YouTube Trial Warning for Ad Blocker Users, Only Allowed to Watch Three Times

Word of YouTube cracking down on its own ad-blocking users has been circulating since last May, when they ran a new experiment to circumvent ad-blocking using Ad Blockers.

Users who have an extension such as AdBlock on their browser will receive a warning pop-up. Previously, a Reddit user with username Sazk100 reports it is getting notification pop-ups.

The notification asks the user to disable ad blockers in a browser or subscribe to YouTube Premium to continue watching YouTube videos. The pop-up can still be closed by clicking the cross in the upper right corner.

About 27 percent of internet users use some kind of ad blocker to trick ads that appear on various platforms without having to pay for the service. The figure represents the loss of a large portion of YouTube advertising revenue.

Reportedly, YouTube employees have confirmed the warning is an experiment.

“We’re running a small experiment globally encouraging users with ad blockers to allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium,” said a Google spokesperson. Extreme TechThursday (18/5/2023).

“Detection ad blockers is nothing new, and other publishers regularly ask viewers to turn it off.”