In an effort to combat the use of ad-blockers, YouTube is intensifying its crackdown on these browser extensions. Numerous Reddit discussion threads have shed light on the issue, with users reporting difficulties in loading YouTube properly or encountering black screens when an ad-blocker such as uBlock Origin is active on their browser.
One Cord Cutters News reader shared via email, “Recently, many netizens on Reddit reported that the YouTube website stopped loading when using the uBlock Origin plug-in in their browser. When the plugin is disabled, the page will start loading normally again.” However, YouTube has not yet provided any official comments regarding this matter.
Several Reddit users specifically mentioned having to disable uBlock Origin, an ad-blocker browser extension, in order to access YouTube. Upon downloading and enabling the uBlock Origin extension on Microsoft Edge, some users experienced videos on YouTube losing sound. While they could still view videos on the main page, no sound was present. However, after closing and reopening YouTube, the sound resumed. It appears that the ad-blocking system may be more stringent on Google Chrome, as numerous Reddit users encountered problems on that browser.
For instance, Reddit user Redforce850 reported a black screen issue on their Google Chromebook, which resolved after disabling the browser extensions. Similarly, SpinninAndChillin faced a black screen when uBlock Origin was enabled. On the other hand, some users such as Various-Flamingo-591 did not encounter any issues with uBlock Origin while using Firefox, although a few users still faced complications on this browser.
Amidst these reports, it is worth noting that YouTube has been striving to eradicate the use of ad-blockers. In July, the video platform experimented with a blocking system, preventing video playback until the ad-blocker was disabled. The recent Reddit discussions indicate further implementation of this system. Google, the owner of YouTube, amassed $7.6 billion in ad revenues by the end of the second quarter of 2023. In an attempt to increase ad viewership, YouTube has been testing various strategies such as a smaller “Skip Ads” button, 30-second un-skippable ads, and longer ad breaks.
To provide users with an ad-free experience, YouTube offers a premium tier known as YouTube TV. At present, they are running a limited-time offer where users can subscribe for $65 per month for the first three months, with the price increasing to $73 per month for the YouTube TV base plan thereafter.
If you have faced difficulties loading YouTube while an ad-blocker was enabled, share your experience in the comments section.
