More recently, YouTube has been making efforts to disable ad blockers. Still, services such as 1Blocker, Ghostery, AdGuard, and Total Adblock work effectively to bypass ads. Even ad blockers from reputable VPNs such as Surfshark CleanWeb and NordVPN Threat Protection are equally effective in blocking YouTube ads.
If you are annoyed with YouTube ads and want to break free, there are ways to view YouTube without annoying ads. The best part is that using them will not warn the ad blocker set by YouTube. Read on to find different ways to experience clutter-free YouTube channels by using VPNs or ad blockers.
How to block YouTube ads:
Typically, ad blockers prevent advertisements from displaying on websites. An ad blocker scans the website for ads and stops them from appearing. Stopping an advertisement material from loading on a website has plenty of benefits. Ad blockers stop malicious advertisements, speed up the load time, and increase data privacy.
However, YouTube updates its algorithms frequently to detect ad blockers. It means that you can still find ads even after installing an ad blocker. But it will find a way to stop the ads again. Moreover, YouTube displays messages that warn users of the vulnerabilities about ad blockers. Either YouTube compels users to disable their ad blockers or pay them to continue enjoying content.
Here are some reliable ad blockers that aim to bypass YouTube’s efforts to block advertisements.
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1Blocker
If you like to watch your favorite channels on YouTube without annoying ads, choose 1Blocker. Designed for Safari, this ad blocker gives you control over advertisements on your iPad, iPhone, or Mac. If you do not activate 1Blocker, here is what you may experience when watching a video.
But when you turn on 1Blocker, the ads that appear on your screen are no longer visible.
The best part of using 1Blocker is that it comes with a free plan that can block ads effectively. Just toggle the type of blocker at one time to enjoy a clutter-free experience without even paying for the service. But this might not be a good idea because other ad blockers stop cookie pop-ups, trackers, and ads simultaneously.
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Ghostery
Numerous trackers find you whenever you are on the internet. Ghostery focuses on blocking these trackers from following you. Moreover, it blocks ads on YouTube, too. Here is what you can see on YouTube if you turn Ghostery off.
And this is what you see when you turn Ghostery on. This looks good, right?
Using the quick toggle option, you can turn the ad blocker feature on or off on Ghostery. Besides, Ghostery allows you to pause the cookie pop-up, tracker, and ad blocker separately. It is something that you do not see often on other blockers.
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AdGuard
If you are looking for a tool that comes with both malware protection and ad blocking, AdGuard is the best option. You can view YouTube without ads when using AdGuard. Apart from that, AdGuard’s premium plan includes AdGuard VPN and parental controls.
This is how your YouTube looks like when AdGuard is turned off. You have to watch ads before viewing the content you want.
When you turn AdGuard on, it stops the ads from appearing on the screen. As such, you can watch your favorite content without the annoying ads.
One advantage of AdGuard is that you can use it as a Chrome extension. However, the desktop app is not friendly and is difficult to set up.
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Total Adblock
Probably one of the best ad blockers you can find around, Total Adblock can block ads on YouTube. You do not have to see those annoying ads even if you are streaming videos. Here is how you can watch a YouTube video without activating the ad blocker.
This is how an ad-free video on YouTube looks like when you turn Total Adblock on.
A notable feature in Total Adblock worth mentioning is the number of trackers or ads it has stopped for you. That way, you know how the ad blocker worked exactly. Moreover, the Total Adblock extension for Chrome comes with an on/off switch. This gives you the liberty to support YouTubers you like most by watching the ads. There is no need to uninstall the ad blocker and reinstall it again. Additionally, the premium plan of Total Adblock comes with TotalAV, a popular antivirus software. It gives you strong protection against computer viruses, malware, and so on.
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NordVPN Threat Protection
NordVPN comes with a built-in feature called Threat Protection. It blocks trackers, malware, and ads. This feature benefits users because advertisements are not the only annoying thing you find on the internet. Ransomware and adware can cause serious headaches in comparison to watching a few minutes of ads overall. When you turn Threat Protection off, your YouTube videos will show your ads.
But if you toggle Threat Protection on, you will see no ads on your favorite YouTube channels.
As you know, NordVPN comes with lots of security features. Hence, choosing this ad blocker will not make you regret it later. NordVPN gives you protection against the dangers of the cyber world. You can receive and share data safely. Hackers cannot get your information, and you stay safe from identity theft and other kinds of cyberattacks.
Besides, an ad blocker with a VPN stops unwanted video ads and pop-up ads. The combined features of ad blocking and data privacy act as a powerful tool to combat cybercrimes by keeping your information anonymous.
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Surfshark CleanWeb
Surfshark VPN comes equipped with an ad blocker called CleanWeb. It blocks cookie pop-ups, malware, trackers, and ads that annoy you when watching YouTube. Moreover, the CleanWeb 2.0 integrated with the browser extension of Surfshark blocks ads on certain streaming services alongside YouTube ads. The biggest advantage of using Surfshark is that it covers unlimited devices and is affordable.
This is what it looks like if you are not using CleanWeb 2.0 on YouTube.
When you turn on the button for CleanWeb, it refreshes the page. Now, you can see the video without ads.
Subscribe to YouTube Premium and remove ads:
YouTube Premium allows you to watch videos without ads.
You can enjoy YouTube videos without ads on your desktop, smart TVs, and smartphones. YouTube Premium subscription removes ads after, during, and before the videos. Also, it removes search and banner ads.
Subscribing to YouTube Premium ensures that your favorite YouTubers get paid whenever you view their content. It means that you can support them without watching ads.
Here are other benefits of subscribing to YouTube Premium.
- Background play support for videos
- Download videos
- Enjoy YouTube Music Premium
There are other premium plans available as well.
For example, the Family Plan allows up to 5 members in a household to enjoy the benefits of YouTube Premium. It is an affordable plan because you have to spend less than $5 per person.
Besides, you can save more money if you choose to pay annually. The annual price gives you two months free as compared to the amount you pay monthly.
Plans and prices: YouTube Premium
- Monthly plan – $13.99 per month
- Annual plan – $139.99 per year
- Family plan – $22.99 per month
- Student plan – Free trial for one month and $7.99 per month after
Why you should not block YouTube ads:
YouTube generates revenue from ads to run its platform smoothly. Apart from that, it shares a portion of earnings with creators or so-called YouTubers. Content creators earn money. In return, they create good-quality content for the viewers.
If you block ads, it prevents content creators from earning money. So, watching ads helps them support their efforts.
However, there is another way to support them despite removing ads. You can become a member of their channel. You have to pay a small amount of money every month to access member-only videos and other perks. It helps them recover the lost revenue. If your favorite YouTuber did not activate this feature, check if they have a Twitch channel or Patreon. You can directly support them. Buying merchandise is another way to fund their efforts.
FAQs:
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Which is the best YouTube ad blocker?
The best tool to block ads on YouTube depends on your device. Some of the best ad blocks to choose from include Surfshark CleanWeb, NordVPN Threat Protection, and Total Adblock. If you are looking for a low-cost or free ad blocker, Stands Free AdBlocker, uBlock Origin, 1Blocker, Ghostery, and AdGuard are good options.
If you want to support YouTubers and watch ad-free videos, subscribe to YouTube Premium. An ad blocker browser extension or a VPN are good options if you want to block advertisements only.
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Does the YouTube app block ads?
The YouTube app can block ads similarly to the desktop app. If you buy YouTube Premium, you do not have to bother about ads, even on your mobile devices. Moreover, you can use Total Adblock to enjoy ad-free videos on YouTube. Many popular ad blockers you find around do not block YouTube ads on mobile devices. If you want an ad-free experience on the YouTube mobile app, consider using Total Adblock.
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Does YouTube pay content creators even if viewers skip ads?
Unfortunately, YouTube does not pay content creators if viewers skip ads. Whenever a user skips an ad immediately when displayed, YouTube does not consider it as a view. As a result, the platform cannot charge the advertiser. In that case, YouTube cannot pay a commission to the content creator for that ad. To qualify for ad revenue, viewers should watch the advertisement for at least thirty seconds. This is when a content creator or YouTuber gets paid for their videos.
Conclusion:
Blocking annoying YouTube ads is easy, like downloading an app or browser. Ad blockers can block advertisements efficiently. Tools such as NordVPN Threat Protection, Surfshark CleanWeb, and Total Adblock can easily remove YouTube ads. Furthermore, these tools include security features like a VPN service or antivirus protection.
On the other hand, VPNs are good alternatives to ad blockers. Certain VPNs come equipped with ad blockers that offer robust data privacy. That way, advertisers can find it hard to track your online behavior. In short, VPN services such as Surfshark and NordVPN can block ads and secure your connection from trackers or hackers.
But if you want to support your favorite content creators without watching ads, choose YouTube Premium. It allows you to watch videos without ads while your favorite YouTubers are paid for their efforts.
