YouTube slows down buffering, commenting, previewing, more; for ad-blocker users

Video streaming giant YouTube has come under fire for its latest tactic against ad blockers, with users reporting sluggish video buffering and website lag.

The controversy stems from a Reddit thread where users shared their experiences with YouTube’s seemingly intentional slowdown. One user commented, “And I thought there was something wrong with my internet connection!” Others chimed in, describing how the sluggishness impacted the entire website, making it difficult to even type comments.

This frustration comes on the heels of YouTube’s October changes, which forced users to either disable ad blockers or try its paid subscription service, YouTube Premium. The move was criticized, with many users viewing it as an unfair attempt to force them into paying for ad-free viewing. Now, YouTube is taking things further by deliberately throttling performance for users who refuse to comply.

Earlier, the streaming giant also reportedly confirmed that they’re blocking uBlock Origin in Chrome.

Is YouTube Premium the only way out?

Well, we can’t be sure as of now. While YouTube’s reliance on ad revenue is understandable, its aggressive tactics push users towards alternative solutions. Some users have commented that their YouTube performed just fine with adblockers on other browsers like Firefox.

What’s your take on it? Is YouTube right to do this?