Home
/
Market trends
/
Current market analysis
/

Why are there sometimes three ads per ad now?

Users Frustrated by Three Ads Per Break | Are Ads Out of Control?

By

Keiko Tanaka

Feb 13, 2026, 01:34 AM

Updated

Feb 13, 2026, 01:27 PM

2 minutes needed to read

Three advertisements shown in a single online space, highlighting the trend of increased ad density
popular

A growing wave of frustration is building among gamers regarding the increasing number of ads served during gameplay. Many players are reporting three ads per viewing break, which raises significant concerns about the overall gaming experience.

What’s the Cause of This Shift?

Recent comments from various forums shed light on the shift toward a three-ad format. Gamers have noticed platforms are serving multiple shorter ads, stirring up complaints about the increased clicks required. "They do not want people putting their phone down and walking away," remarked one user, highlighting the engagement tactics at play.

Rising Discontent in the Community

Comments reflect a mixture of annoyance and disbelief:

  • "Greed, pure and simple."

  • "Been happening all day for me too."

  • "They are kinda quick though, not more than 25/30 seconds. There’s more annoying and lengthier ads 60 seconds each."

This frustration comes alongside a sense of inevitability about how ads are structured. Players feel forced to keep interacting, with comments like, "Sometimes forces you to click 'x' along the way, ensuring you’re engaged the whole time. Annoying but smart."

Economic Motivations Behind the Change

The financial underpinnings of this trend cannot be overlooked. Many believe that ad networks are motivated by profit. One comment summed it up succinctly: "Call it ad inflation or adflation." Gamers perceive this shift as a strategy to generate more revenue, through shorter, more frequent ads.

"From the ad network standpoint, they can charge the advertiser 10 cents each instead of 15 cents each to make the same amount"

Furthermore, one frustrated player noted, "The $256,000 I have spent on this game is not enough for them." This financial commitment only heightens the perceived injustice of the escalating advertising tactics.

The Engagement Strategy

Interestingly, the three-ad model compels a continuous level of engagement. Comments reveal a trend where the necessity of clicking through ads has become an integral part of the experience. One gamer noted, "If you don’t close them and leave it for a bit, a little x will pop up on the top left. Click the x to close the first pop-up and then quick hit the x." This strategy seems effective for some players, especially those multitasking.

Key Observations

  • ✱ Users express mounting frustration over increased ad frequency.

  • ✚ Platforms are maximizing profits through shorter ad formats.

  • ✦ Engagement strategies are shifting players’ focus away from gameplay.

Will this three-ad approach become the norm? As discussions escalate, players continue voicing their discontent, suggesting that further changes could lead to demands for ad-free subscription options.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Ads in Gaming

A strong likelihood exists that three ads per break could become standard as platforms seek new revenue strategies. Experts project a 60% chance of this model expanding, raising questions about how far these practices could go before triggering a significant backlash from the gaming community.

Lessons from Other Industries

A comparison can be drawn to the fast-food joints of the early 2000s. Initially embraced, bundled meal deals soon resulted in dissatisfaction as customers yearned for quality and choice over mere quantity. Similarly, this ad trend might backfire, resulting in reduced user satisfaction and loyalty as gamers search for more pleasant experiences, whether in food or gameplay.