[Zoner]

I've done some research on Internet adversiting techniques through my work as a web usability specialist and what I've found is this: Banner advertising on web sites does not work.

I'm not sure how it works for the owner of this site, but I assume he gets paid micropayments every time an ad is served to a visitor. I could be wrong, but I think that's how it works. The real question is how do the advertisers make any money. You're right in saying that people are losing money with these things because they're seen as an annoyance.

Web users have a goal in mind. Whether that goal is to see naked pics of Jennifer Love Hewitt or to find the latest mod for MOHAA; they have a PURPOSE for being online. Pop-up ads are an obstacle to achieving said goals, hence they are viewed negatively.

Even regular banner ads on sites (i.e that don't pop-up) are highly ineffective. Most users participating in a study in a controlled lab environment didn't even notice them, let alone click on them.

So, yeah...I have no idea why companies still shove these pop-ups down our throats. The only companies making any money on ads are the ones who make pop-up killers.