YouTube escalates its war against ad blockers by implementing an unannounced performance slowdown.
YouTube escalates its war against ad blockers by implementing an unannounced performance slowdown.
In recent weeks, YouTube has intensified its efforts to curb the use of ad blockers, but this time indirectly and without official announcement. A growing number of users have noticed a significant decrease in video playback speed when ad blockers are enabled, raising questions about whether the platform is resorting to deliberate slowdowns as a new pressure tactic. Users on Reddit and specialized tech forums have shared similar experiences, with over 200 participants in one discussion confirming they are experiencing delays when using ad blockers. One post explained that playing any video is accompanied by an unusual waiting period, followed by a message on the screen saying, "Experiencing interruptions? Find out why." According to user testimonies, clicking on the "Find out why" option leads to an official Google support page that attributes the playback problems to browser extensions, primarily ad blockers. This connection has reinforced suspicions of a direct li…