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Is your YouTube experience suddenly sluggish when using an ad blocker? You’re not alone. Reports indicate that Google is actively throttling YouTube videos for users who employ ad-blocking software.
The move marks a significant escalation in Google’s ongoing battle against ad blockers. For years, users have relied on these tools to bypass the increasing number of unskippable ads plaguing the platform. Now, it seems Google is taking more drastic measures.
Last week, some users reported being completely blocked from watching YouTube videos with ad blockers enabled. Google cited violations of YouTube’s terms of service as the reason.
The latest tactic involves intentionally slowing down video playback. Frustrated users have taken to online forums to report the issue.
One user on the Brave browser forum described their experience: “…most videos will be black screen for the length of an ad or two with YouTube saying ‘experiencing interruptions’…is there anything I can do.”
Others report encountering a “three-video countdown,” urging them to disable their ad blocker or face a block. Ignoring the warning leads to video playback being restricted until the browser is updated and restarted. Some users are seeing pauses of 5-10 seconds per video, accompanied by an “Experiencing interruptions? Find out why” popup.
Clicking the popup redirects users to a Google support page, which suggests disabling ad-blocking browser extensions.
An AdGuard representative characterized the situation as a “classic cat-and-mouse game,” as users continually seek new ways to circumvent ads.
While Google pushes its YouTube Premium subscription ($14/month) as an ad-free alternative, many users remain resistant, seeking to block ads without paying a premium.
The situation remains fluid, and it’s unclear how long these new measures will last. However, one thing is certain: the battle between YouTube and ad blocker users is far from over.
What are your thoughts on YouTube’s actions? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Source: PCWorld, Brave Browser Forum