The simplest ways to stop ads interrupting your videos

You can block ads on YouTube through a paid subscription, a browser extension, or by adjusting your account settings — each method works differently and has trade-offs. YouTube Premium removes all ads but costs money. Free browser extensions like uBlock Origin block ads in your web browser but not in the YouTube app. Adjusting your account's ad preferences won't stop ads from playing, but it can make them less frequent or more relevant to you.

The method you choose depends on where you watch YouTube (computer, phone, or app), how much you want to spend, and whether you want to support creators with ad revenue. This guide covers each option so you can pick the one that fits your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube Premium removes all ads for a monthly fee and works on every device where you're signed in.
  • Browser extensions like uBlock Origin block ads on computers and laptops but do not work in the YouTube mobile app.
  • Turning off personalized ads in your account settings reduces targeted ads but does not eliminate them entirely.
  • Ad blockers may slow down your browser or cause YouTube to load differently, and YouTube actively works against them.
  • Creators earn less money when you use ad blockers, since they are paid when ads actually play.

Using YouTube Premium to remove all ads

YouTube Premium is a paid subscription that removes ads from every video you watch, on every device. You pay a monthly fee (the amount varies by country and whether you bundle it with other Google services), and ads stop appearing when ready once your subscription is active. This works on the YouTube website, the YouTube app on your phone, and even YouTube videos embedded on other websites.

To start a YouTube Premium subscription, open YouTube, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select "Get YouTube Premium." You can choose a monthly plan or an annual plan, which costs less per month. YouTube offers a free trial period before charging you, so you can test it first. Your subscription applies to your Google account, so you stay ad-free on any device where you sign in.

The trade-off is cost. If you watch YouTube frequently, the monthly expense adds up. You also stop contributing ad revenue to creators you watch, though YouTube Premium members do contribute a small amount from their subscription fee to creators based on watch time.

Installing a browser extension to block ads on your computer

uBlock Origin is a free browser extension that blocks ads on YouTube and most other websites. It works on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. To install it, open your browser's extension store (Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, etc.), search for "uBlock Origin," and click the button to add it to your browser. Once installed, it runs automatically — you do not need to turn it on or configure anything to block YouTube ads.

Other extensions like Adblock Plus and AdGuard work similarly. The difference between them is usually how aggressively they block ads and how much they slow down your browser. uBlock Origin is lightweight and blocks most ads without noticeably slowing pages down.

Browser extensions only work on the computer or laptop where you install them. They do not work in the YouTube mobile app on your phone or tablet. If you watch YouTube on multiple devices, you would need to install the extension on each one. YouTube also regularly updates its code to make ad blockers less effective, so extensions sometimes stop working for a few days until the extension developer updates it.

Adjusting your ad preferences in YouTube settings

If you do not want to pay for Premium or install an extension, you can change which ads YouTube shows you. This does not stop ads from playing, but it can make them less frequent or more relevant. Open YouTube, click your profile picture, select "Settings," then go to "Ads" in the left menu. From there you can turn off personalized ads, which tells YouTube not to target ads based on your watch history and search history.

You can also block specific advertisers. If you see an ad you do not want to see again, click the three dots in the corner of the ad and select "Stop seeing this ad." YouTube will not show you ads from that advertiser for a while. This is useful if certain ads keep interrupting you, but it does not reduce the total number of ads.

Turning off personalized ads means you will still see ads, but they will be generic rather than targeted to your interests. Some people find this less annoying because the ads feel less intrusive, even though they still interrupt videos.

Using a VPN or DNS service to block ads

Some people use a VPN (virtual private network) or a DNS service like Pi-hole to block ads across all their devices and apps. These tools work by filtering out ad servers before the ads even reach your device. Unlike browser extensions, they work in the YouTube app on your phone as well as on your computer.

Setting up a VPN or DNS service is more technical than installing a browser extension. You need to read and configure software, and some options require you to set up a device on your home network. If you are not comfortable with that level of setup, a browser extension is simpler. Also, using a VPN can slow down your internet speed slightly because your traffic is being routed through another server.

YouTube is aware of these methods and sometimes blocks traffic from known VPN and DNS services. If you set one up and YouTube ads still appear, YouTube has likely detected and blocked it.

What happens when YouTube detects an ad blocker

YouTube actively works against ad blockers. When it detects that you are using one, it may show you a message asking you to turn it off, or it may straightforward not play videos until you disable the blocker. This is not a technical glitch — YouTube's code is designed to detect extensions and other blocking tools and respond to them.

If you see a message saying "Ad blockers are not allowed on YouTube," you have a few options. You can disable your ad blocker for YouTube only (most extensions let you do this), you can switch to YouTube Premium, or you can try a different ad blocker. Some blockers are harder for YouTube to detect than others, but YouTube updates its detection regularly, so any blocker you use may stop working eventually.

This is why YouTube Premium is the most reliable way to watch without ads — it is the official, supported method that YouTube will not block or interfere with.

How ad blockers affect creators and the YouTube ecosystem

When you use an ad blocker, creators earn no money from your views. YouTube pays creators based on how many ads play to their audience. If you block ads, that creator gets nothing from the time you spend watching their video. For creators who depend on YouTube income, widespread ad blocking reduces their earnings significantly.

This is worth considering if you watch creators whose work you value. Some creators ask viewers to turn off ad blockers, use YouTube Premium (which shares revenue with creators), or support them through other means like Patreon or channel memberships. If you want to support a creator but do not want to pay for Premium, turning off your ad blocker for their channel is one way to do it.

YouTube Premium is the middle ground — you pay a subscription fee, ads disappear, and creators still receive a portion of your subscription cost based on your watch time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block ads on YouTube without paying or using an extension?

Not reliably. Adjusting your ad preferences in YouTube settings reduces targeted ads but does not stop them from playing. YouTube actively blocks free methods like VPNs and DNS services. The only free option that consistently works is a browser extension, but it only works on computers, not phones or tablets.

Will YouTube Premium work on my phone?

Yes. YouTube Premium works on the YouTube app, the YouTube website on mobile browsers, and any other device where you sign into your Google account. Once you subscribe, ads disappear everywhere you are signed in.

Is it illegal to use an ad blocker on YouTube?

No, it is not illegal. However, YouTube's terms of service say you should not use ad blockers on their platform. YouTube can refuse to let you watch videos if it detects a blocker, but they cannot pursue legal action against you for using one. The choice is yours, but YouTube will enforce their policy by blocking playback.

What is the cheapest way to watch YouTube without ads?

A free browser extension like uBlock Origin costs nothing and works on computers. YouTube Premium is the cheapest paid option, though the price varies by country. Some countries offer a mobile-only plan that is cheaper than the full Premium subscription.

Do ad blockers slow down YouTube?

Slightly. Browser extensions use a small amount of your computer's memory and processing power. Most people do not notice a difference, but on older computers or if you have many extensions installed, you might see YouTube load a bit slower. YouTube Premium does not slow anything down.