As part of the test, users watching YouTube with ad blockers enabled will receive multiple requests to disable them before video playback is disabled .— Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash
YouTube is currently conducting a test on disabling video playback for users that make use of ad blockers on the platform.
According to a statement from the video-sharing website given to The Verge, the experiment is being run globally. The company urges viewers using ad blockers to either disable them on the website or alternatively try out YouTube Premium.
As part of the test, users watching YouTube with ad blockers enabled will receive multiple requests to disable them.
However, if they ignore the requests, they will receive another notice stating that video playback would be blocked after three videos.
In an email to The Verge, Google spokesperson Oluwa Falodun writes that: “Ad blocker detection is not new, and other publishers regularly ask viewers to disable ad blockers.
“We take disabling playback very seriously, and will only disable playback if viewers ignore repeated requests to allow ads on YouTube.
“In cases when viewers feel they have been falsely flagged as using an ad blocker, they can share this feedback by clicking on the link in the prompt.
“We want to inform viewers that ad blockers violate YouTube’s Terms of Service, and make it easier for them to allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium for an ad-free experience.”
YouTube Premium is priced at RM17.90 a month in Malaysia and comes with ad-free viewing, background playback, and YouTube Music Premium.
The platform had previously faced backlash from users back in September last year when it had tested running five unskippable “bumper” ads in a single video.
