YouTube has intensified its measures against ad-blocking over the past couple of years, including a three-strikes policy for users with ad-blocking extensions. Now, the company appears to be advancing another strategy to combat these add-ons, AndroidAuthority reports.
Several Reddit users have reported seeing black screens on YouTube before their videos play, with delays lasting from six to twenty seconds.
These black screens are likely ads that have been blocked by web extensions. This aligns with reports that YouTube is developing server-side ad injection technology, which embeds ads directly into videos, making them harder for ad blockers to skip.
YouTube has not officially commented on this ad injection technology but recently announced upgrades to its “safety standards for browser extensions,” aiming to protect viewers and creators from cyber threats like hijacking and data theft.
Some Reddit users are not too bothered by these brief black screens. However, combined with the discontinuation of YouTube Vanced and the three-strikes policy, it is clear that YouTube is strongly encouraging users to subscribe to YouTube Premium.
