Let’s be honest – YouTube ads are annoying for most of us as they interrupt the viewing experience. The popular video-sharing platform lets users enjoy the content for free. The only solution to ad-free viewing along with other benefits is getting a paid YouTube Premium subscription. However, there are plenty of ad-blocking tools that let viewers bypass the ads. This is all set to end as YouTube has confirmed that it is expanding the crackdown on ad-blockers. 

YouTube confirms crackdown on ad-blockers

YouTube started blocking ad-blockers earlier this year as a part of its small experiment. The popular video-sharing platform is now intensifying its global effort to take a stance against the practice of blocking ads via various tools. Despite receiving backlash from users during the small experiment, YouTube aims to convince users to either go for a Premium subscription or disable ad-blockers. 

In a statement to The Verge, YouTube Communications Manager Christopher Lawton said “The use of ad blockers violates YouTube’s Terms of Service. Ads support a diverse ecosystem of creators globally and allow billions to access their favorite content on YouTube.”

If a user uses ad-blockers, they will get a notice that says “video playback is blocked unless YouTube is allowlisted or the ad blocker is disabled”. Users will also be prompted to allow ads or try YouTube Premium. Additionally, the video-sharing platform will warn that the video player will be blocked entirely if users continue to use ad-blockers after three videos. 

YouTube’s stance on ad blockers is understandable considering that ad revenue is the biggest source of revenue for the platform. The company introduced 30-second unskippable ads to its TV app earlier this year and also experimented with longer but less frequent ad breaks on TV. 

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