Sr. Pessimist

Web Usability Expert: Users Ignore Ads -- Other Than Google's

I think it comes from the pscyhological state of mind. If you're trying to read an article, you've already found the article you want to read, and so you won't go looking for clues to click on to go to the article. If you're mind, however, is in an inquisitive state of mind, looking, scanning, searching the page for a solution to the information it wants, then you'll look at something, even if it's an ad, and scrutinize whether you can get what you want out of whatever you see, ads or search result contents. That's why ad relevance distinguishes sales from banner advertising.

Good thing. It makes me rethink a portion of my page layout.

Rising Ad Blocker Use Poses Risk to Web Content/Ad Stocks

Advertising must be psychologically acceptable to the user. Maximizing profits at the consumer's psychological expense is unethical and eventually uncompetitive.