YouTube Doesn’t Want You to Use Ad Blockers, to Block Video Playback if Caught Using One

Isaiah Richard, Tech Times 29 June 2023, 11:06 pm

If you are using an ad blocker when watching YouTube to avoid the ads, that worry-free and ad-free experience is soon coming to an end. The company is now testing out a feature that would block users' video streams after playing three videos with an ad blocker on, and this may soon be present on all YouTube users in the future.

The company enforces ads for its monetary gains, known for its long enforcement of ads on the Basic streaming account for all.

YouTube to Block Videos if You're Using an Ad Blocker

(Photo : StockSnap/ Pixabay )

As first reported by Android Central, YouTube is testing a feature that is appearing for a small number of global users where it would block the videos you are streaming when using an ad blocker. More specifically, YouTube would block the screens out when the system detects you are using an ad blocker after playing three videos.

While not all ad blockers are necessarily blocking ads on YouTube, those who use it to get away from not subscribing to its paid tier want users to allow YouTube ads when using one.

According to The Verge, this new feature would issue warning prompts to those using ad blockers in their YouTube streaming experience and would ask them to allow ads or turn them off.

It Wants You to Try YouTube Premium

A Google spokesperson told The Verge that detecting ad blockers from certain apps is not a new thing anymore, and other companies that detect them also ask users to turn them off to avoid getting the warnings.

Instead of using ad blockers, YouTube is suggesting that users upgrade their account and sign up for YouTube Premium, the company's ad-free subscription tier for as much as $11.99 for Individuals or $22.99 for the Family Plan.

YouTube's Ads and Premium

There are more ads in YouTube's basic and free tiers compared to before, and this is because the company is strengthening the use of its Premium subscription. The YouTube Premium gives users no ads, with uninterrupted and unlimited streaming for the entire month they are paying for it, with new tiers coming soon for Android, and Google TV.

Recently, YouTube introduced a price hike on its Premium tier, and the decision to do so comes with additional features that users in YouTube Premium get to take advantage of. One of the latest features to arrive is Multiview Streaming which allows more than one screen to play the video uploads on the platform for more entertainment.

This new test from YouTube is setting up a future where users either need to sit and watch with ads, or to upgrade to a Premium account for an uninterrupted streaming experience. For now, this feature is only a test, but this means that YouTube is limiting the use of third-party tech to enjoy an ad-free stream, especially when you are not paying for it.