How to block YouTube ads in 2024
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Learn moreAre you looking for working methods to block YouTube ads interrupting your video playback? You're not alone. Even though YouTube advertisements have been a part of the platform almost since its start, they have become increasingly intrusive and time-consuming, so 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 2023 was 9.2 billion dollars. Additionally, YouTube's primary source of income is advertising. For this reason, YouTube works hard on developing strong anti-ad-blocking methods to make sure ad blockers can’t filter out the ads.
Because not all ad blockers are capable of overcoming YouTube’s stringent techniques, in this article I’ll explain how to block YouTube ads using a high-quality ad blocker, a Brave browser, and several other methods.
How to block YouTube ads in 4 steps
- Pick a reliable ad blocking provider. We recommend Total Adblock, now 80% off
- Download the app, install it
- Launch the app or browser extension and enable the ad blocker
- Start watching YouTube without ads
Blocking YouTube ads with Total Adblock is as easy as that. Make sure to try it yourself – the provider offers a 7-day free trial.
Why you might want to block ads on YouTube
Even though ads have been around on YouTube forever, they have become more and more intrusive, and users do get frustrated. There are many good reasons why you should watch YouTube without ads. Here are some:
- 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 can efficiently remove trackers to protect your privacy.
How to block ads on YouTube: detailed guide
Here’s how to set up an ad blocker on a your device and watch YouTube without ads:
- Choose an ad blocker that can block YouTube ads. I recommend Total Adblock, now 80% OFF
- Go to the provider's website and download and install the app or the browser extension
- Launch the app or the browser extension and enable the ad blocker
- Now, go back to YouTube and watch it ad-free
How to block ads on YouTube app
If you prefer watching YouTube on your mobile device via the YouTube app, the process could be slightly different, depending on the ad blocker you choose. If you, for example, already have a TotalAV (antivirus) subscription, you get TotalAdblock with it for no extra cost, and can find it in the TotalAV’s app and download it from there. Otherwise, if you need only an ad blocker, here’s what you need to do:
- Choose a reliable ad blocker for your mobile device. I recommend Total Adblock, excellent at blocking all YouTube ads! Note: there is no Total Adblock app on the Play Store or App Store, so you need to click on the link below and follow on-screen instructions to set up the app
- After downloading the app, follow the instructions on setting it up
- After installation, find the ad blocker app and launch it
- If you choose Total AdBlock, you will need to install a CA certificate, there will be a step-by-step guide in the app
- After installing the certificate you will be able to launch the YouTube app through the Total AdBlock app, and it will block all YouTube ads!
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.
1. Watch YouTube without ads using 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
2. Purchase a YouTube Premium subscription
Another great way to remove ads is by getting a YouTube premium subscription which allows you to enjoy YouTube without commercials. 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 $13.99/month, meanwhile, Total Adblock costs $1.59/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!
3. 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.
4. 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 watch YouTube without ads: Conclusion
The best way to block YouTube ads in 2024 is by getting a powerful ad blocker. Currently, the best choice on the market is Total Adblock. It effectively blocks all YouTube ads and works flawlessly on other websites too.
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.
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. Total Adblock 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 Total Adblock. 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 a refund. For instance, you can try Total Adblock for 7 days free and enjoy an ad-free YouTube experience.
How do I block ads on the YouTube Android app?
Total Adblock 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 Total Adblock. It will efficiently remove those annoying ads while keeping your device safe from possible security threats.
How can I watch YouTube videos without ads?
Yes, you can watch YouTube without ads. There are several great methods that you can try: 1) use ad blocker (we recommend Total AdBlock), 2) use the Brave browser, 3) purchase YouTube Premium subscription, or 4) download videos to your device.
Does ad blocker no longer work on YouTube?
YouTube uses strict methods and techniques to bypass ad blocker usage. Because of this, some ad blockers can’t keep up improving their software, thus being unable to work on YouTube. It’s important to find a strong and reliable ad blocker, like Total Adblock, constantly upgrading their software to be able to block all YouTube ads.
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