YouTube's Latest Move Against Ad Blockers: Video Delays

[MacRumors]

YouTube is deliberately slowing video loading for users with ad blockers enabled, in what appears to be an escalation in Google's campaign against ad-blocking extensions.

Multiple users across Reddit and the Brave browser forum report videos displaying black screens for the typical duration of pre-roll ads before content begins playing. The video player simultaneously shows a pop-up ("Experiencing interruptions? Find out why") with a link directing users to a Google support page about disabling ad-blocking extensions, suggesting the slowdowns are intentional.

The recent crackdown is a shift from YouTube's previous tactics of simply displaying warning messages or blocking video playback entirely. The new approach inserts artificial delays that mirror the time you would spend watching advertisements, basically forcing the same annoying time investment, whether ads are blocked or not.

It looks like specific user accounts previously flagged for ad-blocking behavior are being targeted, potentially bypassing detection methods that extension developers typically use to counter YouTube's measures. PCWorld confirmed the behavior using uBlock Origin Lite, while Brave browser users report similar experiences despite the browser's built-in ad-blocking capabilities.

Pop-up users see during delays (Image credit: PCWorld)​

This latest move suggests YouTube is prepared to significantly degrade the user experience for non-paying users who refuse to view advertisements or subscribe to the $13.99 monthly YouTube Premium service, which offers an ad-free experience, offline downloads, and background playback.

For what it's worth, YouTube recently introduced a Premium Lite plan for $7.99/month that removes ads for most videos, excluding music content, Shorts, and when you search or browse.

Article Link: YouTube's Latest Move Against Ad Blockers: Video Delays

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

There are ways.

 

[FSMBP]

I really hate this business model...YouTube was ad-free when it launched in 2005 - 2010ish. It purposely bent the rules to drive viewership to their site and make them the best video service in town.

Then over the past decade once they established pretty much a monopoly, they forced disruptive ads. And now they crammed more ads per minute. And they can do so because there isn't a comparable alternative.

This business model sucks.

 

[Parowdy]

Nothing new?
On my iPhone (been using YouTube in Safari for over 7 years) I’ve had a black screen before every video (with ads) for almost a year now…
Swiping down and refreshing the page does the trick though. I suspect CMD-R on Mac will work the same.
I also like to use the PiP shortcut, which is obviously only working in Safari.

Edit: if anyone wants the YouTube Picture-in-Picture shortcut, feel free to reply. Sharing is caring, and I care about restricting AND geofencing SYSTEM features, just not the way Google does.

 

[DunedinD]

I’m fine with dead airtime. Still not seeing filthy advertising. Win for me!

 

[tomtad]

I mean that's their business model, you watch ads or you pay to have them removed. As annoying as it is there's no right to view YouTube videos ad free.

 

[JM]

Will Epic Games come and save us from all the unfair, monopolistic business practices?

 

[fatTribble]

I wouldn’t mind subscribing to eliminate ads, but I just don’t want to give money to google.

 

[d4zza]

Since lots of nonsense moved to TikTok, I’ve found YT one of the best sites, particularly for education. Without ads or premium subscription, the content wouldn’t be there. I’m happy to make the choice I’ve made to pay for premium. Yes I could watch ads but as I say, I’m happy with my own decision.

 

[d686546s]

I would rather watch a black screen than ads.

I admit there is an argument for a paid subscription, but I just don't find it worth it. They have every right to cut me off, I'm not entitled to anyone's content, but at that point I'd rather read a book.

 

[mr.datsun]

Been seeing instances of this for a long time on my iPhone when using Safari.

 

[MilaM]

I would rather watch a black screen than ads.

I admit there is an argument for a paid subscription, but I just don't find it worth it. They have every right to cut me off, I'm not entitled to anyone's content, but at that point I'd rather read a book.

You don't even have to read a book. We are essentially drowning in content nowadays. I don't even have enough time to catch up on the ad-free shows I watch on the streaming services I'm already subscribed to 🤷‍♂️.

 

[StevieD100]

I wouldn’t mind subscribing to eliminate ads, but I just don’t want to give money to google.

It isn't only your money that you are giving Google, it is your data. That's what they want.
Use a VPN and private browser windows the very least to hide your location. Ok, so if you are really perverse about that you will have to suffer ads for say, US or German or wherever users. They can fling all the ads the like at me but I will never buy anything from an online ad. I hate all ads.

 

[spyguy10709]

I really hate this business model...YouTube was ad-free when it launched in 2005 - 2010ish. It purposely bent the rules to drive viewership to their site and make them the best video service in town.

Then over the past decade once they established pretty much a monopoly, they forced disruptive ads. And now they crammed more ads per minute. And they can do so because there isn't a comparable alternative.

This business model sucks.

At least it was suitable when creators had control over the monetization. But now, even "non monetized" content has unskippable ads. How does that work?!

 

[t0rqx]

Time for the EU to step-up.

 

[Seanm87]

I have YouTube premium and still get ads by all these "channel sponsor" crap creators shove down our throats.

 

[Rradcircless]

They just don’t understand I'll take ads that aren't this excessive in presence and duration. I stand against them because they overdo it. This new tactic won't make me bend the knee and pay my way.

 

[BelgianChoklit]

Youtube can try all sorts of things, the ad blockers and customers they're abusing will always find a way to bypass their tricks.

I think that most people agree content creators deserve to be paid for their work. And I think most people understand the concept that you either pay for the content, or you accept having to watch ads so the content creators get paid this way.

However the way youtube is forcing super expensive subscriptions that include stuff people are not asking for (youtube music) is not how they'll push people to subscribe. And putting 3x1 min ads in a 7 min long video is unacceptable. Spamming people with ads and making subscriptions super expensive is not a good strategy. So people will keep turning to ad blockers. And I myself find joy in that. Give me a fairly priced youtube only subscription and I'll pay!

 

[WarmWinterHat]

It isn't only your money that you are giving Google, it is your data. That's what they want.
Use a VPN and private browser windows the very least to hide your location. Ok, so if you are really perverse about that you will have to suffer ads for say, US or German or wherever users. They can fling all the ads the like at me but I will never buy anything from an online ad. I hate all ads.

I don't really use Youtube...maybe 1/2 hour/month, so I don't worry about it..but my kids definingly aren't going to do that. They want to be logged in and have all their viewing history available and recommended videos.

 

[gigatoaster]

I’m a bit puzzled by the success of YT and why is it popular. Are there really interesting contents and meaningful? All I hear on the rare case I go over there is “please subscribe”. For ads, I’m sure there will be an update to bypass, it’s a cat game and it will always be.

 

[JosephAW]

Never use the app except on my Apple TV which is loaded with ads, every time it says 30 seconds or more for an ad by pressing the back button and playing again you might get a five second ad which is much more tolerable.

 

[RootFayel]

Can we have a legit competitor to YT already.

 

[spaxxedout]

Hero stack is YouTube Premium + UnTrap for removing stories, comments and recommended videos.

 

[klasma]

I'm somewhat surprised that YouTube ad-blocking still works and YouTube isn't splicing the ads right into the regular video stream.

 

[RootFayel]

Will Epic Games come and save us from all the unfair, monopolistic business practices?

One can hope 😆😆.