Millions risk being blocked from watching YouTube videos over ‘wrong setting’ as Google issues warnings to users
USING Ad blockers could risk your full access to watching YouTube videos in a new test against them.
YouTube insists that ads allow it to stay free for billions of users worldwide and is running a small experiment globally on those who are blocking them.
Some targeted ad blocker users will receive a warning that says their video access will be blocked after three videos, according to YouTube’s warning.
The block was first spotted by a Reddit user on Wednesday.
The move comes as YouTube conducts an experiment to urge viewers to consider the platform when deciding if ad blockers are the right choice, YouTube told Bleeping Computer Saturday.
The online video giant owned by Google is also warning some users that it will not let them use its platform if they decide to use ad-blockers.
“We’re running a small experiment globally that urges viewers with ad blockers enabled to allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium,” YouTube said.
The warning says: “Video players will be blocked after three videos.”
“It looks like you may be using an ad blocker. Video playback will be blocked unless YouTube is allowlisted or the ad blockers is disabled.
“Ads allow YouTube to stay free for billions of users worldwide.”
YouTube directed users to subscribe to its YouTube Premium if they would like to remove ads and still support creators.
“You can go ad-free with YouTube Premium, and creators can still get paid from your subscription,” YouTube said.
In the future, Youtube said that it plans to temporarily disable playback for users with ad-blockers in “extreme cases,” Bleeping Computer reported.
“In extreme cases, where viewers continue their use of ad blockers, playback will be temporarily disabled. We take disabling playback very seriously, and will only disable playback if viewers ignore repeated requests to allow ads on YouTube,” Youtube said.
“To prevent disruption as part of this experiment, viewers using ad blockers may disable their ad blocker, allow YouTube ads, or subscribe to YouTube Premium.”
Overall, YouTube is hinting at the importance of ads for its platform.
Ads are how YouTube is able to pay people who make videos through it.