I'm sure many of you are already aware that YouTube has been rolling out anti-adblock detection for Chrome users for a few weeks now.

Today, as a long time Firefox user with the fantastic uBlock Origin extension installed, I got my first anti-adblock popup on the platform. Note that this may not happen to you personally for a while, but it is inevitably coming for everyone.

Thankfully, the fine folks at uBlock Origin have already advised a simple workaround (on Reddit, yuck!) which I will duplicate in a simplified form below for your convenience. I have tested it on Firefox and it is working fine for me (so far).

PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS POST.

  1. Update uBO to the latest version (1.52.0+) . <== The extension itself, for technical improvements. You do this in your browser.

  2. Remove your custom config / reset to defaults. <== This means removing your custom filters (or disabling My filters) and disabling ALL additional lists you've enabled. It might be quicker to make a backup of your config and restore to defaults instead.

  3. Force an update of your Filter Lists. <== This is within the extension. Lists are what determine what's blocked or not. How to update Filter lists: Click 🛡️ uBO's icon > the ⚙ Dashboard button > the Filter lists pane > the 🕘 Purge all caches button > the 🔃 Update now button.

  4. Disable all other extensions AND your browser's built-in blockers. <== No need to uninstall, just disable them. They might interfere with our solutions.

Make sure you follow all 4 points above. If you're seeing the message, it's likely due to your custom config (either additional lists or separate filters in My filters).

Restarting your browser afterwards may help too.

Once you've gotten rid of the issue on default settings, you can slowly start restoring your config (if you really need it). Do it gradually, to easier find out what was causing the issue in the first place. Once you find the culprit, simply skip it in your config.

If you want to use Enhancer for YouTube*, you have to* disable its adblocking*.*

May the force uBlock Origin be with you!

Update

Just wanted to mention a few things that have been pointed out in the comments:

  • There are quite a few projects that provide an alternative ad-free front end to YouTube. These include Invidious, FreeTube, LibreTube, Newpipe, Revanced, and I'm sure there are several more options I've missed. I don't have any particular preference really but I routinely use NewPipe on my cellphone just because I tried it once and couldn't be bothered trying all the others.
  • In step 4 listed above, to clarify, afaik you only need to remove adblocker extensions (if you have more than one installed) that might conflict with the uBlock Origin rules and trigger the anti-adblock, not all extensions.
  • If you hate non-stop ads but want to support your favorite content creators then be sure to give them some love on Patreon or whatever alternative options they provide. Creators typically make only a tiny, tiny fraction of what YouTube makes in ad revenue, assuming YouTube doesn't just outright steal the lot, and it's a shitty business model that's ruining the internet. Even if you watch the ads, you're only supporting YouTube most of the time, not the creators.
  • net00@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    All I need from youtube are my handful of subscriptions and my watch later, so I have moved on to invidious. I'd recommend it

    • Karyoplasma@discuss.tchncs.de
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      1 year ago

      You can request to download your logged activity data and you will get a zip-file that will contain all the information you need in neatly separated files. Takes about a day for YT to package your data.

      • Amends1782@lemmy.ca
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        1 year ago

        It's a privacy respecting front end for YouTube. Same data, less google cancer. Just look it up. I'm a fan of yewtu.be its a solid public invidious instance. It's all very similar to what piped is doing. I haven't used YouTube proper in ages.

        • Queen HawlSera@lemm.ee
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          1 year ago

          I may have to use that if they really are going to block ad blockers, I've sworn off making YouTube videos ever since they hit me with a strike for promoting gang violence and criminal organizations. I didn't know such thing but apparently they are going to retroactively consider any persons they consider too controversial to talk about on YouTube as the head of a criminal organization, and any explanation as to who they are support for them.

          It simply isn't safe to post anything on YouTube if they are going to ban you for something they retroactively decided was bad. If I post any content in a video format it's probably going on a Federated video site

            • Queen HawlSera@lemm.ee
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              1 year ago

              Thanks, I'm playing through Phoenix Wright, haven't touched the games since high school…

              After I finish, I'm going to playthrough a second time, recorded for a Federated Video Site

              It's not interesting if I'm going "Cmon cmon, what evidence is it?" for like 30 minutes of dead air while the audience is falling asleep or screaming "You idiot, the witness says he's allergic to bananas, but he's eating one right now! Show him the banana!"