Survey reveals how YouTube’s latest anti-adblock move is impacting users
Source: Android Authority
YouTube’s war against ad blockers is not new, and the platform is even right in its pursuit of monetization. Its most recent tactic to dissuade ad‑block users was to start blocking comments and video descriptions for those users, even if they paid for YouTube Premium. We asked users whether they were affected by this change, and for the vast majority, YouTube worked just fine with an ad blocker.
For most people, YouTube works just fine with an ad blocker
Our poll received 3,389 votes, and 1,863 voters (55 %) reported that YouTube has been working just fine despite using an ad blocker.
- nascardriverburak101 – “I use ReVanced, ad‑free YouTube app on TV, and AdBlockers without problem.”
- zablez69 and jamiecarversolo – confirmed that Brave also works without issues.
- VPN use is popular among users like isjami, ncpeakon, and smileyface400 – “I get around YT’s anti‑adblocker garbage by VPNing via Albania, where they don’t serve ads anyways.”
Many didn’t notice the latest changes because they pay for YouTube Premium, or watch ads
723 voters (21.3 %) said they couldn’t notice any changes because they either pay for YouTube Premium or simply watch the ads.
- joshlambert66 – “Yet my YouTube Premium has no ads and doesn’t hide content, it’s almost like you get what you pay for. All these people complaining that their free way around a paid service doesn’t work anymore need to go get a job.”
- augustineantony7 – “I cannot see a problem with what YouTube are doing… I watch ads since I won’t pay for premium… If anyone has a problem then pay for premium.”
Several users did face issues, though
Problems with comments or video descriptions
A notable 618 voters (18.2 %) reported trouble accessing the comments section or video descriptions.
- Rusty Harris – “I use YouTube to WATCH videos… not comment on them. If they got rid of the comments, it wouldn’t bother me one bit.”
Other issues
185 voters (5.5 %) experienced a variety of other problems.
- dmrlogistics133 – “I don’t use an adblocker, but YouTube keeps telling me I do—very annoying, as I only use it for FAQs for games.”
- gy1xxx – “YouTube adverts are getting worse, there are so many and you can’t block them. Some are very dodgy; I send reports to YouTube but they keep coming back—almost unwatchable.”
- zzxap19 – “Because I watch YouTube on my TV I always skip the sponsor message. As of last night this fast‑forward is not available. The progress bar goes red and will not let me fast forward or rewind. I’m paying for Premium Light so these are really the only ads I see but it’s annoying.”
Recurring reports of NSFW ads
Several Android Authority articles have documented NSFW ad incidents on the platform:
YouTube’s overarching message is clear: pay for Premium or watch ads. If you choose neither, be prepared for a cat‑and‑mouse game with ad blockers.
Personal note: The YouTube Premium Family subscription is my most value‑oriented subscription, given how much my family and I use YouTube and YouTube Music. Even though it costs a pretty penny, it’s worth it for the time saved from watching ads and the headache avoided from trying to dodge ads (or broken experiences) across all our devices. The cat‑and‑mouse war against ad blockers makes the subscription even more of a no‑brainer.