News + Trends
YouTube launches worldwide video blocking for adblockers
by Florian Bodoky
YouTube brake is probably due to adblocker
15.1.2024
Translation: machine translated
YouTube continues to fight against the use of ad blockers. However, according to the latest findings, they are probably not to blame for YouTube's long loading times. Contrary to initial assumptions, the problem lies with adblock software.
Update (16 January 2024, 12:45): Google is probably not to blame for YouTube's slow loading after all. As it turned out today, the problem is probably a bug in the latest version of the Adblock Plus programme. This means that previews cannot be loaded. The theatre and full-screen view on YouTube also only works if the entire website is reloaded. In addition, buffering videos takes a particularly long time.
On Gitlab the developers of Adblock Plus themselves refer to the errors in the current version of their programme. The faulty version is Adblock 5.17 and Adblock Plus 3.22. Both have received an engine update today - version 1.1.2. After the update, YouTube should work normally again.
In the cat-and-mouse game between YouTube and adblockers, the cat has made a new move - at least if users on Reddit are to be believed. YouTube's website is said to load significantly slower when an adblocker is used. And apparently in several areas.
According to the information, the website is fooled into believing it has a slow internet connection. The page itself, the search for videos and also buffering during videos are said to take significantly longer. There are even reports of timeouts - in which case an error message appears. In addition, the full-screen and theatre views of YouTube videos do not work properly.
Watch adverts or cancel your Premium subscription
YouTube operator Google calls this "suboptimal viewing". If visitors want to leave this mode and use YouTube normally, they should deactivate their adblocker. Adverts will then be displayed, but the speed will return to normal. Alternatively, users can purchase a YouTube Premium subscription for a fee.
YouTube has been taking various measures to prevent the use of ad blockers for several months now. In the past, user accounts have also been blocked and only unblocked after the adblocker has been deactivated.
For their part, suppliers of ad blockers are constantly trying to find new loopholes to allow their customers to enjoy free and ad-free video. An investigation into whether YouTube's actions violate European law is still ongoing.
Header image: Shutterstock
I've been tinkering with digital networks ever since I found out how to activate both telephone channels on the ISDN card for greater bandwidth. As for the analogue variety, I've been doing that since I learned to talk. Though Winterthur is my adoptive home city, my heart still bleeds red and blue.
Computing
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
146 comments
later