Youtube ad blocker: Company testing three strikes policy for users blocking ads

Google-owned YouTube is looking to take a more aggressive approach to discourage people from using adblockers.

This was first discovered by a Reddit user, now the company has confirmed this test to Android Authority. "We're running a small experiment globally that urges viewers with ad blockers enabled to allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium. Ad blocker detection is not new, and other publishers regularly ask viewers to disable ad blockers," a YouTube spokesperson said.

The company also provided details on how the policy works, while noting that "ad blockers violate YouTube's Terms of Service."

The affected users will receive "repeated notifications" asking them to allow ads on the platform. "In extreme cases, where viewers continue their use of ad blockers, playback will be temporarily disabled," the company explained.

The company also said that it takes disabling video playback "very seriously," and will only disable playback if users repeatedly refuse requests to disable ad blocking on the platform. “In cases when viewers feel they have been falsely flagged as using an ad blocker, they can share this feedback by clicking on the link in the prompt," it added.