this post was submitted on 09 Oct 2023

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Technology

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463

I totally forgot how terrible a non-ad-free YouTube experience is (beehaw.org)

submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by bermuda@beehaw.org to c/technology@beehaw.org

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So I've been using youtube ad blockers since pretty much when ad blocker extensions were first available. Lately though I've been getting hit more and more with these messages that YT was sending out every 5 or so videos telling me that adblockers aren't allowed. No problem, just gotta wait 5 seconds to x it out and then close my video. The straw that broke the camel's back though was when instead of a close-able pop-up, they just posted it in front of a video and wouldn't let me watch anything until I disabled my adblocker.

So I disabled it and... wow. It's just so, so, trash. 2 ads before a video plus midrolls and every video ever. I tried listening to a playlist of songs and was getting a midroll ad every single time. Imagine trying to just listen to music for 3 minutes and getting interrupted by a commercial for a chevy silverado! Half the ads were for youtube premium and they specifically mentioned that it would get rid of all the ads. It just felt so damn predatory. I couldn't enjoy anything that wasn't already demonetized.

And you know I'm fine with ads I guess. I could live with an ad before every video, but the fact that I was getting upwards of 5 ads in a 10 minute video was just plain absurd. I also hate that youtube got rid of the yellow markers to show you when an ad was coming up, so now it's just out of nowhere and always interrupts a key part of the video.

E: I've been on Firefox for over a year.

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[–] HipsterTenZero@dormi.zone 6 points 2 years ago (1 children)

The best part is that it gets worse

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[–] OttoVonGoon@beehaw.org 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

For people using smart TVs, consider hooking up an old laptop or desktop to your TV. You can use a wireless mouse/keyboard (or other input peripheral) and you've got a living room setup that allows you to use ad-blockers and your own browser and video player (I recommend PotPlayer), among other advantages.

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[–] AceFuzzLord@lemm.ee 4 points 2 years ago (12 children)

I haven't had to deal with video ads for years simply because I don't use the website and use patched APKs to block ads. I'm thinking it was/is the right choice due to gøøgl€'s ongoing war against ad blocking in general. Don't know a solution to the browser problem outside of using alternative frontends like libretube or invidious or whatever if you don't mind not logging in.

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[–] artaxadepressedhorse@lemmyngs.social 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

YouTube has turned against its users, and user-inertia is the only thing keeping it relevant. Detach yourself from it, read books, go outside, use Firefox (Not chomium or brave), get yourself a nice pirate hat. Maybe consider hosting a peertube or creating content for it. Try to take this negative and make it a positive I'd suggest.

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[–] Safeguard@beehaw.org 4 points 2 years ago

I would actually pay for Youtube Premium Family, where it not for the fact that it does not work with gsuite accounts (which I have for my family).

We have spotify for the family, and I would cancel that and switch to youtube and music premium of google. For three dollars more we get ad-less youtube as well as music.

Sorry google, gotta pay attention to these things.

[–] Pratai@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 years ago

YouTube- is a terrible experience.

[–] jlow@beehaw.org 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Have you tried Freetube (desktop) or Newpipe / Libretube (Android)? Working fine for me.

[–] bermuda@beehaw.org 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

of course those work its just annoying seeing the main site crumble this way. I shouldn't have to use third party workarounds when the first party site can be making improvements easily

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