DIGITAL LIFE

Google's new dirty tactic to crack down on those who use ad blockers on YouTube

Like practically any free internet service, YouTube includes ads. Sometimes a little shorter, sometimes a little longer; but usually, skippable.

Now, users have complained that the platform is showing ads that are the length of real movies and without the option to skip them. There is a suspicion that this is an action taken by YouTube to crack down on the use of ad blockers.

According to reports from some users on Reddit, the video platform run by Google is showing ads before videos that are as long as some films in the Lord of the Rings saga. For comparison purposes, the first film in the series – The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – is 2 hours and 58 minutes long.

User reports ad lasting almost 1 hour - Image: reproduction/Reddit (in the image above)

In one of the photos posted, one of the people reports an ad that is almost 1 hour long. In the other, the ad is 2 hours and 52 minutes long. In both, there is no option to skip the ad that is being shown.

The images do not appear to have been manipulated by any editing program, but one detail stands out. As highlighted by the international portal Android Headlines, in the second of them it is possible to observe a small detail in the corner: in a blue rectangle, the phrase “Skipping ads...” (something like “skipping ads” in direct translation) draws attention.

Users complain about ads with the duration of films - Image: reproduction/Reddit

Although there is no confirmation, this would be a strong sign that the user in question is using an ad blocker. A practice that YouTube condemns and that, in recent months, has reinforced through a fierce battle against ad blockers.

At this point, the pieces begin to fit together. Although some users were commenting on the posts speculating that it was some kind of YouTube bug, it seems that this may be a kind of retaliation or provocation by the platform against ad blockers, sending two-hour ads to users who persist in the practice.

When asked for a statement, YouTube did not confirm the action (but did not deny it either). Check out the statement given:

“Ads are a vital lifeline for our creators, helping them manage and grow their businesses. That’s why using ad blockers violates YouTube’s Terms of Service. We’ve launched a global effort to encourage viewers with ad blockers enabled to either allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium for an ad-free experience.”

mundophone