Obey
For all of you who prefer your browsing ad-free, there could be trouble brewing. It turns out that YouTube does not like people using ad-blocking software on its website, and it’s getting to the point where the company is looking to enforce some rule changes on that front.
In a post on Reddit, user Reddit_n_Me uploaded a screenshot of a message from YouTube warning that the “video player will be blocked after three videos.” The reasons behind this, according to the message, are down to the use of an ad blocker, before insisting that ads are beneficial to YouTube and how users are free to sign up to the official Premium account if they do not wish to be exposed to advertisements while watching content.
YouTube cracking down on if you're not paying them to block the ads, it hurts me, and hurt you.
byu/Reddit_n_Me inyoutube
Now, it’s tempting to dismiss this as just speculation based on a random screenshot. However, this information has been corroborated by The Verge, in which YouTube did confirm that the video platform will be taking a “harder stance against ad blockers.” Google spokesperson Oluwa Falodun said that publishers “regularly ask viewers to disable” any ad-blocking plugins they have installed.
An excuse to sell more subscriptions
Going forward, it looks like YouTube will begin issuing warnings to users who persist in blocking ads, which will then lead to viewing disruption. This could mean that, unless the blocker is disabled, you may find yourself limited to just three videos. Currently, this is still in the experimental phase but could become site-wide eventually.
As has already been pointed out, you can always opt for YouTube Premium for ad-free watching. However, at $11.99 a month, on top of the other subscription services you may already have, not a lot of people will be happy being forced to pay for YouTube.
Ads are a sore point in the current information age, especially when it comes to gaming and streaming content. Many feel advertisements have become pervasive, which is why a lot of users install blockers. However, it now looks like the big tech wigs are fighting back, but this crackdown could lead to people avoiding YouTube altogether.
