I'm sure many of you are already aware that YouTube has been rolling out anti-adblock detection for Chrome users for a few weeks now.
Today, as a long time Firefox user with the fantastic uBlock Origin extension installed, I got my first anti-adblock popup on the platform. Note that this may not happen to you personally for a while, but it is inevitably coming for everyone.
Thankfully, the fine folks at uBlock Origin have already advised a simple workaround (on Reddit, yuck!) which I will duplicate in a simplified form below for your convenience. I have tested it on Firefox and it is working fine for me (so far).
PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS POST.
Update uBO to the latest version (1.52.0+) . <== The extension itself, for technical improvements. You do this in your browser.
Remove your custom config / reset to defaults. <== This means removing your custom filters (or disabling My filters) and disabling ALL additional lists you've enabled. It might be quicker to make a backup of your config and restore to defaults instead.
Force an update of your Filter Lists. <== This is within the extension. Lists are what determine what's blocked or not. How to update Filter lists: Click 🛡️ uBO's icon > the ⚙ Dashboard button > the Filter lists pane > the 🕘 Purge all caches button > the 🔃 Update now button.
Disable all other extensions AND your browser's built-in blockers. <== No need to uninstall, just disable them. They might interfere with our solutions.
Make sure you follow all 4 points above. If you're seeing the message, it's likely due to your custom config (either additional lists or separate filters in My filters).
Restarting your browser afterwards may help too.
Once you've gotten rid of the issue on default settings, you can slowly start restoring your config (if you really need it). Do it gradually, to easier find out what was causing the issue in the first place. Once you find the culprit, simply skip it in your config.
If you want to use Enhancer for YouTube*, you have to* disable its adblocking*.*
May the ~~force~~ uBlock Origin be with you!
Update
Just wanted to mention a few things that have been pointed out in the comments:
- There are quite a few projects that provide an alternative ad-free front end to YouTube. These include Invidious, FreeTube, LibreTube, Newpipe, Revanced, and I'm sure there are several more options I've missed. I don't have any particular preference really but I routinely use NewPipe on my cellphone just because I tried it once and couldn't be bothered trying all the others.
- In step 4 listed above, to clarify, afaik you only need to remove adblocker extensions (if you have more than one installed) that might conflict with the uBlock Origin rules and trigger the anti-adblock, not all extensions.
- If you hate non-stop ads but want to support your favorite content creators then be sure to give them some love on Patreon or whatever alternative options they provide. Creators typically make only a tiny, tiny fraction of what YouTube makes in ad revenue, assuming YouTube doesn't just outright steal the lot, and it's a shitty business model that's ruining the internet. Even if you watch the ads, you're only supporting YouTube most of the time, not the creators.
I see a lot of people saying "but that's how creators get paid".
Listen: I didn't put ads on my video. YouTube did. I can't take them off and I don't see a cent from them. Block away.
Except they don't. They get demonetization from literally breathing from Google who treats them like shit, so it's best to donate to their patreons anyway.
Their demonetization "policy" or lack thereof is a major reason why I block ads. I don't believe that Alphabet operates in good faith in this matter.
The RIAA and MPAA are the driving force behind the copystrike behavior. I do think Alphabet has the resources and standing to resist and battle it in court, but that's clearly not their business model. Alphabet is not invested in protecting content generators, only in what metrics they can sell to ad agencies.
It's not a copyright problem. You get demonitized for saying "suicide" for example. They want an artificial happy place where no bad things happen and we can all have fun watching ads forever.
.. and rape and sexual assault and pedophile.. some videos (like on cults) are really weird to watch cus so many words are bleeped out.
That's not even always the issue though - like recently Veritasium had an ancient video demonitized for mentioning that the subject of the video committed suicide, so now their most recent video is a censored re-upload of it. They include a new segment talking about the frustrating demonitization scheme Youtube has.
Alphabet doesn't have to battle it.
If they just had copyright owners use the DMCA process, creators could counterclaim illegitimate takedowns and Google would have no liability for leaving the content up as proscribed by the claim process.
They choose to do their far more aggressive alternate system instead. It's not out of any obligation or legal exposure.
Those aren’t this only things that cause you to be demonetised though. Having the wrong opinion is enough.
And not the usual "wrong opinion". Some platforms demonetise you for the wrong opinion "hitler had the right idea" but youtube demonetises you for the wrong opinion "right to repair"
In the words of TomSka: "Ayy it's Youtube. We're going to demonetize and age restrict this video." "WHY?!" "Ohoho we ain't gonna tell you. But don't do it again."
I have so little sympathy for Google.
I'd happily support my favorite creators directly at a few $/mo. Let's say 3$/mo, I'd support 30 of my most favorite creators. At YouTube #s, that could easily add up.
Next step from Google will be to make creators that have Patreon set up be ineligible for ad revenue or ban linking/mentioning Patreon outright.
Not even, though. Practically all the YouTube "creators" these days have [this part of the video is brought to you by scandanavian interwebz to keep out teh hax0rs] sponsored segments that are [Have you shaved your fuckin' nutsack lately bro? Check out this ball hair trimmer from clipyerjunk dot com] littered throughout [zzzzzzzzzip ... ^reecrootah ] their videos.
That being said, some of them at least put effort into finding and vetting content-relevant sponsors that can actually be helpful. I can kinda just barely tolerate those.
I can strongly recommend the SponsorBlock extention (also available in revanched).
Oh sheeeit! I used revanced on Android, but I had no idea there was also a Firefox extension for that. Thanks!
I run a private invidious instance
Sponsorblock?
And they're not wrong. But they put themselves in this position when they uploaded their videos to servers owned by one of the worst corporations in the world, with massive privacy implications, and no alternatives.
I watch them on other platforms when they make it available.
Creators are victims here too. For most of them YouTube was a very different place when they were beginning their careers on the platform.
Not that it changes your point, I just feel it's important to keep in mind that the process of "Enshittification" sucks for everyone (well, except shareholders).
Eeeeh that's wildly arguable. It costs marginally $0 for a creator to upload their content to some other platform besides (not instead of) Youtube. If they don't, and then they complain that people don't Monetize Them, to me it feels like they are trying to, in ethical terms, make bystanders feel guilty that they (creators) are whoring out in public.
Their content has better reach on Youtube, though. And has a better comment section which would be relevant to the video (which Oddysee has a problem with)
Better comment section? Youtube is basically an incel / right-wing / flatearther comment pile.
In my experience Odyssey has that too, even on unrelated videos, and they're often liked for some reason. Atleast on Youtube you see those comments only on newest
They are wrong. Most creators don't get paid from ads.
But it wasn't always that way. Creators had to survive multiple crises as Youtube made sudden changes that impacted their livelihoods.
Those that survived rely on merch, patronage platforms, paid promotions, and promoting their content on other paid platforms.
id actually love to see the breakdown of channels with content by subscriber count/youtube partnership status. I suspect a very large percentage will be non monetised. speaking from experience it either takes a shitload of work to get the ability to earn literally a few dollars or you somehow get lucky with a "viral" hit. even people in my niche the "big ones" make maybe a couple hundred bucks a year in ad revenue
...yes? They do.
No, they don't. Only a very small percentage of the videos on Youtube end up making any money for the creators.
its why even with ads they use sponsers
That's because only a very small percentage of creators get enough views to make tangible amounts of money...probably the same ones you actually watch.
I think you need 1000 subscribers to be able to monetize your videos. That's not an issue for the well known youtubers but the vast majority of them don't make a penny.
Also, you watching hours of ads makes few cents for the content creator. By donating one dollar directly they've already made more than they ever would from ads.
Yeah, Nebula is an alternative that's trying to grow. Think it's creator owned too which is nice. I haven't made the switch yet, but if I wanted to support creators directly I'd choose Nebula over YouTube. And if I could, I'd send money straight to them via Patreon or PayPal or other.
I mean I have >200 subscriptions so that would get expensive quickly.
Rotate monthly tips! Or only tip your favorite
I have a note in the description of every video that say “seeing ads on my videos? Use ublock origin!”
That's a really good idea!
I think that's how some creators do get paid. Large enough channels will get some form of revenue sharing from YouTube. That's why when a video is demonetised the creators get very upset. As is when YT does some fuckery with their algorithms and their views plummet.
Mind, the rates keep getting worse, from what I hear. Hence more and more pateron and in-video promos, it's a better and more stable source of income.
I'm sure some do, but I also don't hang out to watch "10 most fatal crashes (#2 will amaze you)" and "here's a 10-minute SEO-optimized video to tell you something that would otherwise take 20 seconds to read" videos, which are probably typical "creators".
Not to mention a majority of those channels are content/ad farms that probably deserve to die anyway. AKA you should block their ads or better yet avoid watching them entirely because they are leeching off the platform and hurting legitimate creators because those channels are run by companies who pump out highly produced videos faster than any legitimate creator could to rake in money from ads and sponsorships, their videos are also often filled with disinformation.
I'm talking about channels like TroomTroom, 5 minute crafts, etc. but there are also others out there centered around subjects outside of DIY.
The criteria for getting monetized really aren't that big. They don't have to be that large, and most small to medium sized channels will usually make more from direct sponsors and supporters. But also, those are the creators working on the thinnest margins, and they definitely feel the loss of the YouTube ad money.
But the bigger issue is that demonitized videos just don't get promoted as heavily. The reduction in reach is a major blow to small and medium sized channels, as reach is how creators find new supporters, and it has an impact on future direct sponsorship potential. Plus if you have multiple videos demonitized, you can get your whole channel demonitized.
Edit: Autocorrect believes "deminitized" is a word.
Genuine question:
Do you host your content on other platforms (like lbry/odysee) as well?
To add, you have to become a partner before ever seeing a penny, which means you've fronted all the start up costs.
Use adblock, then work an extra 3 minutes and donate your salary to the creator.
Even with videos I enjoy from channels I really like, I block all ads .... and if they have a 30 second spot in their video to plug some product or service, I fast forward it to skip their personalized ad spot.
I don't want ads .... if I want to give you money, I'll give you money because I like you or the things you do or the things you make ... not because of some dumb product that you think makes you look good.
If I like a channel or personality or artist or singer or someone just makes me laugh .... I send a dollar, a fiver or even a ten depending on how good it was.
If everyone did that, no one who makes a video would care about ads.
Blah blah blah blah.
I don't care who does and who doesn't get paid, and I'll come up with every excuse to ignore that pesky creator income.
The mental hoops you all go through is insane. It's on par with Trumpers, just less damaging.
You think I'm jumping through mental hoops for telling people to use an ad blocker?