‘YouTube experiments with expiring timer in adblock check’

YouTube appears to be experimenting with a countdown timer in the adblock check. A Reddit user shared a screenshot of the check, which also included a countdown clock. Several other Reddit users claim to have seen the same message, with a timer.

The expiring timer is located at the top right of the adblock checker and is yellow in color. This is evident from the screenshot via Reddit has been spread. According to the editors of Neowin The time of the clock would be 30 to 60 seconds and then an advertisement would start playing, although this has not been confirmed by YouTube. The notification also contains the message that ad blockers are not allowed on YouTube. Users are then informed that they will no longer be able to watch videos on the platform unless they whitelist YouTube or disable the ad blocker. Finally, YouTube Premium is also mentioned. This is a subscription to the platform, which means, among other things, that you no longer see advertisements.

At the end of June, screenshots of an adblock check by YouTube also surfaced. Then a user saw a notification stating that he or she would be blocked after three videos unless the ad blocker was turned off. For the time being, YouTube does not appear to have introduced adblock checks on a large scale. The fact that YouTube is experimenting with it may indicate plans to do this in the future.

Update, 11am: article edited to include Neowin’s claims about the timer. Thanks to Andreas01.

Countdown timer (top right) in adblock check YouTube – Source: Reddit