From now on, hiding or skipping ads on YouTube will become more challenging, as the “skip” button is harder to spot right away. Recently, some users noticed that the countdown timer for the “skip ads” button in the YouTube desktop app has disappeared. Instead, a gray rectangle temporarily covers it, making it impossible to click.
Ad Skipping Changes on YouTube
What initially seemed like a limited test, as reported by Android Police, has drawn attention as more users reported similar issues. This feature change has now been observed not only on desktop but also on mobile devices, though without the gray rectangle covering the button.
“This seems like an intentional attempt to mislead users into thinking the ad is unskippable until the button eventually reappears,” according to reports.
YouTube has yet to issue an official statement, but the widespread appearance of this change suggests it could soon become a permanent feature. This may encourage users to opt for a Premium subscription to avoid ads altogether.
Subscription Costs and Ongoing Changes
In addition to altering ad visibility, YouTube has been cracking down on ad blockers. Recent actions include slowing down app performance, limiting video views, and showing large ads encouraging users to sign up for Premium. Furthermore, YouTube is introducing ads during video pauses, making the viewing experience increasingly ad-heavy, adds NIX Solutions.
As YouTube experiments with its ad policies, subscription prices are also set to rise in several European countries. In Belgium, Italy, Ireland, and the Netherlands, the family subscription will increase from €17.99 to €25.99 per month. The annual cost will reach €311.88, while individual plans will rise from €12 to €14 in these regions.
We’ll keep you updated on any further changes that may impact your viewing experience.