YouTube has been actively combating ad blockers in recent months, with a focus on desktop users initially. The platform began intentionally slowing down video playback for users attempting to block ads. Now, YouTube has set its sights on third-party YouTube mobile apps such as Revanced, YouTube Vanced, and others that enable ad blocking on mobile devices.
YouTube’s Battle Against Adblockers Expands to Smartphones
Recently, YouTube announced new policies regarding third-party YouTube clients. The platform revealed that users employing third-party apps to block ads may encounter buffering issues. In some instances, videos may not play at all, instead displaying an error message stating, “The following content is not available on this app.”
YouTube stresses that only third-party apps complying with the platform’s API Terms of Service will be permitted. Any direct attempt to block ads is considered a violation of YouTube’s policies. The notice from YouTube also encourages users to subscribe to the official YouTube Premium service to enjoy an ad-free experience.
While YouTube has not singled out any specific third-party services, apps like ReVanced, NewPipe, YouTube Vanced, and others allow users to log in with their Google (YouTube) account and access content from the platform without ads. These apps also offer premium features like background playback.
The streaming giant, owned by Google, is displeased with viewers using these alternative methods to bypass ads and access premium features without cost. Consequently, YouTube is pushing users towards the YouTube Premium subscription model. Considering the rigorous crackdown on ad blockers for desktop users in recent months, it is likely that YouTube will adopt a similarly stringent approach towards mobile clients.
In addition to the fight against ad blockers, YouTube has also made changes to the Skip Ad button, making it smaller and less conspicuous. The new button was first noticed by some users in August 2023 and has since been rolled out to numerous users globally.