YouTube is one of the largest video platforms and is used by billions of people worldwide. Currently, the portal is testing important changes that would ban ad blockers. Numerous comments on social media show: The community is far from enthusiastic.
Why are ad blockers so important for many users? Advertisements have proven to be an important source of income for video creators. However, the interruptions are perceived as annoying by many users – especially since not every ad can be skipped. The consequence was the installation of ad blockers to bypass annoying ads.
But that could soon come to an end.
In a tweet on May 10, Dexerto writes that YouTube is currently testing a way to block ad blockers. The image shows a list of prompts that ad blocker users are currently supposed to see:
- Apparently you are using an ad blocker
- Advertisements on YouTube allow free usage for billions of users worldwide
- With YouTube Premium, you watch ad-free and simultaneously support video creators
After that, there is an option to choose between “Allow ads” and “Try YouTube Premium.”
Here you see the original tweet:
In a statement to the US site Dexerto, a spokesperson for YouTube confirmed that they are currently conducting a global experiment. The goal is to encourage viewers to allow ads or try YouTube Premium.
What is YouTube Premium? It is a paid subscription service from YouTube that offers users additional features and benefits. Subscribers enjoy ad-free videos, access to YouTube Music Premium, and can download and watch videos offline.
A funny video you might want to check out is here:
Without an ad blocker, many users see dark times ahead
How is the community reacting to the ad blocker ban? According to a moderator of a Reddit thread on the topic, he was contacted by an employee of the video platform who confirmed the experiment. The moderators are against the initiative, but at the same time, they ask the community to remain objective in the discussion.
The majority of the community appears to be quite upset in the comments. Here are a few quotes:
- lamented1ne writes: “This will trigger a shitstorm if they actually go through with it”
- Past-Crazy-3686 writes: “YouTube is barely watchable in its current form without an ad blocker”
- Fortyseven writes: “That would mean I would stop using YouTube”
- mewkew writes: “You [YouTube] are really completely crazy”
One user tries to motivate the community: “Don’t worry, YouTube is one of the largest websites in the world. Once the feature is fully implemented, ad blockers will receive a patch within days.”
The tweet from Dexerto is also hotly debated. Some users write that the ban on ad blockers will be beneficial for content creators. “As a longtime user and creator, I have yet to encounter an ad that I cannot skip or that lasts longer than 15 seconds.” One influencer writes:
“If there are so many ads that your users go out of their way to download and use ad blockers, then maybe YOU are the problem, not the people that use them.” (via Twitter)
So far, there seem to be no indications from YouTube in the German-speaking area regarding a ban on ad blockers. It remains to be seen if and when this will concern us as well. Since it is a global experiment, we will surely see the notification sooner or later.
Until then, you can check out the new survival series of the winner of 7 vs. Wild on YouTube – with or without an ad blocker.
