Shell out or face delays: YouTube is broadening the implementation of slowdowns on the site for users employing ad blockers.
Last year, YouTube initiated the deliberate slowdown of its site for users utilizing ad blockers. Recent reports from affected viewers suggest that this strategy is now being extended to a larger user base. As ads constitute a substantial revenue stream for YouTube, the platform aims to discourage ad blocking, a move that has sparked controversy among users who perceive themselves caught between intrusive ads and subscription fees. The initial phase of YouTube’s anti-ad blocking measures featured popup messages notifying users that ad blockers violated the platform’s Terms of Service, prompting them to disable the blocker to continue.
YouTube has now escalated its efforts to directly disrupt the user experience by intentionally slowing down site performance. A report from 9 to 5 Google has underscored Redditors’ grievances, citing instances where YouTube encounters lag, buffering problems, and various glitches specifically when users have an ad blocker enabled.
YouTube appears to be implementing an artificial timeout or bandwidth constraint, simulating a sluggish internet connection. Users with ad blockers encounter difficulties loading videos, experiencing issues with preview generation, and finding fullscreen mode unusable without a refresh.
This renders YouTube impractical for ad-block users, who now confront a decision: disable their ad blocker and endure video ads, or opt for the Premium subscription, offering an ad-free experience.
YouTube asserts that ad blocking goes against its terms of service as its business model heavily relies on ads. Critics argue that an excess of ads compromises the user experience. This clash is likely to intensify as YouTube strengthens its ad presence, while users resist the pushback.