Widely Cited Ad Blocking Study Finding $21.8 Billion Loss Is Incorrect

In recent weeks, multiple news outlets — including The New York Times, Fortune, and The Wall Street Journal — published stories based on a study that claimed publishers will lose $21.8 billion dollars this year due to ad blocking.   The study’s claims quickly sent waves through the advertising and publishing industries, parts of which applied the word “crisis” to the situation.$21.8 billion is a scary number — certainly one large enough to justify such reactions. Except for one thing: it’s not accurate.