Google’s push for mandatory YouTube ads could shift user behavior

YouTube started cracking down on ad-blockers in order to ensure that ads are visible on its platform. A new research report says that this move by YouTube to force users to see ads could shift user behavior on how they use the streaming platform. Some users also voted to look for a different streaming platform to feed their video-watching needs.

Data security and privacy website All About Cookies researched over 1,000 YouTube users and they were given multiple options to choose from in regard to the ongoing YouTube's curb on ad-blockers. The six options included; I’m more likely to want to use an ad-blocker, I’ll probably spend less time on YouTube, I’ll look for ad-free alternatives to YouTube, I’m more likely to pay for YouTube Premium, I’m less likely to try to use an ad-blocker, and No change.

Majority still don't want to pay for YouTube Premium for an ad-free experience

This research showed that 22% of users will use ad-blockers. Interestingly, 16% of users voted in favor of spending less time on YouTube. 15% of the users who took part in the YouTube research on the crackdown on ad-blockers opted to look at alternatives to YouTube. Only 12% of the people said that YouTube's crackdown on ad-blockers made them opt for a YouTube Premium subscription.

Moreover, 11% said the YouTube crackdown on ad-blockers had discouraged them from using an ad-blocker. But, 44% said that they will continue how they currently use YouTube. Another interesting bit from the research is that the majority resisted purchasing YouTube Premium for an ad-free experience.

Many individuals believe that they would look for a better and more robust ad-blocker to get past ads on YouTube. Some folks are also willing to pay for a good ad-blocker. Is it preferable to spend a small fee for an ad-blocker to block ads on YouTube than to pay for a YouTube Premium subscription? Please share your ideas in the comments section below.