Google reveals major YouTube crackdown that will block you from ‘avoiding ads’ with trick – the alternative is costly

G0OGLE is launching a fresh crackdown on a popular trick used to avoid ads on YouTube.

The search engine giant will now block you from watching videos if you break the rule.

1

Google is targeting ad-blocking apps on your smartphone.

These apps are designed to let you watch YouTube videos without having to endure ads.

But Google says this can’t continue, and will now prevent users from watching videos if they’re taking advantage of these apps.

“We’re strengthening our enforcement on third-party apps that violate YouTube’s Terms of Service, specifically ad-blocking apps,” a YouTube spokesperson explained.

“Viewers who are using these third-party apps may experience buffering issues or see the error ‘The following content is not available on this app’ when trying to watch a video.

“We want to emphasize that our terms don’t allow third-party apps to turn off ads because that prevents the creator from being rewarded for viewership, and Ads on YouTube help support creators and let billions of people around the world use the streaming service.”

Like with regular TV, YouTube serves up ads to generate money that funds the service.

And it also pays some of these ad earnings to creators who fill the app with content.

But many users prefer to use ad-blocking apps to avoid the ads.

Google said it would begin a crackdown on these users last year.

“We’ve launched a global effort to urge viewers with ad blockers enabled to allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium for an ad free experience,” a Google spokesperson said last year when the crackdown began in 2023.

“Ads support a diverse ecosystem of creators globally and allow billions to access their favorite content on YouTube.”

Now Google is also targeting users on mobile as part of its ongoing war on ad-blockers.

AD TO GO?

If you really hate ads, there is an official option you can take advantage of.

Google offers a service called YouTube Premium that removes ads.

YouTube Premium costs $13.99 a month and can be cancelled at any time.

Alternatively, you can pay an annual fee of $139.99 – which is cheaper than the $167.88 cost of paying for 12 individual months.

Ads support a diverse ecosystem of creators globally and allow billions to access their favorite content on YouTube

Google

Its main perk is that you can enjoy an entirely ad-free version of YouTube where your videos won’t be interrupted.

But it has some bonus features too, including the ability to download videos for offline viewing.

You can also enjoy Background Play, letting you watch listen to videos featuring music or podcast content while using other apps – or with the screen lock.

And you’ll also get access to Google’s YouTube Music app, where you can enjoy ad-free listening too.

Google will be hoping that many users who can no longer block ads will turn to paying for YouTube Premium instead.

This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk