YouTube is experimenting with measures to discourage ad blockers, including increased load times and video skipping. These tests aim to encourage viewers to consider YouTube Premium. Users have reported several issues with ad blockers, including no sound, videos freezing, and videos skipping directly to the conclusion.
In 2022, YouTube shut down the popular third-party app YouTube Vanced, which offered ad-free viewing, among other features. Following this, YouTube took aim at ad-free viewing with blocker tests in 2023, demonstrating its efforts to encourage users to subscribe to its paid subscription, YouTube Premium.
Later, in 2023, users reported being unable to play YouTube videos if the platform detected an ad blocker. YouTube also implemented a three-strike system, which meant users received three warnings before ad blockers would be completely blocked and videos wouldn’t play. After the strikes were used up, users were likely prompted to disable ad blockers or subscribe to YouTube Premium.
In January 2024, reports emerged of YouTube testing slower loading times for viewers with ad blockers. Now, it seems they’re trying a new tactic. Users with ad blockers are encountering videos that immediately skip to the end upon playback. According to 9to5Google, disabling the ad blocker resolves the issue, suggesting this is another test by the platform.
To maintain its ad-based model, YouTube wants users to see ads unless they pay for Premium. However, some determined viewers find ways around this. Reddit users report success with ad blockers like uBlock Origin, while others use plugins like Ad Speedup to fast-forward through ads at speeds up to 16x automatically.
