r/technology Jan 25 '25

Social Media Frustrated YouTube viewers seek explanation for hour-long unskippable ads (Update: Statement)

https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-long-unskippable-ads-problem-3519957/
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u/ObscuraGaming Jan 25 '25

We really have to rethink all of this. I as a developer consider this to be a vicious cycle and it's only going to get worse.

People hate ads > People avoid ads like the plague > Companies pay essentially nothing per ad viewed > Developer barely makes money > Developer increases ad frequency > People hate ads ...

398

u/mynameisollie Jan 25 '25

They’ve got so bad on YouTube, if I’m watching on my TV I just end up turning it off and doing something else because they’re too annoying. I can imagine that’s the last thing they’d want.

44

u/I_WANT_SAUSAGES Jan 25 '25

Yeah, they did this to themselves. I eventually put SmartTube on my TV, but I probably wouldn't have bothered if the ads hadn't gotten SO intrusive in the last year or so. They got greedy.

2

u/robodrew Jan 25 '25

SmartTube is better than Youtube in almost every way, beyond even just blocking ads. It's just a straight up better UI.