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

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by bermuda to c/technology

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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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[–] Zink@programming.dev 20 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Ok so I’m not saying the correct solution to this is to just give Google the money they want, but for me YouTube premium is the best value for any streaming service my family subscribes to. (Unless you count the lifetime Plex pass I got on sale years ago, lol)

Things like our smart TV or the kid’s iPad work flawlessly, including convenient downloads for trips. And since I watch a lot on my TV, it’s nice having higher bitrate available.

YouTube music is a nice addon for music in the car, even though it doesn’t make or break the deal.

And as I understand it, creators make significantly more money from premium views than ad-supported views. I like watching all kinds of niche scientific/tech/educational creators so I like to know they’re getting a bit more from me

[–] sunbeam60@lemmy.one 7 points 1 year ago

You know what, I complete agree!! I realised I spend 10x the time on YouTube compared to Netflix.

And then, at least in the U.K., there’s a mobile phone plan that includes a YouTube premium membership, so it works out at 2/5ths the price.

[–] sederx@programming.dev 4 points 1 year ago

is the best value for any streaming service my family subscribes to.

i mean that bar is pretty low

[–] Skadabucci 3 points 1 year ago

This is my sentiment too.

[–] limerod@reddthat.com 2 points 1 year ago

Yeah, if not for Ytmusic, I wouldn't have considered youtube premium. Seperate they don't make much sense. Together, they add a lot of value. Plus, the bonus of not being bombarbed by multiple ads on each video is good.