Not liking ads on YouTube? Buy the premium plan, as there is no other way now. YouTube is cracking down on users who use free YouTube with ad blockers. If you are caught doing so, YouTube will block it every single time. While YouTube relies heavily on advertising revenue, many users are not willing to pay for a subscription, which is why they use ad blockers. This makes it difficult for YouTube to generate revenue, which is already a challenge for Google’s video streaming platform.
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YouTube has decided to stop tolerating freeloaders. According to reports, the company is broadening its efforts to crack down on ad blockers. It has launched a global effort to encourage users to allow ads or try YouTube Premium. Many Reddit users even reported getting a notification from YouTube on every video they are watching while keeping their Ad blocker on.
“Video player will be blocked after 3 videos- It looks like you may be using an ad blocker. Video playback will be blocked unless YouTube is allowed or the ad blocker is disabled” reads the notification as seen in one of the screenshots shared by a Reddit user.
It further prompts users about YouTube’s stance on ad blockers. The company already confirmed that it was disabling videos for users with ad blockers earlier in June, now the company is reportedly even blocking some video from being played if the ad blocker is turned on.
“The use of ad blockers violate YouTube’s Terms of Service. We’ve launched a global effort to urge viewers with ad blockers enabled to allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium for an ad free experience. Ads support a diverse ecosystem of creators globally and allow billions to access their favourite content on YouTube,” said YouTube communications manager Christopher Lawton in a statement provided to The Verge.
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Lawton further emphasises that using ad blockers on YouTube violates its terms of service, and that ads are necessary to support creators and provide free access to content for billions of users.
Notably, YouTube has made several changes to its advertising strategy this year. In May, it started showing 30-second unskippable ads on its TV app, and it is now testing longer but less frequent ad breaks on TV as well. These changes are likely an attempt to encourage more users to subscribe to YouTube Premium, its ad-free service. However, a recent price increase and the discontinuation of its more affordable Premium Lite plan may make Premium less appealing to potential subscribers.
Currently in India YouTube is offering 4 plans including:
One month: Rs 139 without auto-renewal,Rs 129 with auto-renewal and free access for a month
Three months: Rs 399
Twelve months: Rs 1,290
YouTube Premium offers an ad-free experience, exclusive features, and a subscription to YouTube Music. While Premium offers extra benefits, users can cancel their membership at any time. A family plan allows users to share their membership with up to five other household members.
