Caleb Qwofi Right
Google has refuted claims that it is intentionally showing unskippable advertisements lasting several minutes or even hours to YouTube users employing ad blockers. The company insists that any adverse viewing experiences are due to the ad blockers themselves, not YouTube’s policies.
YouTube communications manager Oluwa Falodun clarified that the platform does not serve ads that are minutes long and cannot be skipped, sticking to their policy where non-skippable ads are limited to 15 seconds on most devices, with 30-second and 60-second ads reserved for YouTube TV. However, there’s no cap on the duration of skippable ads.
Despite these statements, numerous user reports have surfaced on platforms like Reddit, with some showcasing ads that run for as long as an hour without a skip option. One notable example was an ad nearly three hours long, as captured in a screenshot by user /u/Standard-Slip6572, who had an ad blocker active. This has led to speculation that YouTube might be taking punitive measures against users trying to avoid ads.
YouTube just unleashed 2-hour unskippable ads for people using ad blockers.
— Bad AI (@Bad_AI_) January 25, 2025
According to Android Authority, it seems like YouTube has figured out how to mess with ad blockers, replacing the “skip ad” button with… nothing 🤣
When asked, YouTube didn’t confirm but said:… pic.twitter.com/jTSCkaRZF8
Falodun emphasized the importance of advertising for content creators, describing it as a “vital lifeline.” YouTube actively notifies users with ad blockers to either permit ads or opt for YouTube Premium, which offers an ad-free experience. The company has the capability to block video playback for repeat offenders but claims this is a measure taken only after multiple ignored requests to allow ads.
Some users have theorized that the ad blockers might be causing these issues by failing to block ads properly while also hiding the skip button. One workaround suggested by users is to refresh the page, which sometimes resolves the issue.
YouTube’s stance is that ad blockers can disrupt the intended viewing experience. “Viewers with ad blockers may experience a suboptimal viewing experience,” Falodun stated, attributing this to ad blockers interfering with YouTube’s playback mechanisms.
This isn’t the first time YouTube has been accused of manipulating ad interactions; last October, similar accusations were made about hiding the skip button, which YouTube clarified as a design adjustment to streamline the ad interface.
This ongoing dispute highlights the tension between user experience and advertising revenue, a critical aspect of YouTube’s ecosystem.
