Video sharing site YouTube has reportedly begun using pop-up windows to warn users against the use of ad blockers after it began testing a feature to detect them earlier this year.
The platform’s users have taken to Elon Musk’s X to voice their concerns and frustrations over YouTube’s perceived ‘crack down’ on the use of ad blocker tools, which are a violation of the site’s terms of service.
PSA to anybody using AdBlock on YouTube – don't ever disable your AdBlocker and allow YouTube to run ads for your account. If you show Google that you are willing to forgo your AdBlocker for YouTube, they will make this new AdBlock ban a permanent change pic.twitter.com/NdQPEOhcwa
— Alzter (@Alzter_S) October 9, 2023
The pop-up message reportedly blocks the users from viewing any videos until they wither disable their ad blocker or set it to allow YouTube to run ads. It also encourages users to sign-up for the ad-free YouTube Premium, at a cost of £12 per month.
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According to tech news site The Verge, YouTube prompts have also warned users that their ability to view videos will be cut off after watching more than three with an ad blocker turned on.
Google spokesperson, Oluwa Falodun told The Verge: “We take disabling playback very seriously, and will only disable playback if viewers ignore repeated requests to allow ads on YouTube.
“In cases when viewers feel they have been falsely flagged as using an ad blocker, they can share this feedback by clicking on the link in the prompt.”
