YouTube's Ad Blocker Crackdown Leads to Record Uninstalls, Causes Surge in New Installs and Alternatives

YouTube's anti-ad blocker push has led to a surge in uninstalls and installations of ad blocking software, driven by user attempts to bypass restrictions and keep their viewing experience ad-free. Companies such as AdGuard and Ghostery report significant spikes in statistics, with alternatives like Microsoft Edge also seeing increased user engagement.

• YouTube's crackdown on ad blockers has led to record uninstalls, with companies such as AdGuard noting over 11,000 people uninstalling its Chrome extension daily, in comparison to 6,000 uninstallations before the change.
• Despite YouTube's efforts, Ghostery, an ad blocking company, reported a flattening in usage as its daily install rate matched its uninstall rate. More than 90% of Ghostery users who uninstalled the product stated that they did so because it no longer worked with YouTube.
• As the crackdown mostly affects users accessing YouTube through Chrome, alternative browsers such as Microsoft's Edge have seen a surge in use and installations of ad blocking software.
• Despite the backlash, YouTube maintains that the use of ad blockers violate its terms of service. The company encourages embracing ads or opting for an ad-free experience by subscribing to YouTube Premium, which has seen a price increase to $13.99 per month.
• While the crackdown has led to more uninstalls, it has simultaneously spurred record numbers of new ad blocker installs. Users are seeking alternatives that do not trigger YouTube's pop-up warnings, suggesting that resistance to an ad-filled experience remains strong amongst users.

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