to their new religion. That's it, that's all there is to it. Beyond that, there is no motivation.

You gotta love conspiracy theorists.

They’re able to come up with the most contrived scenarios, but the idea that money in the form of profits is driving advertising decisions is apparently inconceivable.

It's driven by the observation that it can't be about money here because YouTube is still collecting that money.

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