The YouTube adblocker party is over. The video platform just cracked the sh*ts about us peasants looking at its content without watching the two or three ads stacked together every 5 nanoseconds.
YouTube has now declared that if you block YouTube ads “you violate YouTube’s Terms of Service.”
They said, “If you use ad blockers, we’ll ask you to allow ads on YouTube or sign up for YouTube Premium. If you continue to use ad blockers, we may block your video playback. To avoid the interruption, allow ads on YouTube or sign up for YouTube Premium.”
Ad bombardment
While YouTube complained about adblockers, they might want to take a look at how their viewers got there.
For those who use YouTube for their music playlists, you would know without ad blockers, the platform stacks two or even three ads between EACH SONG.
While there is nothing wrong with any company seeking to monetise content, would they be able to stop people from working out ways around having to watch ads or pay premium? Already on Reddit, there were threads offering workarounds.
From now on, YouTube said they would give users of adblockers a warning: “Video playback is blocked unless YouTube is allowlisted or the ad blocker is disabled.”
YouTube adblocker apps: Are they holding up?
So far, my ad blocker for YouTube is holding up well, and I never see an ad. And I access all sorts of content, including my playlist on a daily basis. However this could change and I could get a virtual smack on the wrist.
This was not the first time YouTube addressed the issue of ad blockers. In June, the platform initiated a limited experiment that disabled video playback for users employing ad-blocking software. This action was characterised as a “small experiment”.
But it was deemed a success, and YouTube is getting hard-ass on us and is widening its net. Recent reports indicate users with ad blockers installed have experienced difficulties accessing YouTube content.
YouTube said the use of ad blockers undermined the platform’s ability to support creators and make content accessible to a global audience.
Other enforced ad strategy
In addition to its campaign against ad blockers, YouTube introduced unskippable 30-second ads on its TV app in May. It also began experimenting with longer ad breaks on television. These moves could potentially drive more users to opt for the ad-free YouTube Premium subscription (in Australia that is $13.99 per month).
However, a recent subscription price increase and the discontinuation of the more affordable Premium Lite plan might influence users’ decisions.
YouTube’s latest campaign against ad blockers shows us just how important the platform’s ad-based revenue model is to it. But will the ad blockers prevail? Let’s keep watching.
