Ever get frustrated watching yet another unskippable YouTube ad? Have you been happily relying on an ad blocker to avoid them? You may have to get familiar with ads, as YouTube has begun detecting and prohibiting ad-blocking tools.
Here’s all you need to know about YouTube’s new ad-block rules.
In June 2023,The Verge reportedthat YouTube was testing a three-strike rule for viewers using ad blockers. At the time, the crackdown was called “a small experiment.” By October 2023, it had graduated from an experiment to a rule—YouTube announcedthat blocking ads violated its terms of service.
InYouTube’s Terms of Service, which you agree to before using the service, it’s stated that you can’t bypass or interfere with the video-sharing platform in a manner that restricts or limits the platform and its services. By blocking ads, you limit YouTube’s primary means of supporting creators.
More importantly, blocking ads hinders YouTube from making money to keep its service free. If ad blockers hinder ad performance for advertisers and they stop running YouTube ads, it could be a big financial blow for the service.
Another reason is the hope that banning blockers may push viewers frustrated with the ads to YouTube’s paid Premium subscription, which removes ads legitimately. Although upgrading isn’t the only thing you cando when YouTube detects your ad-blocker, it’s the only way to get rid of unwanted ads.
You either get on board with an ads-riddled experience or pay for an ad-free experience afterconsidering if YouTube Premium is worth the cost.
YouTube’s new ad-block rules align with its goal to maximize ad views and revenue. There’s likely no end in sight for YouTube’s ad enforcement. Based on YouTube’s actions over the past years, it’s more probable that this ad-block ban is even the start of increased ad enforcement.
In 2020,YouTube announceda new “right to monetize” section, which meant that creators outside the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) would also see ads on their videos, even though they wouldn’t get a share of the revenue.
YouTube has progressively increased the number of ads on most videos; pre-roll, post-roll, skippable, non-skippable, and bumper ads are now commonplace. In September 2022,9to5Google reporteda concluded YouTube ad experiment featuring up to ten unskippable ads to reduce ad breaks for viewers—it is better to watch everything at once than intermittently.
Looking ahead, it’s probable that YouTube will continue pushing more ads and solicitations for Premium sign-ups.
You might have relied on ad blockers to enjoy an ad-free video streaming experience, but that era is ending. Because of the financial implications of ad-blocking, YouTube will now detect your ad blockers, give you warnings, restrict you from watching videos, and may even suspend your account.
If you’re frustrated by the mandatory ad-viewing, you’d have to upgrade to YouTube Premium or opt for other video-sharing platforms.
