They are one of the most infuriating things for me. But I curious to know why is this a popular pattern in websites. Do people actually stop whatever they were planning to do and watch the video ?

I’ve blocked them on all my devices. But once in a while I see them when I use someone else’s devices and I wonder.

  • AlecSadler@sh.itjust.works
    31·
    3 months ago

    Not me. In fact if it isn’t blocked and I can’t easily get rid of it, I’ll bail on the site altogether.

    Honestly don’t understand what the benefit to anybody is. If I want to watch it, I will, if I don’t, I won’t. They’re just making the overall experience worse.

    I assume it’s some bonehead manager that thinks it looks cool or will increase engagement though.

    • some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org
      9·
      3 months ago

      Exactly. If a site tries to shove things down my throat so much that it prevents me from accessing the part that I want to access, fuck em. I close the tab.

    • Valmond@lemmy.world
      5·
      3 months ago

      Look boss we have ‘engagement’ up 700% now! Everyone looks at the video!! Well, at least 5 to 15 seconds it seems but not more hmm gotta fix that too now…

    • eco_game@discuss.tchncs.de
      5·
      3 months ago

      I find it even more puzzling as surely it has to be a decent increase in server demand to constantly be streaming video. How can that be worth it??