If you’re trying to watch YouTube videos and still using ad-blockers, you might notice a delay in loading times. Users have observed slower load times on Firefox and Microsoft Edge, but a few have also encountered delays on Google Chrome, according to Android Authority.
YouTube said its ad-blocker detection doesn’t target specific browsers.
“In the past week, users using ad blockers may have experienced suboptimal viewing, which included delays in loading, regardless of the browser they are using. Users who have uninstalled their ad blockers may still experience a temporary delay in loading, and should try refreshing their browser,” a YouTube spokesperson told Cord Cutters News via email.
This appears to be the latest action the Google-owned video-sharing platform has taken this year to banish ad-blockers.
In July, with an active ad-blocker, viewers could watch three videos on YouTube’s free tier. After that, the platform would block its content. By September, the video app ramped up its anti-ad-blocker efforts. Viewers with an active ad-blocker said some videos were blacked out completely.
The crackdown aims to drive to drive viewers to the company’s paid tier, YouTube Premium. to drive viewers to the company’s paid tier, YouTube Premium, and protect its ad-generated revenue.
“Ads are a vital lifeline for our creators that helps them run and grow their businesses. That’s why the use of ad blockers violate YouTube’s Terms of Service. We’ve been urging users for some time to allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium for an ad-free experience,” the YouTube spokesperson said.
YouTube Premium offers users an ad-free experience for $13.99 a month, as well as family and student plans. With a subscription, customers can also download videos for offline viewing and access YouTube Music Premium.
Users have voiced their dissatisfaction since the company began blocking content for viewers using the loophole extensions. But as with Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown, the results have actually been beneficial for the company. Google posted third-quarter ad-revenue from YouTube of $7.95 billion, compared with $7.07 billion a year earlier.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect YouTube’s latest statement.