There should be a name for this phenomenon. It appears that any service that attempts to remain un-gated eventually will be forced to run ads in order to stay afloat. The ads become more prevalent over time, until an equilibrium is reached. The service is now barely tolerable, with just a high enough content/ad ratio to keep you around but not high enough that the experience is actually pleasant. Say, Pandora, for example. Call it "the dismal equilibrium" or something.