The Youtube ads experience (a short rant from a disillusioned user)

[Elite]

Oh Youtube, you used to be fantastic. All the videos in the world to watch, lots of amazing content made for free. You’re getting absolutely RUINED by the way you target me with your stupid ads. I have to sit through 2 ada in order to watch a two-minute video. Next video, the same ads!! With some bad luck, I’ll even get one 20 second one I can’t skip after five seconds. With even more bad luck, the ten minute video I’m really getting into gets interrupted by .. the same ads yet again!! For fuck’s sake, you’re driving me away from your platform. Using it has become an endless repetition of bullshit ads I don’t care about (seriously, stop giving me these rubbish guitar teacher that promise you hacks to improve your playing, I am not your target audience. I can play already) and getting frustrated.

Please, make using your platform fun again. There’s still a wealth of amazing, great stuff there. Educational videos, funny videos, community driven content. The amount of unwanted stuff is a stain on your otherwise good formula, and I feel like this has been getting progressively worse.

[lordxizor]

If you watch enough you could consider the ad free paid version.

Yes ads suck. But YouTube is a business and needs to make money somehow. We all got spoiled for years without ads while they built up their user base to a point where they can make money.

[ReaPsTA]

My dumb favorite type of ad is the one that starts out like a movie trailer before becoming an ad, deceiving the user into thinking the content could actually be interesting.

[Zydar]

Youtube Premium is one of the best purchases I've ever done. Considering it's my main form of TV viewing these days, it's worth every penny.

[Phoenix87x]

I've been using ad block.

But I totally agree, it's become so egregious to the point where I can't even use the platform in its vanilla state.

[jammindude]

I downloaded the Brave web browser. Blocks ALL YouTube ads. Never been happier.

[Adami]

I mostly have them blocked on my computer. But I also mostly watch it on my Apple TV and no clue how to block them there.

YouTube premium or whatever currently sits at I think 17 dollars a month. Too much.

[Lonk]

The best ads are when I go to listen to a new song, music starts playing only to realize the "ad" is a 5 minute song from some random artists 

[XJDenton]

On youtube, ads are the only things supporting the small content creator's whose work I enjoy. So I will put up with them.

[Stadler]

I don't mind them, mostly (I don't use YooToob enough to really care) but I thought it was funny that I was watching the link from RJ (Lonestar) in his concert thread of that J-Metal band, and the video shows them taking the stage, and the background music is building to crescendo, the band is getting ready, and you know they are about to explode into their song and... "3...2...1... AD!" Haha.

[lordxizor]

I don't mind them, mostly (I don't use YooToob enough to really care) but I thought it was funny that I was watching the link from RJ (Lonestar) in his concert thread of that J-Metal band, and the video shows them taking the stage, and the background music is building to crescendo, the band is getting ready, and you know they are about to explode into their song and... "3...2...1... AD!" Haha.

I swear YouTube has some AI that manages to get the ad to pop in just at the most annoying moment like that 

[ErHaO]

I think the ads are fine tradeoff for the experience/service you are getting. Youtube premium is a recommendation if you want to be without ads legitimately.

As for used to be great, it also used to operate at a big loss. You can't expect watching hours upon hours of content at high quality (4k) without anything in return. Linus Tech Tips got a ton of shit for equating using adblocker to piracy, but I think people on the internet are super spoiled and he was absolutely right. Same goes for any other "free" site. Not that I condemn anyone for using it, mind you. I have downloaded stuff for "free" for many years, I am not going to pretend I am morally superior or anything. But I really dislike the "you are dumb if you use ads of pay for it" mentality I see so often. People must be glad enough people care to use ads or premium for the platform to work.

[Anguyen92]

I don't mind them, mostly (I don't use YooToob enough to really care) but I thought it was funny that I was watching the link from RJ (Lonestar) in his concert thread of that J-Metal band, and the video shows them taking the stage, and the background music is building to crescendo, the band is getting ready, and you know they are about to explode into their song and... "3...2...1... AD!" Haha.

I swear YouTube has some AI that manages to get the ad to pop in just at the most annoying moment like that 

Since Youtube implements the thing where it shows which parts of the video do people watch the most from, maybe they do have something that times the ads right before the big moment of the video.

Nowadays, since it's now voting season, the Youtube ads on my end are mainly people voting for or against sports betting in California.

[Chino]

If you're using Chrome to watch youtube, the UBlock Origin plugin will prevent you from ever seeing an ad again.

[MirrorMask]

I've been using ad block.

I downloaded the Brave web browser. Blocks ALL YouTube ads. Never been happier.

If you're using Chrome to watch youtube, the UBlock Origin plugin will prevent you from ever seeing an ad again.

All of these, and probably there are other remedies as well.

No point in complaining about an issue for which there are multiple solutions.

[Chino]

I've been using ad block.

I downloaded the Brave web browser. Blocks ALL YouTube ads. Never been happier.

If you're using Chrome to watch youtube, the UBlock Origin plugin will prevent you from ever seeing an ad again.

All of these, and probably there are other remedies as well.

No point in complaining about an issue for which there are multiple solutions.

While true, there are no options for my Roku devices or PS4. The ads drive me nuts! I don't mind them here and there, but when combined with Youtube creators filling all their videos with fluff to meet certain monetization requirements, 8 minutes worth of content becomes a 20 minute ordeal.

[Adami]

I've been using ad block.

I downloaded the Brave web browser. Blocks ALL YouTube ads. Never been happier.

If you're using Chrome to watch youtube, the UBlock Origin plugin will prevent you from ever seeing an ad again.

All of these, and probably there are other remedies as well.

No point in complaining about an issue for which there are multiple solutions.

Do any of those work on an Apple TV?

[wolfking]

While the ads are annoying, I don't really have an issue with them as I can view anything I want for free.  I'll put up with them cause I ain't paying for the premium version.

[Cool Chris]

I never minded the ads until they started popping up in the middle of ASMR/meditation videos I'd listen to while falling asleep.

[wolfking]

I never minded the ads until they started popping up in the middle of ASMR/meditation videos I'd listen to while falling asleep.

Agree.  I was noodling along with some backing tracks just the other night and got completely thrown mid track by an ad.  That was fucking annoying.

[Stadler]

I never minded the ads until they started popping up in the middle of ASMR/meditation videos I'd listen to while falling asleep.

WOW, that kinda defeats the purpose, no?


"And you're quiet, you're dreaming, you feel the warmth of the water on your body...3...2...1... DID YOU EVER WONDER HOW CHRIS PRATT OR HUGH JACKMAN GOT RIPPED ABS IN THREE MONTHS?  NOT CARDIO, NOT DIETS... I'M VINCE, AND IF YOU JUST CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW, I'LL LET YOU IN ON THE SECRET THAT HOLLYWOOD DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW!"

[cramx3]

On youtube, ads are the only things supporting the small content creator's whose work I enjoy. So I will put up with them.

I definitely feel a bit of this.  Nothing is free.  The people creating the content you are watching will need to earn their share to keep making content.

Having said that, too much ads can be an issue at times.  I don't like the during video ads.  Either keep them to when you start the video or put them only in like 30+ minute videos.  Because...

8 minutes worth of content becomes a 20 minute ordeal.

When this becomes the case, it actually hurts the content. 

But youtube gives the creator to add during video ads, so things like....

I never minded the ads until they started popping up in the middle of ASMR/meditation videos I'd listen to while falling asleep.

should have that turned off.  I blame the creator in that case.

Honestly, the best form of ads on the platform are probably the sponsored ads in videos that you can skip entirely because it's part of the video and not part of the youtube advertising and the creators usually get paid a good amount of money for that so they get their piece of the pie and everyone is happy... but you need to be pretty popular to get a sponsorship like that.

[Adami]

"And you're quiet, you're dreaming, you feel the warmth of the water on your body...3...2...1... DID YOU EVER WONDER HOW CHRIS PRATT OR HUGH JACKMAN GOT RIPPED ABS IN THREE MONTHS?  NOT CARDIO, NOT DIETS... I'M VINCE, AND IF YOU JUST CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW, I'LL LET YOU IN ON THE SECRET THAT HOLLYWOOD DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW!"

TELL ME MORE

[wolfking]

"And you're quiet, you're dreaming, you feel the warmth of the water on your body...3...2...1... DID YOU EVER WONDER HOW CHRIS PRATT OR HUGH JACKMAN GOT RIPPED ABS IN THREE MONTHS?  NOT CARDIO, NOT DIETS... I'M VINCE, AND IF YOU JUST CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW, I'LL LET YOU IN ON THE SECRET THAT HOLLYWOOD DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW!"

TELL ME MORE

Sorry, you have to subscribe and hit the like button.

[Stadler]

"And you're quiet, you're dreaming, you feel the warmth of the water on your body...3...2...1... DID YOU EVER WONDER HOW CHRIS PRATT OR HUGH JACKMAN GOT RIPPED ABS IN THREE MONTHS?  NOT CARDIO, NOT DIETS... I'M VINCE, AND IF YOU JUST CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW, I'LL LET YOU IN ON THE SECRET THAT HOLLYWOOD DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW!"

TELL ME MORE

Sorry, you have to subscribe and hit the like button.

No, you have to SMASH the like button. 

[Lethean]

Yesterday I watched a concert video that had been uploaded to YouTube and it had ads in the most ridiculous and annoying spots.  Couldn't they come up with an algorithm that puts the ads between songs?

However, I actually own the dvd and was too lazy for the arduous task of getting it out of its case and putting it in the dvd player, so I suppose I fully deserved that annoyance...

[Dublagent66]

The ads don't seem that bad to me.  Maybe it's because I have a subscription to YouTube Music?

[wolfking]

Yesterday I watched a concert video that had been uploaded to YouTube and it had ads in the most ridiculous and annoying spots.  Couldn't they come up with an algorithm that puts the ads between songs?

However, I actually own the dvd and was too lazy for the arduous task of getting it out of its case and putting it in the dvd player, so I suppose I fully deserved that annoyance...

This has been me for some time now.  I may never  buy another concert DVD again.

[Lethean]

Yesterday I watched a concert video that had been uploaded to YouTube and it had ads in the most ridiculous and annoying spots.  Couldn't they come up with an algorithm that puts the ads between songs?

However, I actually own the dvd and was too lazy for the arduous task of getting it out of its case and putting it in the dvd player, so I suppose I fully deserved that annoyance...

This has been me for some time now.  I may never  buy another concert DVD again.

I'll still buy them - I may not open them, but I'll buy them.    You never know when they'll get pulled from youtube and I like supporting my favorites anyway.

[wolfking]

Yesterday I watched a concert video that had been uploaded to YouTube and it had ads in the most ridiculous and annoying spots.  Couldn't they come up with an algorithm that puts the ads between songs?

However, I actually own the dvd and was too lazy for the arduous task of getting it out of its case and putting it in the dvd player, so I suppose I fully deserved that annoyance...

This has been me for some time now.  I may never  buy another concert DVD again.

I'll still buy them - I may not open them, but I'll buy them.    You never know when they'll get pulled from youtube and I like supporting my favorites anyway.

That's a really good point actually.

[MirrorMask]

On the subject of watching a show on YouTube rather than picking up the DVD - oh, how many times I downloaded an album I physically and legally owned because it was easier to get that one song I needed for the compilation I was creating on the computer, rather than getting up and taking out the CD and put it in the CD player and rip the song.......

[wolfking]

On the subject of watching a show on YouTube rather than picking up the DVD - oh, how many times I downloaded an album I physically and legally owned because it was easier to get that one song I needed for the compilation I was creating on the computer, rather than getting up and taking out the CD and put it in the CD player and rip the song.......

   Yep, done that quite a few times too.  If I want an album on my phone, I'll download.  Couldn't be assed finding the CD, ripping it then plugging the phone into the computer and copying over.  Such an ordeal.

[cramx3]

Nothing beats watching a concert on blu ray on a big screen with surround sound.  Youtube cannot replicate that.  I got my new Epica blu ray the other day, first live video I've bought in awhile and it's great. 

[hefdaddy42]

Nothing beats watching a concert on blu ray on a big screen with surround sound.  Youtube cannot replicate that.  I got my new Epica blu ray the other day, first live video I've bought in awhile and it's great.

Agreed.  If new concert blu-rays come out that I want to see, I still buy them.

However, I have only bought one film on blu-ray in the last 2 years.