Show HN: YouTube banned adblockers so I built an extension to skip their ads

Article summary

The author built a Chrome extension to skip YouTube ads after the platform banned adblockers. The extension temporarily manipulates the video by muting the volume, setting speed to 10x, and skipping ads if a button is present. The extension is available on the Chrome Webstore and its code is open-sourced on GitHub. This move is a response to YouTube's efforts to prevent adblocking.

Main themes

• adblockers
• YouTube anti-adblocking measures
• browser-specific issues
• alternative video players
• user experience
• adblocking arms race

What commenters say

• Some users have not experienced any issues with adblockers on YouTube, suggesting that the platform's anti-adblocking measures may be rolled out gradually or inconsistently.
• YouTube's detection of adblockers may be browser-specific, with some users reporting that they are only affected when using Chrome.
• The use of adblockers is seen as an arms race between users and the platform, with some arguing that it is an unwinnable battle.
• Some users prefer to use alternative video players, such as NewPipe, which can provide a better viewing experience and more control over ads.
• The effectiveness of adblockers may depend on whether the user is logged in to their YouTube account or not.
• Some users have found ways to bypass YouTube's anti-adblocking measures by updating their filters or using specific extensions.
• The development of adblocking extensions may be hindered by the fact that YouTube and the Chrome Web Store are both owned by Google, which could lead to takedowns or restrictions.
• Alternative solutions, such as Sponsorblock, can provide additional features and functionality for users who want to avoid ads and sponsored content.