The three ways to remove ads from YouTube
YouTube shows ads in three places: before a video starts, during the video, and in the sidebar. You can reduce or remove them entirely through YouTube Premium, by using an ad blocker, or by adjusting your account settings. YouTube Premium is the official paid option and costs money monthly. Ad blockers are free browser extensions that stop ads from loading. Account settings let you turn off personalized ads, though you will still see some ads — they just will not be based on your viewing history.
Which method works best depends on what devices you use and how much you are willing to spend. If you watch YouTube on your phone, tablet, and computer, Premium covers all of them. If you only watch on a desktop browser, an ad blocker is free and takes two minutes to install. If you want to keep using YouTube free but prefer fewer targeted ads, the settings route requires no software but leaves some ads in place.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Premium removes all ads across all your devices for a monthly fee, and also includes offline downloads and background play.
- Ad blockers are free browser extensions that stop ads from loading, but only work on the device and browser where you install them.
- Turning off personalized ads in your account settings reduces targeted advertising but does not remove ads entirely.
- YouTube Premium is the only method that works on the YouTube app on phones and tablets without additional software.
YouTube Premium: the official paid option
YouTube Premium removes all ads before, during, and after videos on any device where you are signed in. It costs between $11.99 and $13.99 per month depending on your region, though YouTube occasionally offers discounted rates for new subscribers. The subscription also includes offline downloads (save videos to watch without internet), background play (listen to videos with your screen off), and access to YouTube Music Premium at no extra cost.
To start a free trial or subscribe, open YouTube on any device, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select "Get YouTube Premium." You will see the current price and can choose monthly or annual billing. Annual billing costs less per month but charges you all at once. You can cancel anytime, and your access continues until the end of your billing period.
Premium works on phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs — anywhere you sign into your YouTube account. This makes it the only method that removes ads from the YouTube mobile app without installing anything else.
Ad blockers: free browser extensions for desktop
An ad blocker is a small program you add to your web browser that stops ads from loading before they appear on screen. Popular options include uBlock Origin, Adblock Plus, and AdGuard. They are all free, take about two minutes to install, and start working when ready. Ad blockers only work in the browser where you install them, so if you use Chrome on your laptop and Safari on your tablet, you would need to install the blocker in both browsers separately.
To install an ad blocker in Chrome, open the Chrome Web Store, search for "uBlock Origin," click the extension, and select "Add to Chrome." A popup will ask you to confirm — click "Add extension." A small icon will appear in your toolbar. That is all you need to do. The next time you visit YouTube, ads will not load. If you use Firefox, Edge, or Safari, the process is identical except you go to that browser's extension store instead.
Ad blockers do not work on the YouTube mobile app — they only block ads in web browsers. If you watch YouTube mostly on your phone, an ad blocker will not help. Some ad blockers also require you to whitelist certain websites to support them, though uBlock Origin does not.
Turning off personalized ads in your account settings
You can reduce the number of targeted ads by turning off personalized advertising in your YouTube account. This does not remove ads entirely, but it stops YouTube from showing you ads based on your watch history, search history, and other browsing data. The ads will still appear — they just will not be tailored to your interests.
To change this setting, click your profile picture in the top right corner of YouTube and select "Settings." Click "Privacy" in the left menu, then find "Manage all privacy settings." Look for the option labeled "Personalized ads" and toggle it off. The change takes effect when ready, though it may take a few hours for the new ads to start showing.
This method is free and requires no software, but it is the least effective at reducing the total number of ads you see. Use it if you want to limit data collection without paying for Premium or installing an ad blocker.
Why YouTube shows ads and what you should know
YouTube shows ads because creators earn money from them — typically between $0.25 and $4 per 1,000 views, though the amount varies widely. When you remove ads, creators on that video earn nothing from your view. YouTube Premium subscribers pay a monthly fee, and YouTube shares a portion of that money with creators based on how much Premium members watch their videos.
Ad blockers prevent creators from earning money from your views entirely. If you regularly watch a creator whose work you value, watching with ads enabled or subscribing to YouTube Premium is the way they actually get paid. Many creators also have other income sources like sponsorships, merchandise, or channel memberships, which are not affected by ad blockers.
Comparing your options side by side
| Method | Cost | Works on Mobile App | Works on Desktop | Removes All Ads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Premium | $11.99–$13.99/month | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ad Blocker | Free | No | Yes | Yes |
| Turn Off Personalized Ads | Free | Yes | Yes | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will YouTube ban me for using an ad blocker?
YouTube does not ban accounts for using ad blockers, but the company has started showing messages asking you to disable them. Some videos may refuse to play if an ad blocker is detected. YouTube is within its rights to do this since ad blockers prevent creators from earning revenue.
Can I use an ad blocker on the YouTube mobile app?
Ad blockers do not work on the official YouTube app on iOS or Android. They only work in web browsers. If you watch YouTube in a mobile browser instead of the app, some ad blockers will work, though mobile browsers are slower and less convenient than the app.
Does YouTube Premium include YouTube Music?
Yes. YouTube Premium includes full access to YouTube Music Premium at no extra cost. You can listen to music without ads, read songs offline, and play music with your screen off.
If I turn off personalized ads, will I see fewer ads total?
No. Turning off personalized ads reduces the relevance of the ads you see, but YouTube will still show the same number of ads. The ads straightforward will not be based on your viewing habits.
What happens to my YouTube Premium if I cancel?
Your Premium access continues until the end of your current billing period. After that, ads return and you lose offline downloads and background play. You can resubscribe anytime.