New Anti-Adblock Tactic: YouTube Allegedly Throttles Video Playback
YouTube is once again facing accusations of employing aggressive tactics against ad blockers, with a growing number of users reporting significant slowdowns and interruptions in video playback when ad-blocking software is active. This alleged “throttling” appears to be the platform’s latest manoeuvre in its long-standing campaign to drive users towards either disabling their ad blockers or subscribing to YouTube Premium.
Widespread Reports of Slowdowns
A lengthy thread on YouTube’s subreddit has garnered over 200 comments from users sharing similar experiences. The common complaint involves videos taking several seconds to load, with the player remaining black as if waiting for an unskippable ad to finish. This “lag” is consistently reported by users who have ad blockers enabled.
They’re slowing down performance if you use an adblocker
byu/One-Celebration-3007 inyoutube
Further fueling user suspicions is a new “Experiencing interruptions? Find out why” button that appears when a video is clicked. Numerous users confirm that this prompt only surfaces when an ad blocker is active. Clicking the link reportedly redirects users to a Google support page, which lists browser extensions, including ad blockers, as a potential cause for playback disruptions.
A Familiar Tactic in the Anti-Adblock Crusade
YouTube has previously faced accusations of intentionally slowing down video experiences for users with ad blockers. Similar reports emerged in 2023, which the platform later confirmed were part of its concerted effort to combat ad blocking. At that time, Google stated its purpose was “To support a diverse ecosystem of creators globally and allow billions to access their favourite content on YouTube, we’ve launched an effort to urge viewers with ad blockers enabled to allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium for an ad-free experience.”
Previous tactics employed by YouTube in its anti-adblock crusade have also included blocking streaming access entirely after detecting an ad blocker multiple times.
Targeting All Users, Even Unauthenticated Ones
Although some initially speculated that YouTube was throttling logged-in users known for using ad blockers, subsequent reports now show that the platform is also targeting non-logged-in users with ad blockers enabled. This suggests a broader, more indiscriminate approach by the platform.
YouTube’s Stance and the Revenue Imperative
YouTube’s consistent argument in its fight against ad blockers centres on the need to support its creators and maintain a free platform. Ad revenue is a crucial component of this model, and ad blockers directly impact this income stream. YouTube Premium, its paid subscription service, offers an ad-free experience while still compensating creators.
The ongoing “cat-and-mouse game” between YouTube and ad blocker developers continues, as the platform seeks to protect its revenue streams while users search for ways to customise their viewing experience.
