How about a Premium subscription for users who don't want ads? Akin to Reddit Premium, perhaps with further bonuses / gamification. Maybe they can pay in BTC or fiat directly, so as not to impact Steem/SBD price. Or better still, the subscription can be spent in Steem but burned. (More of a long term benefit for Steemit Inc. and the Steem economy.)
There's going to be a lot of FUD about how Steem now has ads, be prepared for clear communications and clarifications that Steemit.com is only one dApp on Steem.
PS: In fact, I see some in this comments section - imagine the form they'll take outside of Steem.
Brilliant idea. Of course there are some free solutions like ad blocker, brave browser or simply using another GUI but yeah, I'd take a premium subscription every time, especially considering the good track record of Steemit Inc at handling money.
None of those solutions help Steemit, though. The Steem network needs them to survive and thrive.
That's a great suggestion actually. Premium subscription for users who don't want ads.
As long as they don't like the money and start charging every single user ;)