November 6, 2023 YouTube’s recent crackdown on ad blockers is having the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of deterring users from blocking ads, it’s prompting them to switch to better ad blockers or even new browsers.
According to a report from Wired, hundreds of thousands of users have uninstalled ad blockers in October, seemingly in connection with YouTube’s broadened crackdown. However, the same report shows that record-breaking numbers of people are also installing alternatives that won’t be caught in YouTube’s net.
Ad blocker companies like Ghostery and AdGuard have both reported a surge in uninstalls, but they’re also seeing a corresponding increase in installations of their paid versions. This suggests that users are willing to pay for ad blocking software that can bypass YouTube’s restrictions.
Some users are even going as far as to switch to new browsers, such as Microsoft Edge, which has a built-in ad blocker that YouTube hasn’t yet blocked. Others are turning to third-party solutions like Newpipe, a YouTube-like website that’s capable of running videos from the platform without ads.
Experts from the industry are warning that YouTube’s efforts to stop ad blockers could have unintended consequences. For example, more complex blocking tactics could lead to the creation of security holes.
The sources for this piece include an article in AndroidAuthority.
