The company has confirmed to The Verge that it’s currently running “a small experiment globally that urges viewers with ad blockers enabled to allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium.”
The statement comes after some people began noticing a new prompt warning that video playback could be cut off if YouTube detects repeated use of ad blocking tools. Android Authority earlier reported on those tests, which prevent viewers from watching more than three videos when an ad blocker is active.
I'm pretty much concerned about how it'd affect people who use ReVanced. With Manifest V3 crippling adblocker capabilities, Google going after entities such as Invidious and Vanced (I think ReVanced is next, if not already being attacked), I think Google's drive to make their primary business: advertising, unblockable is getting very serious.
I could probably start watching YT a lot less, do something productive with my time. At the same time, I just feel irritated enough that want to watch YT in any other way other than Google's way.
I was a Vanced/SmartTube user for a long time, but when Google started cracking down on them, the family decided to pool our money together and just get YT Premium. One thing I'm going to miss is the automatic skipping of sponsors. As much as I'm sorry to admit that, Linus.
That's one way to resolve things, buying YT Premium and being left at peace. While I respect that, part of me thinks that it is giving in to the pressure, that what Google wants is for people to give in. Thus, even if I do have the money for it, I don't think I would as a matter of principle.
What that principle is, I guess at this point, I'd admit that I am just pretty much against what Google symbolizes--big tech swallowing up everything. And by refusing to give in and buying YT Premium, I feel like I am resisting and protecting whatever few principles I've got left.
It helps that I'm not paying. Nakisakay lang ako since you can have up to 4 profiles. 😄