Twitter's ad plan: what the web thinks

Reactions to Twitter's plans to introduce adverts broke into two broad categories: relief that the site had announced a business model which might allow it to continue as a free service; and some doubts that they would be effective or popular. Some people suggested that the adverts – which will appear at first in searches and on the website, and later in the "feed" direct from the site to third-party applications – will either drive the creation of new ad-blocking technology, or create an incentive to create paid-for ad-free accounts, rather as the music streaming service Spotify does. What do you think of Twitter's plan to have "Promoted Tweets"? "Ads on site fine, in API feeds, no thanks. I don't block browser ads, but I'd write a Twitter ad blocking client if it happens" – Lesley Harrison "Promoted tweets will protect Twitter from being sold off, covered in ads and bled dry like MySpace." – Chris Beach "Don't mind idea of targeted promoted tweets. Would prob check some out. Inevitable Twitter must make money" – Mark Jones "Like FB [Facebook], it shouldn't bother mainstream users (the majority audience?) but early adopters / techies may flee obtrusive ads." – Philip Turpin "OK but if Biz [Stone, CEO of Twitter] starts displaying promoted tweets in my Tweetstream, I'd say 'Oi! @biz! No! Shove your ads up your cyberspace'" – TV Pixie "Searches on Twitter tend to return junk. Now it'll be paid junk. Not much difference to me!" – Darcy Kiernan "Sensible – clearly they need revenue & they've gone for least contentious first. Hope paid accs to avoid ads will follow…" – Katy Bairstow "Explains why they need official Twitter clients. The unofficial ones will just start offering adblocking." – Tanya Peasgood "Twitter has to earn, but I doubt an ad-tweet would make me click through. Let's see how creative the advertisers can be :)" – Peter Sigrist "I think only time will tell if ppl click but I think it defeats the purpose. If I want the content, I'll just follow the brand" – David Teicher "I believe it was inevitable. Twitter like most other free services have to make money as well. I like it free so ads are ok" – Trevor A "Would rather see ads than pay, but they need to go slow + make it clear what's ads and what's not" – Sophie Dennis "The ad strategy is the first step into making any free service a payed one IMO. Then go for a subscription service ala Spotify" – Brad "Hate the idea of 'promoted tweets' defeats the purpose doesn't it?" – Finbar Film "Don't see it as a problem. Ads already on ubertwitter. I'd rather scan a sponsored tweet than pay for the service." – Carina Volkes "As long as they are properly tagged 'promoted' I'll just filter them out. If not, it will spell the end of twitter I feel." – Jonathan Ellis