DIGITAL LIFE

YouTube may be testing new tool to torment users with abusive ads

In an attempt to circumvent advertising blockers, YouTube may be testing a new tool that injects ads from its server. As reported by 9TO5Google, this means that the platform's ads will become part of the videos, and it will not be possible to block or bypass the sections.

The tool was discovered by the developer of SponsorBlock, a crowdsourcing extension for skipping sponsored segments;

The term ad ‘injection’ alludes to a deeper application of advertising;

In short, ads would no longer be delivered separately on the desktop web or mobile client, but during video playback;

If the feature is indeed implemented by YouTube, the ad should be indistinguishable to blockers on the platform's videos.

Server-side ad injection could be the solution for YouTube, and a much more complex problem for blockers. Google has been working with more focus on a solution to combat this type of blocker by various means since last year.

This is, of course, because advertising revenue is one of the most important for most companies — for some, the highest as well.

Although YouTube has not confirmed the new ad policy, 9TO5 indicated that the tool is still being tested, but with several users already feeling the results.

There is no information on when the feature will be rolled out to everyone. Google also did not comment on changes to YouTube's advertising structure.

mundophone