YouTube users are reporting that the video platform is accusing them of using adblockers when they aren't. The accusations are frustrating enough, but YouTube is reportedly blocking video playback for some of these viewers.
YouTube has been cracking down on adblockers recently, with numerous users getting hit with messages warning them that videos playback would be prevented if they didn't disable them. However, judging by recent reports from users, it seems like something has gone wrong with how YouTube delivers ads and detects adblockers.
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On Reddit, user muanika shared a screenshot of the YouTube adblock warning, explaining that they don't use adblockers and don't know why they're being warned. Although they've tried refreshing the page, it hasn't gotten rid of the message. The only solution they've found thus far is to completely clear their cache, but even then, it's only been a temporary solution. Some other users in the comments have complained about getting the same message when they're not using an adblocker. One commenter shared their annoyance at even getting this message while using Google's web browser, Chrome.
Even YouTube Premium Members Face Issues
Another person in the comments expressed how frustrated they were with YouTube as a subscriber to YouTube Premium. When the platform warns users for blocking ads, it recommends that they sign up for YouTube Premium, which removes the ads while still paying content creators that the user views. This user admitted that they were using an adblocker for other websites, but they're also subscribed to YouTube Premium. However, despite being a paid member, they claim that they were restricted from watching YouTube for a few days after it detected their adblocker, which they called "insane."
While the detection of adblockers may improve over time, reducing the risk of false flags, the anti-adblock initiative isn't going anywhere. YouTube ads made a ton of money for Google back in 2024, and trying to keep users from using ad blockers is likely being done to boost these numbers even more. However, flagging accounts that aren't actually using them may have the opposite of the intended effect, as some falsely flagged users claimed the only way they were able to get rid of the message was to actually install an ad-blocking extension or browser. Unfortunately, this isn't the only backlash that YouTube has faced recently from its users, as watchers have complained about everything from the increasing amount of generative AI-created videos on the platform to the YouTube Premium Lite service showing ads on Shorts.
