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 a VPN, a Brave browser, and several other methods.
How to block ads on YouTube with a VPN in 4 steps
- Pick a reliable VPN provider. We recommend NordVPN Threat Protection since it has excellent ad-blocking abilities and 5500 worldwide servers.
- Download the VPN app, install it, and log in.
- 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 a VPN: detailed guide
Here’s how to set up a VPN on a your device:
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Choose a VPN 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 VPNs offer well-rounded security, which often includes ad-blocking features, 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, especially when compared to a VPN. It costs $11.99/month, meanwhile NordVPN Threat Protection costs $3.29/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 a VPN to block YouTube ads
If you're looking to block ads on YouTube, using a VPN can be an effective solution. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a VPN for blocking YouTube ads:
- Ad-blocking capabilities: not all VPNs have the option to block ads. Thus, choose a VPN with an ad-blocker in its arsenal of features. Before you make a final decision, research whether the ad blocker removes YouTube ads.
- Compatibility: ensure that the VPN you select is compatible with the device or browser you use to access YouTube. Some VPNs may only work on specific platforms, so double-check before purchasing.
- Security features: a good VPN will provide additional security features, such as malware protection and data privacy, in addition to ad-blocking. Look for a VPN that offers a comprehensive security package to keep you safe while browsing the web.
- Easy-to-use apps: using a VPN should be simple and straightforward. Look for a VPN that has an intuitive, user-friendly app that is easy to use.
- Price: while some VPNs can be costly, many low-cost options offer excellent ad-blocking and security features. Make sure the VPN 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 VPN powered with an ad blocker. Currently, the best choice on the market is NordVPN Threat Protection. It effectively blocks all YouTube ads and works flawlessly on other platforms. The provider also has a well-rounded 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.
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 servers as a full 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 option. 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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