YouTube launches global blocking of ad blockers, which was previously tested
Many users have their video turned off
Previously, Google’s restriction on ad blockers on YouTube was just a small experiment, but now the company has started its global implementation. Over the past few weeks, many users with ad blockers installed have found that they cannot watch videos on YouTube. According to Android Authority, the number of such reviews has grown rapidly.
YouTube Communications Manager Christopher Lotuon confirmed to The Verge that the platform has “launched a global effort” to encourage users to allow ads or upgrade to YouTube Premium.
In June, YouTube confirmed that it was turning off videos for users with ad blockers, but at the time Lawton called it just a “small global experiment.” Now, YouTube has expanded these efforts, with a large number of users being turned off.
YouTube claims that the use of ad blockers violates the platform’s terms of service. This year, YouTube has made several changes to the way it displays ads. In May, the company introduced a 30-second ad on TVs that could not be missed, and later began experimenting with longer, but less frequent, commercial breaks. YouTube is probably hoping that its long commercial breaks will make more users upgrade to Premium, but the recent price increase and elimination of the cheapest Premium Lite plan may make this option less attractive.
Users started looking for ad blockers that still work. The number of such services has also increased. Over the past few weeks, several new Chrome extensions have emerged, claiming to help circumvent YouTube’s restrictions. However, most of them do not work properly. It seems that YouTube also blocks some other services that it considers to be ad blockers.
Meanwhile, users are looking for ways to bypass the blocking. We’ve already written about replacing user-agent, but there are still opportunities. X Twitter user Shanjai raj suggested a very simple but not very convenient way: click “Share”, then click “Paste” and watch the video in the player that opens.
Youtube recently started blocking the video player if ad blocker is installed. Here’s a way to get past it:
GET PAST YOUTUBE BLOCKING ADBLOCKERS 🤩
If you want to get past that:
1. Click on share
2. Click on embed
3. Enjoy the video as usual!! 🎉🎉#youtube #youtubepremium pic.twitter.com/80ge5eufrJ– Shanjai raj (@shanjai_raj) October 9, 2023
They also advise logging out of YouTube, as users who are logged in see more ads.
