YouTube / Depositphotos
YouTube users complain that the platform now streams very long ads that cannot be skipped.
Based on screenshots published on Reddit, the duration of the ads varies from 57 minutes to 3 hours (in the latter case, the ad is three times longer than the video itself).
Upon closer inspection, in the second image below the video, you can see the option “Skipping ads,” which signals the use of an ad blocker (though the users themselves did not confirm this). It is quite possible that the ad blocker itself is affecting the displayed ad duration erroneously or hiding the “Skip” button.
In a comment to Android Authority, YouTube confirmed that the multi-hour ads are specifically targeted at users with ad blockers, while regular users still have the option to skip after 15 seconds of viewing.
“Advertising is a vital tool for our creators that helps them manage and grow their business. That’s why using ad blockers violates the Terms of Use of YouTube. We have started a global initiative that encourages viewers with ad blockers enabled to allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium to avoid ads,” YouTube added.
We remind you that earlier YouTube began introducing advertising during pauses and regularly enhances the fight against ad blockers: from slowing down the application, limiting the number of video views and huge advertising posters, which offer a Premium subscription (the cost of the subscription has increased by 50% in some European countries — in Ukraine it remains unchanged).