YouTube is coming for ad-blocking apps – you might need to finally pay up for Premium
YouTube wants you to watch ads or pay for Premium
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YouTubehas escalated its crackdown on apps blocking adverts in its videos, causing some to stop working entirely, stating that they violateYouTube’s Terms of Service.
YouTube posted the details on itscommunity forumexplaining that using third-party apps to block ads likeNewPipewill cause users to have buffering issues or the video not playing and displaying the message: “The following content is not available on this app.”YouTube justified this change by stating that blocking ads “prevents the creator from being rewarded for viewership,” explaining how advertisements support the creators and keep the streaming service free, at least at the entry-level.
However, many professional YouTubers have claimed it’s harder to make a living from ad revenue alone on YouTube and supplement this with paid sponsorships and by using subscription-based platforms like Patreon to continue making money on YouTube.
But, this push could be YouTube trying to encourage more users to pay for YouTube Premium, which offers an ad-free viewing experience instead of using free ad-blocking apps and extensions.
YouTube pointed this out saying that some users prefer an ad-free experience so it offers a paid-for ad-free option with YouTube Premium, which is currently £12.99 / $13.99 / AU$16.99.
Furthermore,Googleannounced that third-party apps must comply with itsAPI Services Terms of Serviceand “will take appropriate action against apps that violate these terms.”
This appears to be an expansion of YouTube’s previous efforts to convince ad-blocking users to either run ads or buy YouTube Premium as part of aproject that tested a three-strikes policyfor users blocking ads.
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Google experimented with banning ad-blockers from theGoogle Play Storein 2016 but later reversed this decision. However, in 2022, Google took a stricter stance bybanning Android VPN appsthat didn’t use the VPN service API from thePlay Store, claiming they interfered with advertising.As developers strive to outpace YouTube’s efforts and find workarounds, YouTube will attempt to protect its ad revenue. Possibly taking legal action, as demonstrated when it issued a cease-and-desist letter to third-party ad-blocking app,Vancedwhich was shut down in 2022.
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James Ide was a writer for TechRadar specializing in phones and tablets, having previously worked at The Daily Mirror since 2016, covering news and reviews.
James loves messing with the latest tech, especially phones due to their incredibly rapid pace of development.
When not surrounded by various devices and/or tinkering with gadgets while putting them through their paces, James has a love of handheld consoles.
He is almost the textbook definition of a geek, who loves sci-fi, comics, games and of course, all things tech. If you think you have a story for him or just want to challenge him at Smash Bros, get in touch.
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