YouTube video lag wrongly blamed on its ad-blocking animus
- Reference: 1705480451
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2024/01/17/youtube_video_lag_ads/
- Source link:
The extensions in question are Adblock Plus, a popular browser add-on for zapping adverts before they're shown, and a related one called AdBlock.
YouTube's decision last year to make its [1]policy against ad blocking more visible – by [2]presenting a dialog box during video playback interrupting people to disable such filtering software – may have helped make it the prime suspect in this recent drama.
[3]
In November 2023, the Google-owned vid-streaming site confirmed to The Register that it [4]intentionally imposed a page-loading delay for those browsing YouTube while running ad-blocking extensions.
[5]
[6]
At the time, reports indicated that some individuals not using blocking extensions also experienced loading delays. In response, Google suggested those issues were likely a caching issue for those who had disabled previously active blocking extensions, and that fully reloading a webpage would sort things out.
That suggestion came shortly after privacy advocate Alexander Hanff filed [7]a complaint in Ireland claiming YouTube had violated European privacy law by running ad blocker detection scripts without explicit consent. The complaint remains unresolved.
[8]
The Register understands Ireland's Data Protection Commission is likely to delay any decision until the European Data Protection Board rules on a related matter – whether Meta's " [9]Pay or Consent " policy, in which consent for data usage is assumed if a Facebook/Instagram user decides not to pay for a subscription, is lawful.
In light of YouTube's stance on advertising blockers, it's perhaps predictable that people posting to an Adblock Plus [10]support page and to [11]Reddit blamed Google’s streaming service for dismal video performance that seems to have started about a week ago.
Netizens complained their videos were taking longer to buffer, causing spluttering playback, and that this was a result of YouTube deliberately retaliating against ad blockers.
[12]Meta, YouTube face criminal spying complaints in Ireland
[13]YouTube cares less for your privacy than its revenues
[14]Google bins integrity API that looked more than a bit like horrible DRM for websites
[15]YouTube's 'Ad blockers not allowed' pop-up scares the bejesus out of netizens
YouTube, however, insists it is not to blame, contrary to some [16]recent [17]coverage of the matter.
"Recent reports of users experiencing loading delays on YouTube are unrelated to our ad blocker detection efforts," a Google spokesperson told The Register in an emailed statement. "Our [18]help center offers troubleshooting tips for users experiencing issues."
[19]
Raymond Hill, creator of the open source uBlock Origin ad blocking extension (which isn’t affected by slowdowns), confirmed as much over the weekend in a social media [20]thread by noting that the reported problems can be traced to [21]a bug in Adblock Plus 3.22 and AdBlock 5.17.
While the two tools share a name (but not CamelCase spelling) they are [22]separate but related projects that are both [23]owned by eyeo , an ad filtering company that makes money by not blocking so-called “Acceptable Ads,” for a fee. The Germany-based biz, run since 2022 by Frank Einecke, former Google managing director of global marketing partners, [24]stated in November 2023 that ad blocking is expected to cost publishers $54 billion in 2024.
According to Hill, the performance issues affecting the two browser add-ons extend beyond YouTube and worsen if users employ multiple ad blocking extensions, which can interfere with one another and magnify computer resource usage.
The bug was removed in the [25]3.22.1 Adblock Plus release and [26]5.17.1 AdBlock release .
Hill, unsurprisingly, recommends the free uBlock Origin over alternative blocking extensions based on resource usage, a longstanding issue for extensions that Google has cited as a justification for its Manifest v3 architecture rewrite.
Even in the fixed versions of Adblock Plus and AdBlock (which use the same injected scripts), he [27]said , "[AdBlock's] injected scripts on YouTube still account for over 20 percent of CPU usage," compared to just 1 percent for uBlock Origin.
Another reason to avoid Adblock Plus and AdBlock, Hill claimed last month, is that both allegedly use a [28]fake progress bar to encourage users of the free extensions to purchase a paid version.
Eyeo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Hill observed that the bug appears to be the result of code refactoring undertaken to make the extensions work under Manifest v3. The bug-afflicted Adblock Plus 3.22 release specifically mentions that the update "introduces differential filter list updates, which are crucial to continue delivering frequent updates to filter lists under Manifest v3."
When Google [29]phases out its legacy extension architecture, possibly as soon as June 2024, Manifest v3, uBlock Origin is expected to stop working. A less capable version, dubbed, [30]uBlock Origin Lite already functions under Manifest v3. ®
Get our [31]Tech Resources
[1] https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/14129599?hl=en
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2023/05/10/youtube_ad_blockers/
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZaezVS57D8kcoFPQQ6KzqQAAAI4&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/21/ad_block_google/
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZaezVS57D8kcoFPQQ6KzqQAAAI4&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZaezVS57D8kcoFPQQ6KzqQAAAI4&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/11/meta_youtube_criminal_charges/
[8] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZaezVS57D8kcoFPQQ6KzqQAAAI4&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[9] https://www.beuc.eu/press-releases/consumer-groups-file-complaint-against-metas-unfair-pay-or-consent-model
[10] https://blog.adblockplus.org/releases/adblock-plus-322-for-chrome-firefox-microsoft-edge-and-opera#c008386
[11] https://www.reddit.com/r/youtube/comments/195octe/youtube_started_slowing_video_buffer_with_adblock/
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/11/meta_youtube_criminal_charges/
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/06/youtube_ad_blockers_opinion/
[14] https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/02/google_abandons_web_environment_integrity/
[15] https://www.theregister.com/2023/05/10/youtube_ad_blockers/
[16] https://9to5google.com/2024/01/13/youtube-new-wave-slow-downs-ad-blocker/
[17] https://www.androidpolice.com/youtube-slow-load-times-ad-blocker/
[18] https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/3037019?hl=en
[19] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZaezVS57D8kcoFPQQ6KzqQAAAI4&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[20] https://x.com/gorhill/status/1746263759495077919
[21] https://gitlab.com/adblockinc/ext/adblockplus/adblockplusui/-/issues/1576#note_1727415603
[22] https://help.adblockplus.org/hc/en-us/articles/360062733133-Is-Adblock-Plus-the-same-thing-as-AdBlock-
[23] https://www.adexchanger.com/online-advertising/eyeo-owner-of-adblock-plus-is-acquiring-blockthrough-with-a-focus-on-ad-filtering/
[24] https://resources.eyeo.com/ad-filtering-report-pr
[25] https://blog.adblockplus.org/releases/adblock-plus-3221-for-chrome-firefox-microsoft-edge-and-opera
[26] https://gitlab.com/adblockinc/ext/adblock/adblock/-/releases/v5.17.1
[27] https://x.com/gorhill/status/1747044995217887643
[28] https://x.com/gorhill/status/1735718771908628724
[29] https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/18/google_kills_legacy_extensions/
[30] https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/ublock-origin-lite/ddkjiahejlhfcafbddmgiahcphecmpfh
[31] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: I can smell something... smells a lot like bullshit
You haven't read the article at all, have you? If you update your adblocker to the latest version, or change to a different adblocker, it will run fine.
Re: I can smell something... smells a lot like bullshit
I did read it, i use firefox, ublock, noscript, privacy badger and so forth... I'm just sick and tired of these wargames and the constant back and forth with entitled wanker corps and their belief that they are entitled to my information and privacy, as well as the money in my wallet if I dare to object to their rightful ownership of it.
Re: I can smell something... smells a lot like bullshit
"I'm just sick and tired of these wargames and the constant back and forth with entitled wanker corps and their belief that they are entitled to my information and privacy"
And I'm sick of entitled wanker users running around expecting the world on a plate for free.
If you're using a 'free' service, like YouTube, then it's fair that they lay down certain T&Cs in order to monetise. In the case of YouTube, you get access to videos, a content creation suite and a platform for promotion, in exchange for your data which pays for the service. You don't have to use it, and they're not obliged to provide it to you free of charge.
Either man up, stop trying to get something for nothing, or stop using it. Either way, stop complaining.
Re: it will run fine
until Google update their system to detect all adblockers and simply refuse to show anything let alone a message saying that YouTube does not like you for using an adblocker.
It is a war of attrition.the Adblockers work out a fix, Google blocks that fix... rinse and repeat.
FSCK Google and all that it slurps from us without asking.
Re: it will run fine
"until Google update their system to detect all adblockers and simply refuse to show anything let alone a message saying that YouTube does not like you for using an adblocker."
Which they're perfectly entitled to do, in exchange for providing a 'free' service. There's no reason why they should provide the service without compensation in some form or other, and your data is the currency which pays for it.
Re: I can smell something... smells a lot like bullshit
Yes, and users feel like they're entitled to google's storage and bandwidth. You'll have to forgive me if I assume they're a bunch of pretentious, lazy wankers.
Google doesn't force feed anybody anything.
You can always ... ignore them.
Although I can agree with "The Dogs Meevonks" comment, just moving to a better browser is less drastic cause of action than a "nuke'm" policy but when the only alternative is Firefox which needs to play catchup, rethink is UI or lets be honest go back to what made Firefox the best browser and the rest are Chrome clones.
Firefox works fine for me, don't get all the hate. That said, I use it with NoScript, UBlock Origin, and various other addons (ClearURLs is a favorite of mine).
I also use Brave, which kills ads by default. I wonder what is going to happen to them.
In any case, I've never seen a popup warning about ad blocking on Firefox - probably because NoScript kills that.
I love NoScript. I'll keep using it on every browser I have for as long as I can.
Firefox UBlock fine
Just works, as expected
Re: Firefox UBlock fine
Yep, can concur
I use firefox with numerous plugins (noscript/ublock/privacy badger and so forth, plus others like clearurls and a couple of youtube ones to get rid of 'shorts' and enhance playback... I place all google sites in their own container too.
But I must confess that I'm sick and tired of playing this wargame... having to constantly battle against sites who want to invade my privacy and harvest everything about me without my consent.
So if I could 'nuke em' in some way... I would. :)
The Lords Work
Raymond Hill is doing the Lords Work.
If I met him in person, I would buy him a case of lager.
uBlock Origin FTW
So glad I don't have to use the 'Spawn of Satan' icon for once.
uBlock Origin has always been better than Adblock/Adblock Plus since it came into being specifically because Adblock was such a bloated pig at that point. Like the UO page says 'Finally, an efficient wide-spectrum content blocker. Easy on CPU and memory.' I can't see any reason to be using Adblock anything rather than uBlock Origin - I guess people just don't know and Adblock is the first thing they find.
Re: uBlock Origin FTW
Another happy uBlock Origin user here
Re: uBlock Origin FTW
/AOL me to!
Although I did kinda hope it was AlphaGoo getting up to it's usual evil. After all, they argue that 'Net Neutrality would lead to evil service providers deliberately slowing down content for customers that didn't pay. AlphaGoo wouldn't do that themselves of course.
Re: uBlock Origin FTW
Moved to it from ABP no regrets use it on mobile too, so get surprised when other phone users see adverts and I do not.
Ask me 30 years ago if I thought it'd be mandatory to be running a massive, distributed game of Core Wars all over my PC, and I'd call you crazy. Yet, here we are.
What a time to be alive.
Surprise, surprise
"...Adblock Plus 3.22 and AdBlock 5.17...are separate but related projects that are both owned by eyeo, an ad filtering company that makes money by not blocking so-called “Acceptable Ads,” for a fee. The Germany-based biz, run since 2022 by Frank Einecke, former Google managing director of global marketing partners"
There you have it: two ad-blockers that don't block ads, whose parent company is run by a person who used to be a marketing overlord at an ad company.
Shady.
I can smell something... smells a lot like bullshit
I've seen videos of people using youtube and content not loading, and then turning of their adblocker and the content loads perfectly.
I've tried this myself and have experienced exactly the same thing.
So you'll have to forgive me if I assume that google are a bunch of lying, wankers who have declared war on anyone who dares to try and stop their invasive, toxic behaviours. They only have themselves to blame for people wanting to block them, because they're toxic, they're entitled and think they have a right to our data, our privacy and to force feed us whatever any fucker is willing to pay them to do... whether we like it or not.
Fuck the ad industry and those that support their practices.
Nuke em from orbit... it's the only way to be sure.