As the world continues to advance technologically, video content creation has become more widespread than ever before. People are producing videos for various reasons ranging from education to entertainment, marketing, and even social media, among others. YouTube is one of the most popular video streaming platforms globally, with millions of users watching and sharing videos on the site daily. However, one of the most irritating aspects of YouTube is the adverts, which are frustratingly unavoidable. The use of ad-blockers has become more popular, but it’s important to note that this may not be sufficient as ad-blocker extensions may not be able to effectively block every type of ad. In this article, we walk you through three methods to help you block YouTube ads in Google Chrome.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Block YouTube Ads in Chrome
YouTube ads can be distracting and disrupt the flow of videos that users watch on the site. Despite the introduction of skippable ads, some advertisements may still run for up to a minute or longer, and for users with a slow internet connection, this can lead to a significant delay while they wait for the video to continue. Advertisements can also be intrusive, particularly for people who use YouTube for work, education, or research purposes. As a result, it can take users longer to complete their tasks as the ads can easily sidetrack them. Moreover, some ads can be malicious, redirecting users to questionable sites or installing malware on their computers.
Method 1: Using the AdBlock Extension
AdBlock is a well-known extension that is capable of blocking advertisements on various websites, including YouTube. To use it, follow these steps:
1. Open your Google Chrome browser
2. Type "chrome://extensions" in the address bar
3. Search for AdBlock and click on the "Add to Chrome" button
4. Wait for the extension to download and install
5. Navigate to YouTube, and you should see an AdBlock icon appear in the top right corner of the browser window
6. Click on the AdBlock icon, then select "Pause on this site" or "Don’t run on pages on this domain"
7. Reload the page, and the AdBlock extension should now be working
Pros:
– It’s free to download and use
– It’s easy to use and doesn’t require any technical skills
– It can block most ads on YouTube, including video ads and banner ads
Cons:
– It may not be able to block all types of ads
– Overuse of AdBlock may lead to some content creators losing revenue
Method 2: Using the Video Blocker Extension
Video Blocker is another Google Chrome extension that is specifically designed to block unwanted video content on YouTube. To use it, follow these steps:
1. Navigate to the Chrome Web Store
2. Search for the Video Blocker Extension
3. Click on "Add to Chrome" to download and install the extension
4. Once installed, navigate to YouTube and search for the video you want to block
5. Right-click on the video thumbnail, then select "Block videos from this channel"
6. The channel will now be added to your block list
7. Reload the page, and the video from the blocked channel should no longer appear
Pros:
– It’s easy to use
– It can block entire channels from appearing in your recommended content or search results
– It’s free to download and use
Cons:
– It may still allow ads to play, especially if they’re not from the blocked channel
– It’s not as effective at blocking ads as AdBlock
Method 3: Using the uBlock Origin Extension
uBlock Origin is another popular extension that can block YouTube ads and other types of advertisements. To use it, follow these steps:
1. Visit the Chrome Web Store
2. Search for uBlock Origin and click "Add to Chrome"
3. Wait for uBlock Origin to download and install
4. Navigate to YouTube and click on the uBlock Origin icon in the top right of the browser window
5. Click on the empty list icon
6. Add https://www.youtube.com##.video-ads
7. Restart Chrome
Pros:
– uBlock Origin can block a wider range of ads than AdBlock
– It’s free to download and use
– It’s customizable, allowing you to whitelist channels you want to support
Cons:
– It may take a while to configure and may require more technical knowledge
– Overuse of ad-blockers can lead to decreased revenue for content creators
What to Do If You Can’t Block YouTube Ads
If you’re still experiencing problems with YouTube ads, there are a few things you can try. These include switching to another browser or updating your current one. You can also sign up for YouTube Premium, which is a paid service that offers an ad-free experience on YouTube.
Bonus Tip
One of the most effective ways of avoiding ads on YouTube is to download the videos or use a YouTube video downloader. These typically include options to download videos without any ads.
5 FAQs
Q1: Do I need to pay for ad-blockers to block YouTube ads?
A: No, many ad-blockers, including AdBlock, Video Blocker, and uBlock Origin, are free to download and use.
Q2: Can ad-blockers block all types of ads on YouTube?
A: Ad-blockers can block most ads on YouTube, but there may be some ads that are difficult to block. Additionally, some content creators may be able to bypass certain ad-blockers using sponsored content or other means.
Q3: Will ad-blockers interfere with YouTube features like closed captioning?
A: Ad-blockers typically do not interfere with other functionalities like closed captioning or other accessibility features on YouTube.
Q4: Do I need to download more than one ad-blocker to block YouTube ads?
A: No, one ad-blocker should be sufficient to block ads on YouTube. However, some people prefer to stack different ad-blockers to increase their effectiveness.
Q5: Are there any downsides to using ad-blockers?
A: One of the main downsides of ad-blockers is that overuse can lead to content creators losing revenue. Additionally, some ad-blockers may slow down browser performance or cause compatibility issues with other extensions.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with YouTube ads can be a frustrating experience, but there are several methods you can use to block ads on the site. Depending on your needs and technical abilities, some options may be better suited to you than others. However, it’s important to remember that ad-blockers may impact content creators’ ability to earn revenue, so it’s essential to use them judiciously.