YouTube isn’t happy you’re using ad blockers — and it’s doing something about it::undefined
This is a naive take TMHO.
Youtube has been rolling this out, phased, slowly, for the last few months. Judging peoples reactions and engagement levels.
They are only mildly foolish and know that ad block users are some of their most engaged and tech savvy. Just like ad block users generally know that youtube can’t exist without ad, and if everyone used them, we might all be worse off.
Roll it out quickly, and you create awareness and ignite the fuckery out of the arms race, do it slowly, watch the engagement, and try to find the best messaging to bring “us” “back on side”, and maybe they stand a chance to shift the needle.
(Firefox nightly + ublock origin for the record, had ad block messages on/off from Youtube for about a week)
Add SponsorBlock and some extension that allows you to download videos and your gtg.
Again, im not naive enough to think that everyone can block all ads without consequence.
So I don’t use sponsorblock.
If I’m that offended by a sponsor spot, I can always skip it (an option usually unavailable with typical ads) or just close the video. If you’re pushing crytoscams, I’m pushing close.
I feel like their A/B testing also takes into account an individual user’s propensity to leave their service permanently.
Roll it out quickly, and you create awareness and ignite the fuckery out of the arms race, do it slowly, watch the engagement, and try to find the best messaging to bring “us” “back on side”, and maybe they stand a chance to shift the needle.
I think they are too naive then… I mean, how do they plan to win back people that use adblocker blocking the adblocker ? Forcing them to disable the adblockers ? It is clear that this action will start an armed race (not that it was never an armed race in this situation).
