Ever since YouTube came up with new ways to stop people from using YouTube ad blockers, there have been a lot of angry complaints around the internet about slowdowns, lags, and a generally bad user experience. Here is what we know:
YouTube Ads
If you are a fan of YouTube and regularly watch videos on this video sharing platform, you’ve surely had your moments of frustration with its annoying ads.
Of course, YouTube is not to blame for wanting to make good money, but sometimes these ads keep popping up in the middle, start, or end of videos, leaving users annoyed and pissed off.
And the only two ways to get rid of them are to pay for YouTube Premium $10 a month—that’s 120 dollars a year—or to use ad blockers.
What is an Ad blocker?
Ad blocker is a service that blocks all ads on YouTube. There are many services on the internet offering ad block, like Chrome ad block for YouTube, Total AdBlock, AdGuard, Ghostary, and more.
Some YouTube users don’t want to pay, so they go with ad blockers, which are easy and effective.
But well, it affects YouTube and YouTubers’ overall income. So, the company has been trying different methods to prevent adblocker usage.
What did YouTube do?
The first thing YouTube did was inform people by showing this pop-up message: “Ad blockers violate YouTube’s Terms of Service.”
And if people didn’t listen, YouTube wouldn’t let the users continue watching.
YouTube’s move to ban ad blockers has sparked a range of reactions. Many users are frustrated, as ad blockers allow them to skip intrusive ads, improving their viewing experience. For these viewers, the change feels like a loss of control over their content consumption. Some express concern about the increased pressure to tolerate ads or pay for YouTube Premium, while others argue that ads are a necessary part of supporting content creators.
On the flip side, content creators and YouTube itself may welcome the decision, as ads are a significant revenue stream. Creators often rely on ad revenue to support their channels, and YouTube may view this as a way to maintain that income. However, many creators also face backlash from viewers, who are upset by the intrusive nature of ads.
In the broader conversation, the ban highlights tensions between user experience and monetization strategies on platforms like YouTube. While some support the move as a way to ensure creators and YouTube benefit financially, others see it as a step toward forcing monetization on users who prefer an ad-free experience.
YouTube Ad Blocker Lag
YouTube sure has some annoying ads, but considering that using ad blockers is a disadvantage to the company, YouTube is trying new ways to stop it; it’s been 2 days since YouTube adblock users’ have been reporting slowdowns and lags.
At first, the cause of YouTube’s sluggish performance and bugs was unclear. However, upon disabling ad blockers and the immediate effect on performance, everyone is pretty sure this is another way YouTube is trying to get people to stop using ad blockers and just pay for premium.
Has it affected the viewership?
YouTube’s crackdown on ad blockers has significantly impacted its user base and viewership. In October 2023, ad-blocking companies reported a record number of uninstalls, indicating that YouTube’s measures were effective in reducing ad blocker usage. Prior to these changes, approximately 31% of U.S. adults used ad blockers. By enforcing stricter policies, YouTube aimed to increase ad impressions and reach for advertisers, potentially boosting impressions by up to 30%.
However, this move has led to user dissatisfaction. A survey by Malwarebytes in October 2023 revealed that 20% of respondents were unhappy with YouTube’s actions against ad blockers. This discontent could influence user engagement and viewership patterns. In summary, while YouTube’s ban on ad blockers has bolstered ad revenues and advertiser reach, it has also resulted in user frustration, potentially affecting overall viewership.
Alternatives to Ad Blockers
With YouTube cracking down on ad blockers, many users are seeking alternative ways to bypass ads. Here are some popular options:
- YouTube Premium: The most straightforward alternative is subscribing to YouTube Premium. For a monthly fee, users get an ad-free experience, along with additional features like offline viewing and access to YouTube Music.
- Third-Party Apps: Some third-party apps or browsers like Brave or LibreWolf come with built-in ad-blocking features. These browsers can prevent ads from showing on YouTube without violating YouTube’s terms of service, although results may vary.
- DNS-Based Blocking: Services like Pi-Hole allow users to block ads at the network level, affecting all devices connected to the network. While this method can block ads on YouTube, it may not be as seamless as using an ad blocker.
- Ad Blocker Extensions (Not for YouTube): While YouTube blocks many common ad blockers, some extensions or VPN services still provide partial ad-blocking on YouTube, though effectiveness is inconsistent.
- Use of YouTube’s Mobile App: YouTube’s mobile app, particularly on Android, sometimes has more flexibility with ad-blocking than the desktop version.
While these alternatives exist, YouTube Premium remains the most reliable way to fully eliminate ads while supporting content creators.
How to block ad blockers for your youtube content? a guide for the youtubers
To block ad blockers for your YouTube content, YouTube offers a feature that can detect and restrict users who use ad-blocking tools. While YouTube itself enforces this on its platform, creators can encourage users to disable ad blockers by adding messages or pop-ups in video descriptions or during video playback, urging viewers to support creators by allowing ads. Additionally, some third-party services and plugins offer solutions that help detect and block users with ad blockers, ensuring your content’s monetization remains intact. However, it’s essential to balance the user experience, as many viewers prefer ad-free options.
frequently asked questions
YouTube’s rules don’t specifically say you can’t use ad blockers, and using them is legal in the US, Germany, and other places. But the terms mention that users shouldn’t mess with any part of the service, including ads. So, while it’s not directly stated, blocking ads might be against the rules.
According to a post on Reddit, Google decided to slow down YouTube on purpose. To fix it, you can either turn off your ad blocker or upgrade to YouTube Premium. Many users noticed YouTube being slow and unresponsive with an active ad blocker but found it worked fine when they turned off the ad blocker.
It’s recommended to inspect whether your browser extensions, particularly those blocking ads, are impacting video playback. disabling third-party ad blocker extensions could solve the problem.
Final Thoughts
In short, YouTube’s new measures to discourage YouTube ad blockers use have upset many users. They are now facing issues like slowdowns and a less enjoyable experience.
While YouTube’s attempt to address ad blockers is understandable from a business perspective, the recent tactics causing slowdowns have intensified the frustration for ad blocker users, and there’s no clear solution in sight for now.
2 Responses
there is a great solution all along.. how about youtube stop spying people for adblockers. they dont have eny buisness knowing what is on our computers and what apps whe have on our browsers!!!
You have an important point. privacy concerns are definitely a big part of this debate. Many users feel that monitoring browser behavior crosses a line, and it’s frustrating when it leads to issues like lagging or slow performance. However, YouTube’s counterargument is that ad blockers directly affect their revenue and the income of creators who depend on ad-generated income. It’s a tricky balance between protecting user privacy and ensuring fair compensation for content creators.
Ideally, platforms like YouTube could find a middle ground, perhaps by offering better, less intrusive ad experiences or more affordable premium options, so users don’t feel forced into these decisions.