Do you love watching YouTube videos but hate sitting through ad after ad? You‘re not alone. With the number of commercials on YouTube skyrocketing in recent years, many frustrated viewers are seeking ways to enjoy their favorite content uninterrupted.
Fortunately, there are a number of effective methods to block YouTube ads – both through official channels and third-party tools. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll walk you through the best ways to watch YouTube ad-free on any device. We‘ll also take a deep dive into YouTube‘s advertising model, how it impacts creators, and what you can do to protect your privacy.
Let‘s get started!
YouTube Premium: The Official Ad-Free Experience
The simplest way to get rid of ads is to purchase a YouTube Premium subscription directly from Google. For $11.99/month, you can access YouTube completely ad-free across all devices. Premium also unlocks several other perks:
- Background playback (audio plays when app is minimized)
- Offline downloads to watch anywhere
- Access to YouTube Originals content
For families, YouTube offers a Premium Family Plan for $17.99/month which provides accounts for up to 5 additional members. Students can get an even cheaper rate of $6.99/month.
If you watch a lot of YouTube and don‘t mind paying, Premium is an easy, official solution. But many people are unwilling or unable to add another subscription to their monthly expenses. Luckily, there are plenty of other ways to block YouTube ads for free.
Use an Ad Blocker Extension to Stop YouTube Commercials
Browser extensions are simple plugins that modify websites, and ad blockers are designed specifically to filter out advertising content. Installing a reliable, well-reviewed ad blocker can instantly eliminate YouTube ads in your browser.
Here are a few of the best ad blocking extensions for popular browsers:
- uBlock Origin (Chrome, Firefox, Edge): open source and very efficient
- Adblock Plus (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge): blocks YouTube ads by default, allows "acceptable" ads
- AdGuard (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera): advanced filtering, customizable
- Ghostery (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera): focused on privacy/tracker blocking as well
To use an ad blocking extension:
- Visit your browser‘s extension store or repository
- Search for the ad blocker of your choice
- Install the extension and follow any setup prompts
- Navigate to YouTube and enjoy ad-free video!
Some ad blockers allow you to whitelist certain YouTube channels, so you can still support your favorite creators with ad revenue. Look for this option in the extension‘s settings if you want to permit ads on select channels.
Ad-Free YouTube Apps for Mobile and TV
Blocking ads within the official YouTube apps for smartphones, tablets and TV devices is trickier than in web browsers. Most ad blockers rely on browser integration, which doesn‘t work for native apps. However, there are still some tools that can strip out YouTube advertising.
On Android, you can install an alternate YouTube app like YouTube Vanced. Vanced is a popular modded version of the official app with extra features – most notably the ability to block all YouTube ads. You‘ll need to sideload the Vanced app since it‘s not available on the Play Store. The installation process is a bit technical but there are many tutorials available online.
For other devices, DNS-based ad blocking (covered later in this guide) is likely your best bet to stop YouTube ads on mobile and TV apps. Some VPN services also offer YouTube ad filtering.
Use a VPN to Bypass YouTube Ads
Speaking of VPNs – a virtual private network can be another effective way to watch YouTube without ads. Many premium VPN services include some form of ad blocking functionality. When active, the VPN filters your internet traffic and prevents YouTube ad servers from loading commercials before and during videos.
Top VPNs with ad blocking features include:
- NordVPN: CyberSec feature blocks YouTube ads and malware/trackers
- Surfshark: CleanWeb tool zaps YouTube ads and protects your privacy
- PIA (Private Internet Access): MACE blocks domains used for ads and trackers
Not all VPNs are equally effective at YouTube ad blocking, so be sure to choose a reputable provider. Reliable VPNs typically require a subscription, but you also get the privacy and security benefits of encrypting your internet connection.
Change Your DNS for Network-Level Ad Blocking
For more of a set-it-and-forget-it solution, you can change your device or router‘s default DNS (domain name system) to an ad-blocking DNS server. This will filter out ads, including YouTube commercials, at the network level for any device using that DNS.
Two of the most popular "DNS sinkhole" services are:
- AdGuard DNS: free DNS that blocks ads, trackers and malicious websites
- NextDNS: "privacy-first" DNS resolver with ad blocking and parental control options
To get started, you‘ll need to find the DNS server addresses from your chosen provider. Then change your DNS settings on your device or home router to use those addresses instead of your ISP‘s default servers. Each operating system has a different process for changing DNS, so search for a tutorial if you need step-by-step guidance.
Protect Your Privacy While Blocking YouTube Ads
It‘s important to note that using an ad blocker doesn‘t necessarily stop YouTube from tracking your viewing activity. Even without ads, YouTube still collects data on what videos you watch, search for, and engage with.
Some privacy-focused ad blockers and VPNs (like uBlock Origin and Surfshark) include additional anti-tracking measures. But to really minimize YouTube‘s surveillance, you‘ll want to take a few extra steps:
- Avoid logging into a Google account while using YouTube
- Delete your YouTube watch and search history regularly
- Turn off YouTube‘s "pause watch history" and "pause search history" options
- Be cautious about installing unfamiliar YouTube extensions or unofficial apps
Blocking all YouTube telemetry is extremely difficult. Using an anonymous account and regularly clearing your history is the closest most users can get to a private YouTube experience.
Why Has YouTube Become So Ad-Heavy?
In recent years, YouTube viewers have been bombarded with more and more ads before, during, and after videos. There are a few key reasons for YouTube‘s increased advertising:
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Growing costs: as the world‘s largest video platform, YouTube has massive expenses for hosting and delivering content to billions of users
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Competition for creators: rivals like TikTok and Twitch are vying for top talent, forcing YouTube to promise creators more ad revenue to retain them
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Pressure for profit: as a Google company, investors expect YouTube to maximize ad sales and consistently grow its contribution to overall earnings
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Cheaper than TV: even as YouTube ramps up ads, it‘s still less expensive for advertisers than traditional television – meaning there‘s room to increase ad load
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Funneling to Premium: some suspect YouTube is intentionally making ads so frequent and annoying that users are essentially forced to pay for Premium to escape
The bottom line is that advertising is the core of YouTube‘s business model. More ads equals more revenue to cover costs, pay creators, and deliver profits to satisfy shareholders. Unfortunately, the user experience is degraded in the process.
Will Blocking Ads Hurt YouTube Creators?
Many users feel guilty about blocking YouTube ads, worrying that it will shortchange their favorite creators. But the reality is more nuanced.
It‘s true that if you never see ads, those creators won‘t earn any ad revenue from your views. However, most YouTube creators don‘t rely solely on advertising to make money from their channels. They have multiple income streams like:
- YouTube Premium view royalties
- Channel memberships
- Super Chat and Super Stickers
- Merchandise sales
- Brand sponsorships and affiliate deals
- Donations via Patreon or other platforms
So while blocking ads does divert some money from creators, it likely won‘t bankrupt them. Many successful YouTubers actually prefer viewers to skip their ads rather than be annoyed or disengaged.
Of course, if you want to directly support a creator financially, the best way is to use their donation/tipping links, buy their merch, or join their membership program. That ensures they get the maximum cut vs. relying on YouTube‘s advertising system.
The Best Way to Watch YouTube Ad-Free
With so many options to block YouTube ads, which one should you choose? The answer depends on your specific needs and preferences:
- If you want the official, Google-sanctioned solution and can afford it, get YouTube Premium
- For casual users watching in a browser, a simple ad blocking extension is the easiest free method
- If you primarily watch YouTube on your smart TV, setting up a DNS filter may be the most straightforward
- Privacy-conscious users should combine an ad blocker with a trusted VPN and good data hygiene habits
There‘s no one-size-fits-all solution to YouTube ads. You may need to experiment with a few different tools and techniques to find the right fit.
The most important thing is that you can once again enjoy YouTube without constant commercial interruptions. Whether you love thought-provoking video essays, viral comedy sketches, or niche hobby content, you deserve to watch without being bombarded by ads. Now you have the knowledge and tools to take control of your viewing experience.
Happy ad-free YouTube watching!
