And I don’t mind ads. In fact, I like that most social networks endeavor to show me ads based on my interests and search history. While ads can often be intrusive and obnoxious, I actually appreciate some of the newer ways that the sites show me ads. Most social media platforms show clearly labeled ads as a normal part of the feed. That works well. I kind of admire those ads that are fixed in the browser as the article itself scrolls by. Well done, web designers.
But all this irritation is, of course, the result of the nature of the web. The not-so-subtle superpower of a web page is that it can basically do whatever it wants when you request it. Clicking on a link puts you at the mercy of the page designer. The browser can do a lot to support you here, most notably blocking the dreaded popup windows, but a browser can’t force a site not to use those aggravating user interface “features” that make your browsing experience unpleasant.
I’m sure that the socials have their reasons for thinking features like the “See more…” link are a good idea. I can’t imagine what they are, but someone clearly thinks they are worthwhile. But ultimately, they are trying to do my thinking and choosing for me. I’m the expert on what I want to see, not some user interface designer in Silicon Valley. The choices should be mine.
