Is YouTube Deliberately Slowing Your Computer and Spiking Your CPU to Force Premium Subscriptions? We Investigate
We’ve been closely monitoring disturbing reports circulating online, suggesting that YouTube may be intentionally throttling video playback and even causing CPU spikes on viewers’ computers if they use ad blockers. While these claims have not been fully confirmed, this wouldn’t be the first time users have reported such issues, raising serious questions about YouTube’s tactics to push its Premium subscription service.
Many users across various platforms, including Reddit, have noticed significantly slower speeds and degraded performance when attempting to watch YouTube videos with an ad blocker enabled. This isn’t a new phenomenon; earlier this year, similar complaints arose, though YouTube ultimately denied any deliberate action, attributing issues to a “bug”. However, the latest wave of slowdowns appears to be more aggressive, with some users reporting that YouTube.com has become incredibly slow, even spiking CPU usage on their machines when an ad blocker is installed.
YouTube has issued statements claiming these latest browser slowdowns are not of its own doing and are “unrelated to its ad blocker detection,” suggesting they are simply a “bug with ad block” software itself. However, given YouTube’s primary income source is advertising and data sales, we, and many users, find it challenging to believe these issues are mere coincidences.
This alleged action marks a significant escalation in what many describe as YouTube’s long-standing “war” against ad blockers. For years, YouTube has been trying to compel more users to pay for its subscription services, YouTube Premium and Premium Light, by closing loopholes in browser extensions. Users have been receiving pop-up messages warning that ad blockers are not allowed and violate YouTube’s terms of service, reportedly leading to pages that indicate ad blockers could affect video playback. Many have documented screenshots of these warnings, urging them to disable their ad blocker or pay for a subscription.
The current situation is particularly frustrating for viewers, especially considering recent changes to YouTube’s Premium offerings. Despite paying for a “Premium Light” subscription, which is a cheaper option designed to block most ads, YouTube has already announced that ads will start appearing on Shorts for these subscribers. This move, coming shortly after users committed to paying for ad-free viewing, suggests a trend where subscribers may eventually see even more ads. Furthermore, YouTube Premium prices have also seen significant hikes, with reports indicating a 62% increase in April.
From an advertiser’s perspective, forcing ads on users who have actively tried to avoid them can be counterproductive. As we’ve experienced with our own content and sponsors, viewers who don’t want to see ads are unlikely to engage positively with them or purchase advertised products. Ultimately, YouTube’s aggressive stance against ad blockers, potentially to the point of impacting user computer performance, may only serve to alienate more viewers rather than encourage subscriptions.
