Google Software Engineer Designs Plug-In to Call Out Native Ads

Ian Webster spends his working hours as a software engineer at Google, but in his free time, he's championing the cause of unsuspecting news and blog readers who can't make heads or tails between journalism, independent postings and brand-sponsored content with the AdDetector.

Those who install the plug-in on their Chrome or Firefox browsers will see a bold red line indicating any native ad as such, and noting who paid for it, on 50+ online media outlets, including Buzzfeed, The New York Times, Forbes and The Atlantic.

On the AdDetector site Mr. Webster explains that the goal of the plug-in is to "improve transparency in media and on the web," and he welcomes suggestions for sites to be added to the list.