The three ways to stop seeing ads on YouTube
You can reduce or remove ads on YouTube through YouTube Premium, by using an ad blocker in your browser, or by adjusting your YouTube settings to limit certain ad types. YouTube Premium is the official paid option that removes most ads entirely. Ad blockers are free browser extensions that block ads across many websites, including YouTube, but they work differently depending on which one you choose and which device you're using. Your YouTube settings let you control some ad preferences, though this approach won't remove ads — it only changes which ads you see.
Each method has a different trade-off. YouTube Premium costs money but is the simplest and works on all your devices. Ad blockers are free but may break some YouTube features or slow your browser slightly. Adjusting your settings is free and doesn't require installing anything, but ads will still play.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Premium removes most ads for a monthly fee and works across all your devices where you're signed in.
- Ad blockers like uBlock Origin or Adblock Plus are free browser extensions that block ads on YouTube and other websites, though they occasionally need updating when YouTube changes how it serves ads.
- Adjusting your ad preferences in YouTube settings reduces targeted ads but does not remove ads entirely.
- Ad blockers work only in the browser where you install them, so ads will still play on YouTube's mobile app unless you use YouTube Premium.
YouTube Premium: the official paid option
YouTube Premium removes ads from videos, YouTube Music, and YouTube Shorts for a monthly subscription. As of 2024, YouTube Premium costs $13.99 per month in the United States, though the price varies by country and may change. The subscription covers all devices where you sign in with your account — your phone, tablet, computer, and smart TV.
When you subscribe, ads disappear from the beginning, middle, and end of videos. You also get offline viewing (read videos to watch without internet), background play (listen to videos with your screen off), and access to YouTube Music Premium. If you share your household with others, YouTube Premium Family costs more but covers up to six people.
To start a YouTube Premium subscription, open YouTube on any device, click your profile picture in the top right corner, select "Get YouTube Premium," and follow the payment steps. You can cancel anytime from your account settings.
Ad blockers: free browser extensions that block ads
Ad blockers are small programs you install in your web browser that prevent ads from loading on YouTube and most other websites. The most common ones are uBlock Origin, Adblock Plus, and AdGuard. They are free to install and use, and they work on computers and tablets — but not on the YouTube mobile app.
To install an ad blocker, open your browser's extension store. In Chrome, click the puzzle piece icon in the top right, then "Manage extensions," then visit the Chrome Web Store. Search for "uBlock Origin" or "Adblock Plus," click "Add to Chrome," and confirm. In Firefox, go to the Firefox Add-ons page, search for the same extensions, and click "Add to Firefox." Once installed, the extension runs automatically and blocks ads on YouTube and other sites.
Ad blockers occasionally stop working when YouTube changes how it delivers ads. When this happens, the extension developers usually update their software within days or weeks. You don't have to do anything — the update happens in the background. If ads suddenly reappear, check your browser's extension page to see if an update is pending, or disable and re-enable the extension.
One limitation: ad blockers work only in the browser where you install them. If you watch YouTube on your phone's app, ads will still play unless you use YouTube Premium. Some ad blockers also slow down your browser slightly or occasionally break YouTube features like live chat or video playback — this is rare but worth testing after you install one.
Adjusting your ad preferences in YouTube settings
YouTube lets you control which ads you see, though you cannot remove ads entirely this way. Open YouTube, click your profile picture, select "Settings," then go to "Ads." From there you can see your ad topics and remove categories you don't want to see targeted ads for — for example, you could remove "Fitness & wellness" if you don't want ads about gyms.
You can also reset your ad ID, which clears YouTube's record of your interests and starts fresh. This doesn't stop ads from playing, but it means YouTube will show you less targeted ads until it learns your interests again. This option is useful if you feel YouTube's ad targeting is too specific or if you shared your device with someone else.
This approach is the least effective of the three methods because ads will still play — you're only changing which ads appear. It's useful if you want some control over your privacy without paying or installing software, but it won't reduce the number of ads you see.
How ad blockers and YouTube Premium work on different devices
| Device | YouTube Premium | Ad Blocker | Settings Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) | Removes ads | Removes ads | Changes which ads appear |
| Tablet (browser) | Removes ads | Removes ads | Changes which ads appear |
| Phone (YouTube app) | Removes ads | Does not work | Changes which ads appear |
| Smart TV | Removes ads | Does not work | Changes which ads appear |
Why YouTube shows ads and what happens when you block them
YouTube shows ads because video creators and YouTube itself earn money from advertising. When you watch an ad, a small amount of that revenue goes to the creator of the video you're watching. Blocking ads means creators earn less from your views — this is why some creators ask viewers to turn off ad blockers or subscribe to their channel directly.
YouTube Premium and ad blockers both reduce creator revenue, but YouTube Premium shares some of that subscription fee with creators based on how much you watch their videos. Ad blockers don't share any revenue with creators. If you watch a creator regularly and want to support them, YouTube Premium or channel membership (a paid subscription to a specific creator) are better options than ad blockers.
YouTube's terms of service technically prohibit ad blockers, though YouTube does not ban accounts for using them. The company occasionally updates its ad delivery system to make blocking harder, which is why ad blockers sometimes stop working temporarily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will YouTube ban my account if I use an ad blocker?
No. YouTube's terms of service discourage ad blockers, but the company does not suspend or delete accounts for using them. However, YouTube does work to make ad blockers less effective, so you may see ads reappear periodically.
Can I use an ad blocker on the YouTube mobile app?
Ad blockers do not work on the official YouTube app on phones or tablets. They work only in web browsers. If you want to block ads on mobile, you would need to watch YouTube through your phone's browser instead of the app, though this is less convenient.
Is YouTube Premium worth the cost?
That depends on how much you watch YouTube and whether you value the other features like offline viewing and background play. If you watch YouTube for several hours a day, the cost per hour is low. If you watch occasionally, an ad blocker or adjusting your settings might be enough.
What's the difference between uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus?
Both block ads on YouTube, but uBlock Origin is lighter on your computer's memory and is updated more frequently. Adblock Plus is also reliable but uses more resources. For most people, either one works fine — try one and switch if you have problems.
If I use an ad blocker, do creators still get paid?
No. When you block ads, creators earn nothing from your view. If you watch a creator regularly, YouTube Premium or a direct channel membership supports them better than an ad blocker does.