YouTube’s Latest Move: Users Running Ad Blockers Can No Longer Watch Videos
If you’ve ever tapped to start a YouTube video on your phone or tablet only to see the end of the video right away, don’t worry – you’re not losing your mind. This could be a sign that you have an ad-blocker running on your device. Last Halloween, we mentioned that YouTube was cracking down on ad-blockers in an effort to encourage users to sign up for a premium ad-free version of the app.
YouTube has been taking steps to combat the use of ad-blockers, as they not only violate terms of service but also prevent creators from getting paid for their hard work. Google recently implemented a new strategy where YouTube videos load slowly or skip to the end if an ad-blocker is detected. Once the ad-blocker is removed, users can enjoy the complete video without interruptions.
A recent Reddit post shared a video demonstrating how YouTube content goes straight to the end for users with ad blockers installed on their devices. Some viewers have reported that while they can watch videos on YouTube with an ad blocker, there is no audio until the blocker is disabled. Google’s strict approach comes as no surprise, considering that YouTube ads generated $8.09 billion for parent company Alphabet in the first quarter alone.
In addition to ensuring creators are compensated for their work, Google is also encouraging users to sign up for YouTube Premium, which offers an ad-free experience. With plans starting at $13.99 per month for individuals, $22.99 per month for families (up to five members), and $7.99 per month for students after a free one-month trial, there are options to suit everyone’s needs.
For those looking to bypass ads without subscribing to Premium, Android Police suggests using a VPN and setting the country to Albania since YouTube’s advertising platform does not support Albanian language yet. Keep in mind that using a VPN may slow down your data speeds.
While ads may be seen as annoying by some, it’s important to remember that there are 86,400 seconds in each day – taking a few seconds to watch an ad before enjoying your favorite YouTube content isn’t such a big deal after all.
