If you’re a fan of YouTube and ad blockers, here’s your warning. YouTube is getting strict with ad blocker users while promoting its Premium tier subscription plan.
YouTube generates revenue for both the streaming service and content creators by either playing ads or having members sign up for an $11.99 monthly individual subscription plan ($119.99 per year). Ad blockers have been a little loophole around this for quite some time, but YouTube is saying enough is enough.
YouTube ran a limited test of this ad block blocking system last month with select users and it appears to have implemented this as a new policy from here on out. If you try to play a video while an active ad blocker is in place, a pop-up notification will appear, displaying the following message:
Video player will be blocked after 3 videos:
- It looks like you may be using an ad blocker. Video playback will be blocked unless YouTube is allowlisted or the ad blocker is disabled.
- Ads allow YouTube to stay free for billions of users worldwide.
- You can go ad-free with YouTube Premium, and creators can still get paid from your subscription.
There’s also a link to click to report an issue if you’re truly not using an ad blocker but see the message anyway. We’ll have to wait to see if more people sign up for YouTube Premium or opt to continue with the free ad-supported system. It’s unlikely that YouTube will see people leaving the platform altogether, but it’s not out of the question for some users.
Ad blocker creators probably will find more ways around the policy, though be careful with installing new versions as they could contain malware. And keep in mind that you only get three chances before your account is permanently blocked.
Note, YouTube isn’t saying you have to uninstall ad blockers, just add the platform to your list of trusted sites. Google Chrome outlines how to make an exception for YouTube:
- On your computer, open Chrome
- Go to a page you trust that has blocked ads
- To the left of the web address, click Lock Lock or Info Info
- To the right of “Ads,” click the Arrows Arrows
- Select Always allow on this site
- Reload the web page