Screenshot: BleepingComputer
YouTube is testing a new approach to prevent viewers from using ad-blockers while watching videos on its platform. Some users are getting a pop-up notice warning them that their video player will be blocked after three videos. The new alerts are part of an experiment that urges viewers with ad-blockers enabled to allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium. The warning says YouTube will block their ability to play videos on the platform unless they disable their ad blocker or add the website to their white list. YouTube says in a notice that these ads "allow YouTube to stay free for billions of users worldwide." And if you want to go ad-free, it recommends you get a YouTube Premium subscription.
The website has confirmed that it might temporarily disable playback in "extreme cases" where viewers continue using ad-blockers. The spokesperson added that they will only disable playback if viewers ignore repeated requests to allow ads on YouTube. At the moment, this new approach only affects a small number of users, and YouTube didn’t say how many people and regions are part of the test. With the platform seeing ad revenue decline, we won't be surprised if it tries to recoup that this way (at least partly).