YouTube’s war against ad blockers isn’t over. After backlash against earlier tactics like unskippable ad marathons, the platform appears to be deploying a new weapon: slowed loading times for users with ad blockers.
Users reported experiencing sluggish video playback, buffering issues, and trouble entering full-screen mode when blocking ads. Disabling the blocker restores smooth performance, suggesting it’s a deliberate strategy. However, the effects seem varied, which might indicate targeted testing or a gradual rollout across regions.
YouTube previously acknowledged “suboptimal viewing” for ad blocker users in November, hinting at wider implementation. This confirms their continued determination to boost ad revenue, either through Premium subscriptions.
Updated 16/1/23: Google has confirmed that the latest slow loading people are experiencing on YouTube aren’t linked to its war against ad blockers. “Recent reports of users experiencing loading delays on YouTube are unrelated to our ad blocker detection efforts,” the company said in a statement to Android Central. “Our help center offers troubleshooting tips for users experiencing issues,” the company added.
