YouTube Worldwide Crackdown on Ad-Blocker Usage
YouTube has initiated a worldwide crackdown on ad-blocker usage, employing warnings that alert users about violating the platform’s terms of service. Users may now face restrictions on viewing additional videos unless they disable their ad blockers.
The video streaming giant began testing these measures in June, displaying messages informing users that the video player would be blocked after three videos if the ad blocker remained active. Recently, YouTube confirmed to The Verge that it has launched a “global effort,” urging users to either subscribe to YouTube Premium or allow ads. Complaints on the r/YouTube subreddit highlighted various warning formats regarding ad-blocker usage.
Ad-Blocker Promotion Amidst YouTube Efforts
Notably, amidst YouTube’s efforts to combat ad-blockers, users have observed multiple ads promoting ad-blockers on the platform. While the specifics of the limitations imposed on users with ad-blockers are not explicitly outlined, YouTube emphasized that “the use of ad-blockers violates YouTube’s Terms of Service.”
With 80 million paid users across its Music and Premium tiers, YouTube is exploring avenues to increase this figure. Experimenting with different approaches, Google has conducted tests that involve users paying to watch videos in 4K resolution or enduring multiple unskippable ads for an uninterrupted viewing experience.
In a bid to diversify its ad offerings, YouTube introduced 30-second unskippable ads for TVs in May and tested longer but fewer ads for long-form content in September. In July, the platform raised the monthly subscription price for its premium plan by $2 for individual users.
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