Needless to say, Im invested in finding reliable ways to block ads on YouTube.This isnt easy.
YouTube has put a lot of resources into getting around most traditional ad blockers.
For the most part, they simply dont work anymore.
And it has a policy that lets it potentially terminate accounts for bypassing ads using traditional methods.
That said, the policy doesnt explicitly cover every method of ad evasion.
With all of that out of the way, lets go over some ways to avoid ads on YouTube.
But not all VPNs have ad blockers that can stop YouTube ads.
It isnt always easy to figure out which countries are best.
A VPN lets you connect to another region where ads are less prevalent.
That said, these countries dont tend to have many pre-video ads either.
These cause ad blockers to simply display a black screen that never lets you click past it.
Sometimes it requires a bit of manual configuration.
YouTube has gotten very creative recently.
The advantage of ad blockers is that theyre really easy to use.
test whether youre seeing ads.
If your ad blocker is good enough, you wont get your normal pre-roll ad.
Some browsers also work to block ads, but most of these run into the same problems.
Some extensions likeSurfshark CleanWebstill work, but its tough to say for how long.
At any point in time, YouTube can implement new security features that render any given ad blocker useless.
That doesnt mean its a valid solution for everybody.
It can be a little pricey, about as much as a Netflix or Hulu subscription.
Even if thats not a deterrence, it isnt available in every country.
Youll need a VPN thats fast enough to let you watch YouTube from another region.
To get YouTube Premium:
4.
Options like SkyTube (an open-source YouTube player for Android) can be found on GitHub.
These platforms operate in a legal gray area (so dont worry, youre not breaking the law).
That said, you should be wary of these websites.
Its possible to have your YouTube account suspended for being caught using one, though its rare.
Another thing to remember is that these sites do not have the same level of security as YouTube.
On top of all of that, YouTube makes an effort to shut these websites down.
YouTube Vanced was once very popular but has since been shut down.
The same story could be told about dozens of other alternatives.
Its best to use one of my options above.
Why Does YouTube Show Ads?
Even if fully updated, theres no telling whether ad-blocking extensions will work next year or even next week.
The easiest way to block ads without subscribing to YouTube Premium is to use a VPN.
Its also fast enough that you wont have a frustrating amount of buffering on your videos while youre connected.
How Do I Block a Specific Ad on YouTube?
Just remember that this will not prevent you from seeing ads in the future.
This only prevents you from seeing a particular ad.
This will open up My Ad Center.
From there, it’s possible for you to block the ad by clicking onBlock Ad.
A pop-up box will open up asking you to confirm your choice.
The box will close after you clickCONTINUE.
It takes you to another page to answer a few questions about why its harmful.
Once youre done, submit your report and YouTube will review it.
Is YouTube Premium Worth It?
Its a subscription service with a monthly price that costs as much as most streaming services.
Frankly, it might be too expensive for a lot of people.
That said, I still think there are a lot of benefits to YouTube Premium.
Are you okay with paying for yet another subscription service?
Do you use the platform enough to justify the cost?
Can I Get in Trouble for Blocking Ads on YouTube?
However, YouTubes Terms of Service could be interpreted as prohibiting the use of certain types of ad blockers.
That being said, its perfectly fine to install a good ad blocker and use it with YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do VPNs help block ads?
A VPN can also help bypass ads on YouTube thanks to the way YouTube runs ads.
Just be warned: if youre connecting to a faraway server it can impact your streaming speeds.
Why did YouTube stop allowing ad blockers?
Money is the answer, really.
YouTube makes a significant portion of its revenue from ads.
Theres nothing wrong with that, but sometimes it feels tiresome for the viewer.
If youre looking for convenient ways to get rid of these ads, Id recommendchecking out my guide.
Does blocking ads mean Im not supporting creators?
Just because you block an ad doesnt mean youre not supporting your favorite content creators.
There are plenty of other ways you could support a creator besides watching ads.