The main ways to stop YouTube ads
YouTube shows ads in three ways: before a video starts, during the video, and in the sidebar. You have four realistic options to reduce or remove them. YouTube Premium removes all ads but costs money. Ad blockers are free browser extensions that hide ads on most devices. YouTube's built-in controls let you skip some ads after five seconds or tell YouTube not to show ads from certain advertisers. And watching on certain apps or devices sometimes bypasses ads entirely, though YouTube is closing these gaps.
The trade-off is simple: YouTube makes money from ads. If you use an ad blocker or find a workaround, you are using the service without paying for it or watching ads. YouTube's terms of service forbid ad blockers, but enforcement is inconsistent. Premium is the method YouTube officially supports and the only one that guarantees no ads across all devices.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Premium removes all ads for a monthly fee and works on phones, computers, and the YouTube app.
- Ad blockers like uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus work on desktop browsers but not on the YouTube app or mobile browsers.
- You can skip ads after five seconds on most videos and tell YouTube not to show ads from specific companies.
- YouTube actively blocks ad blockers and workarounds, so methods that work today may stop working in weeks or months.
- Watching YouTube through third-party apps like NewPipe (Android only) can avoid ads, but these apps lack features the official app has.
YouTube Premium: the official paid option
YouTube Premium costs $13.99 per month in the United States, though the price varies by country. It removes all ads from videos, YouTube Music, and YouTube Shorts. You can download videos to watch offline, and playback continues where you left off across devices.
Premium works on the YouTube website, the YouTube app on phones and tablets, and smart TVs. If you share a YouTube account with family members, they see ads unless they have their own Premium membership. YouTube offers a one-month free trial, after which your payment method is charged monthly. You can cancel anytime through your Google Account settings.
The main drawback is cost. If you watch YouTube daily, Premium pays for itself quickly. If you watch occasionally, the monthly fee may not be worth it.
Ad blockers on desktop browsers
Ad blockers are browser extensions that hide ads before they load. The most popular are uBlock Origin (free, open-source), Adblock Plus (free with optional paid version), and AdGuard (free and paid versions). All three work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari on desktop computers.
To install one: open your browser's extension store (Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, etc.), search for the ad blocker name, and click "Add to [Browser]". Refresh YouTube and ads should disappear. If ads still appear, the ad blocker may need updating — YouTube frequently changes how it delivers ads to break blockers, and blocker developers update their tools to match.
Ad blockers do not work on the YouTube mobile app or on mobile browsers like Chrome on iPhone or Android. They only work in desktop browsers. YouTube's terms of service prohibit ad blockers, but the company does not ban accounts for using them — it simply tries to make them stop working.
YouTube's built-in ad controls
You do not need an extension or payment to reduce ads. YouTube lets you skip most ads after five seconds. When an ad starts, a timer appears in the bottom-left corner. After five seconds, a "Skip Ad" button appears. Click it to jump to the video.
You can also tell YouTube not to show ads from specific companies. During an ad, click the three-dot menu and select "Stop seeing this ad" or "Report ad". YouTube asks why you do not want to see it. Your choice does not block the company entirely — YouTube just shows you fewer ads from them.
These controls are built into YouTube and require no extensions or payment. They do not remove ads, but they reduce how many you watch. This is the method YouTube officially supports for users who do not want Premium.
Third-party apps and workarounds
NewPipe is a free, open-source app for Android that plays YouTube videos without ads. It is not available on the Google Play Store — you download it from F-Droid, a separate app store. NewPipe has no ads, lets you download videos, and plays audio in the background. However, it lacks features the official app has: no recommendations, no subscriptions, no watch history synced across devices, and no live chat during streams.
Other workarounds exist — some people use YouTube through a web browser on their phone, or watch through apps designed for music (like YouTube Music) — but YouTube is actively closing these gaps. Methods that work today may stop working in weeks.
The risk with third-party apps is that they violate YouTube's terms of service. YouTube can ban accounts that use them, though bans are rare. If you use NewPipe or similar apps, use a secondary account you do not mind losing.
Why YouTube keeps blocking ad blockers
YouTube's parent company, Google, makes most of its money from advertising. When you block ads, YouTube loses the money it would have earned from advertisers. For this reason, YouTube updates its ad system regularly to break ad blockers. When uBlock Origin or Adblock Plus stops working, it is because YouTube changed something, and the blocker's developers have to update their code to match.
This cycle repeats every few weeks to months. If you rely on an ad blocker, expect it to stop working occasionally and require updates. Checking for updates in your browser's extension settings keeps your blocker working longer.
YouTube also tests ways to block users who use ad blockers. In 2023 and 2024, YouTube began showing messages to ad blocker users asking them to disable the blocker or buy Premium. These messages do not prevent you from watching, but they are a sign that YouTube is tightening enforcement.
Comparing your options
| Method | Cost | Works on desktop | Works on mobile app | Removes all ads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Premium | $13.99/month | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ad blocker (uBlock Origin, etc.) | Free | Yes | No | Yes |
| Skip ads after 5 seconds | Free | Yes | Yes | No |
| NewPipe (Android only) | Free | No | Yes | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to use an ad blocker on YouTube?
No, ad blockers are legal software. Using one violates YouTube's terms of service, not the law. YouTube can theoretically ban your account, but does not routinely do so. The risk is low, but it exists.
Will YouTube ban me for using an ad blocker?
YouTube has not announced a widespread ban for ad blocker users. The company shows messages asking you to disable the blocker or buy Premium, but these are warnings, not enforcement. Bans are possible but uncommon. If you are worried, use a secondary account.
Why does my ad blocker stop working?
YouTube changes how it delivers ads every few weeks. Ad blockers have to update their code to keep working. Check your browser's extension settings for updates, or enable automatic updates if your browser offers that option.
Can I use an ad blocker on my phone?
Ad blockers do not work on the YouTube app on any phone. Some mobile browsers (like Firefox on Android) support extensions, but YouTube often detects and blocks them. NewPipe is the most reliable ad-free option for Android phones.
Is YouTube Premium worth the cost?
That depends on how much you watch. If you use YouTube for an hour or more daily, Premium costs less than a coffee per day. If you watch a few videos a week, the cost may not be worth it. The free options (skipping ads, ad blockers on desktop) are available if you want to avoid paying.