How can it be that ads are such a big thing on the Internet?

I don’t get it. Nobody (?) ever clicks those awful ad links. And by “those”, I’m referring to things like what you’ll see on parked domains, for instance. Those generic looking ads without any targeted audience or memorable message whatsoever.

For sure, I do understand the potential for great revenue, when it comes to ads that are neatly presented, less obtrusive, sometimes temporarily tied to a specific event, and most importantly, targeted towards an audience that would actually feel they have a need for the products advertised.

But again, so many ads out there are just begging to be ignored. Yet, they exist by the masses… And I’m wondering, how can people earn money just to let people pop in on a parked domain, just to pop out from it faster than you can say “Adieu”... ?