How to block ads on YouTube in 2023
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Andželika Jasevičiūtė
Writer
Are you tired of annoying YouTube ads interrupting your video playback? You're not alone. Even though these advertisements have been a part of the platform almost since its inception, users prefer them gone. After all, ads – especially those that can't be skipped – waste your time, consume more data, and violate your privacy.
Yet, no matter how much we hate them, YouTube advertising is here to stay. The company's advertising revenue alone in the final quarter of 2022 was 7.96 billion dollars. Additionally, YouTube's primary source of income is advertising.
Fortunately, there are a few different methods for blocking YouTube adverts. In this article, we’ll explain how to block ads with an ad blocker, a Brave browser, and several other methods.
How to block ads on YouTube with an ad blocker in 5 steps
- Pick a reliable ad blocking provider. We recommend NordVPN Threat Protection, now 50% off
- Download the app, install it
- Sign up for the service
- Go to Preferences and toggle on Threat Protection
- Visit YouTube for an ad-free experience
Blocking YouTube ads with NordVPN Threat Protection is as easy as that. Make sure to try it yourself – the provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Why you might want to block ads on YouTube
Even though ads have been around on YouTube forever, there's no need to get used to them. After all, there are some very good reasons to block these ads, such as:
- Avoid distractions: YouTube ads can be quite irritating, especially if they are loud, flashy, or completely irrelevant to the video you are currently watching. Not to mention those never-ending unskippable ads. By blocking advertisements, you can focus on the content you want to see without being distracted.
- Save time: typically, the longer the video, the more ads are placed. So, it gets particularly time-consuming when a 20-second ad appears every 2-3 minutes in an hour-long video. Blocking these ads can help you watch the content faster without unnecessary pauses.
- Save data and battery power: YouTube can consume a lot of data and battery power. This is particularly bothersome when you're on a limited data plan or watching videos on the go. Blocking ads can noticeably decrease the usage of these resources, saving you both time and money.
- Malware protection: It's not unheard of that some YouTube videos contain malware or other harmful content. By blocking these ads, you can easily avoid harming your device and compromising your personal data.
- Ensure privacy: as you may already know, YouTube ads are targeted. It means that YouTube shows ads based on the personal information it has collected about you. The data is gathered with the help of trackers that follow you around the internet. Good ad blockers like NordVPN Threat Protection can efficiently remove trackers to protect your privacy.
How to stop ads on YouTube with an ad blocker: detailed guide
Here’s how to set up an ad blocker on a your device:
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Choose an ad blocker that can block YouTube ads. We recommend NordVPN Threat Protection
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Go to the provider's website, download the app, install it, and log in
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Click on the Shield icon on the left-hand menu. Here you can turn on full the Threat Protection feature, which includes a malware scan. If you need less protection, turn on the Lite version at the bottom of the window
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Click on the Settings tab to further customize your protection
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Now, go back to YouTube for an ad-free experience
Other methods of blocking ads on YouTube
While ad blockers offer well-rounded security, as they are usually included in VPNs' or antivirus programs' suites, some alternatives exist. You can block YouTube ads by using the Brave browser, purchasing a YouTube Premium subscription, downloading videos to your device, or blocking just particular ads.
Use the Brave browser
Brave browser is excellent when you need to remove unwanted content such as adware. Its built-in content blocker is designed to block all ads, including YouTube. Here's how to get started:
- Download and install the Brave browser on your device
- Open the Brave browser and navigate to the YouTube website
- Click on the Brave shield icon in the top right corner of the browser window
- Toggle the "Shields Up" option to turn on Brave's ad-blocking feature
- Refresh the YouTube page or start a new video
Purchase a YouTube Premium subscription
Another great way to remove ads is by getting a Youtube premium subscription. But it's not only helpful in blocking ads. There are several other benefits, such as watching videos offline or having them play in the background and getting exclusive popular YouTubers’ content.
However, YouTube Premium is a costly service compared to an ad blocker. It costs $11.99/month, meanwhile, NordVPN Threat Protection costs $2.49/month.
Here's how to get the subscription:
- Go to YouTube, tap on your profile, click "Purchases and Memberships”
- Choose the YouTube Premium subscription plan that you want to purchase
- Enter your payment details and Click "Buy." That's it!
Download videos to your device
One of the ways to get around YouTube ads is to download the content to your computer. You can try out desktop software like 4K Video Downloader or extensions YouTube Video Downloader.
Keep in mind that downloading videos violates YouTube's terms of service. Thus, the platform constantly issues updates which often render third-party software useless.
But there are other reasons to think before trying out this method. If you choose a bad provider for downloading the videos, you risk infecting your device with malware.
Block particular ads
If generally ads don't bother you, but once in a while you see a particular ad you want to block, here's a solution:
- When you see the target ad appear, click the "i" icon or the "stop seeing this ad" button
- This will prompt you to provide feedback on why you don't want to see the ad
How to choose an ad blocker to block YouTube ads
If you're looking to block ads on YouTube, using a reputable ad blocker can be an effective solution. Here are some factors to consider when choosing an ad blocker for removing ads on YouTube:
| Types of ads blocked: | In-video ads, pop-ups, banners, and more |
| Features: | Whitelisting, filters, tracker blocker, and more |
| Compatibility: | Browser extensions, apps |
| Additional security: | VPN, antivirus |
- Ad-blocking capabilities: being able to block ads on YouTube is a priority for you. Yet, it's also useful if the ad blocker removes adware on other sites or apps too, as well as blocks online trackers. So, before you make a final decision, research whether the ad blocker comprehensively blocks these threats.
- Compatibility: ensure that the ad blocker you select is compatible with the device or browser you use to access YouTube. Moreso, look for the provider that protects multiple devices at one.
- Security features: ads are only a tiny part of online threats, so an ad blocker alone can do little compared to what you might need. Choose an ad blocker that comes in as a part of a robust VPN or antivirus security suite.
- Easy-to-use apps: using an ad blocker should be simple and straightforward. Look for the provider that has an intuitive, user-friendly app that is easy to use.
- Price: while some ad blockers can be costly, many low-cost options offer excellent ad-blocking and security features. Make sure the ad blocker of your choice is within your budget and provides good value for money.
Conclusion
It's undeniable that ads on YouTube are simply annoying. Most of them are long, appear out of nowhere, and sometimes, you can't skip them. Unsurprisingly, people want to get rid of them. After all, they waste our time, cause distractions and invade our privacy.
The best way to block YouTube ads is by getting a powerful ad blocker. Currently, the best choice on the market is NordVPN Threat Protection. It effectively blocks all YouTube ads and works flawlessly on other websites too. The provider also has a well-rounded VPN security suite to protect you while browsing the web.
Alternatively, you can block YouTube ads with the Brave browser or get a YouTube Premium subscription for an ad-free experience. You can also get around ads by downloading videos to your device. However, this method is not safe as you risk downloading malware.
Best ad blockers deals this week:
More ad blocker guides from Cybernews:
How to block ads on Crunchyroll: stream ad-free
How to block Hulu ads: enjoy your favorite movies and shows without ads
How to block ads on iPhone: secure your iPhone from adware
How to get rid of ads on Instagram: browse ad-free
FAQ
How do I block YouTube ads?
Getting a reliable ad blocker is the best way to block YouTube ads. NordVPN Threat Protection is the best ad blocker, according to our tests. It effectively removes YouTube ads as well as pop-ups, cookie notifications, and trackers on the internet. On top of that, it can detect malware and dangerous sites.
Can you turn off ads on YouTube?
No, you can't just turn off ads on YouTube. Instead, you can use an ad blocker to remove these annoying ads. Our tests show that the best ad blocker is NordVPN Threat Protection. It efficiently blocks YouTube ads and serves as a complete internet security suite.
How do I get rid of ads on YouTube for free?
You can try out free ad blockers. However, most free providers are ineffective at removing YouTube advertisements. Instead, we recommend getting a freemium version or make use of refund. For instance, you can try NordVPN Threat Protection for 30 days free and enjoy an ad-free YouTube experience.
How do I block ads on the YouTube Android app?
NordVPN Threat Protection is the best choice for blocking ads on the YouTube Android app. After thorough testing, we determined that it is the most effective ad blocker for YouTube. It also comes with plenty of security features to protect your privacy while browsing the web.
Is there a way to block ads on the YouTube iPhone app?
You can use an ad blocker app to block YouTube ads on your iPhone. Many ad blocker apps are available, but if you want the best one, we suggest NordVPN Threat Protection. It will efficiently remove those annoying ads while keeping your device safe from possible security threats.
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