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YouTube has been lenient over the years allowing people to use ad-blockers to stop them from seeing multiple ads before a video starts. But recently the company has changed its stance on the matter, in fact, for the first time, users who have installed an ad-blocker on their web browser are seeing messages telling them that ad blockers are not allowed on YouTube.

When the platform detects that your browser has an ad blocker, it will show this pop-up message with the details and also explain why ad blockers are not ideal for YouTube to serve billions of people. It points out that ads allow the platform to be used by billions worldwide, highlighting its reach, impact and yes, freely available with the catch of seeing ads.

YouTube also mentions that if you really want an ad-free YouTube experience get the YouTube Premium service. It says that users getting Premium allows creators to get paid from their subscription. If you think closing the message box solves or takes care of the problem, YouTube will persist in telling you to disable the ad blocker for the platform, or else stop you from watching videos and other content on the platform.

Ad blockers have been around for many years, allowing people to block the ads that websites show to fulfil their business goals of making money. You can install them as extensions on Chrome, Edge and other web browsers.

Some of them are available for free but you may be asked for a small donation to keep them running. YouTube has often been critical of ad blockers, mostly because it has an adverse effect on its video streaming business. People have been relying on YouTube to watch videos which have amassed billions of views and even helped creators earn money from the videos they create and post on the platform.

Most platforms like YouTube, Netflix and Disney+ have realised that people now have enough reasons to pay for their services, which explains the need to bring ad-tier plans and give people the option to either use their platforms for free but with ads or pay for them and get an ad-free experience.