YouTube's ad blocker ban is going global
Technology
When you block YouTube ads, you violate firm’s terms of service," the company says
(Web Desk) - YouTube takes ad blocking to a global level by forcing users to choose between trying YouTube Premium or allowing ads.
YouTube is no longer entertaining the use of ad blockers. Per a statement shared with The Verge, the video platform is officially taking the experiment it started over the summer that stopped video playback for users who enabled ad blockers, and expanding it out globally.
If a user has ad blockers on and tries to watch a YouTube video, they could see a pop-up stating that they can't watch the video until they allow ads or try YouTube Premium.
If they aren't using an ad blocker, but receive the message, they can report the issue.
These messages tie into YouTube's "global effort" around disabling ad blockers so that creators and other users can benefit.
Of course, YouTube profits too: In 2022 alone, the platform's global ad revenue came out to nearly $30 billion.
"When you block YouTube ads, you violate YouTube’s Terms of Service," the company states on its support page.
"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."
YouTube users have recently noticed an uptick in anti-adblocking practices from the company, with some even calling for a boycott. YouTube Premium costs $14.99 per month.
YouTube started testing out a three-strikes policy for ad-blocking users in June.
