I also noticed the new player icon appeared today without even restarting Opera. OK, this isn't cool anymore...

It's because Opera was updated to a new version/build. But it's another discussion.

I also noticed the new player icon appeared today without even restarting Opera. OK, this isn't cool anymore...

It's sad to see that Opera has become adware. This long time and loyal user will be switching to a less intrusive browser.

Anyone know?

Opera is still the best browser but it takes a dangerous turn into the world of ads testing us how much can we deal with and still keep using it. I'm telling you, you're on thin ice here and pretty close to loosing your most valued users who recommend Opera to others.

How do I get rid of that % button?

Click on the three dots on the top right of the panel and then on don't show it again

But for me, things like this black friday advertising or suddenly amazon being one of your bookmarks on the home page over and over again makes me rethink if it's the browser I want to use

so I clicked it and bam! This is what came next:

Really? Is this what Opera has now become? Ads all over the place? First speed-dial then this... it looks like it'll be necessay to consider a diferent browser if this trend continues. I've been using Opera since its first version and I always told people that Opera is the browser. You're doing great in convincing me that this is no longer the case.

How do I get rid of that % button?

I just wrote a request in the section of the forums where one can post suggestions, in case it's more visible for people that could actually do something about it, here's the link to that thread: https://forums.opera.com/topic/45371/stop-forcing-ads-on-people

Sod it, I'm out. On what grounds was that request merged with this thread? It was properly written, in the appropriate section and to raise awareness of the situation. A properly formed suggestion or feature request, not a discussion thread (which this is).

This thread is in the "Opera on Windows" category and the other one (which you can read now as a reply here) was for Opera in General. This is what I can see now : https://vimeo.com/484084352

Good luck Opera users, last straw for me I'm afraid, I really do hope things change for the better for you.

As for closing the ads I am able to close it in different OSes, at least on Windows I had no trouble doing it now on a Windows 10 running 20H2. I recorded a little video showing where the X appears to close that section or to be reminded the next day (???).

Interestingly, it seems the section doesn't load right away with the new tab even if it has all of the sites removed from the speed dial. It pops up after a little while (or the machine was running slow because of the recording software, it's also possible).

Here it is: https://vimeo.com/484075343

When a user decides to opt out of all of the "features" that are bundled with the browser regarding shopping and ads (i.e. Continue shopping and Continue on Booking.com on the new tab, speed dial "suggestions", promotional notifications, promoted speed dials and bookmarks, etc.), it should be abundantly clear that what they want is a clean experience.

They're not interested in any of that, at least I know I'm not, and yet we were shown a 11/11 ad section on new tab and now a Black Friday ad section as well. What is the rationale behind that? Because it's not a fluke.

I take it you earn money or something thanks to it, and I may speak only for myself, but I'm sure as hell not interested in any of those things, to the point that I consider it to be spam, pure and simple.

The funny thing is that you had the balls to bundle an ad blocker with the browser, but it doesn't apply to the browser itself huh? I mean come on guys/gals! Keep the crap out of it FFS, realize you're not the only browser out there, the good things about Opera may not be enough to keep people using it if behavior like this keeps up.

PS. Same could apply to the notifications to use certain features like the screenshot function, Flow, workspaces, messaging in the sidebar, Opera GX, etc. Stop bugging users with those things, you already explain them on first use.

When a user expresses their desire not to see this kinds of adds shoved everywhere (new tab, side bar, etc.) by disabling the several options about it within settings, why do you keep forcing things like these? I couldn't care less about them, that's why I chose to disable anything to do with spam in the new tap page.

It only alienates users and with the myriad of alternative browsers out there, why should we stick with Opera when things like these are ignored? Not a single word from the company nor any intention of changing their ways.

Right now, there are a couple of features I'm used to and I like about Opera, but if this keeps up make no mistake, I'll have no trouble adjusting to something else.

While I don't know how many users are like me, or if we're representative in any way of the Opera userbase; but I urge you to listen to your users (I don't even know if anyone in a position to do something about it actually reads this, but what else can users do?).