YouTube responds to user complaints of hiding skip button for ads | Tech Tips

YouTube ads are not very pleasant, especially when you are watching an interesting video. But then again, there is a skip button after you watch the ad for a certain time. However, recently some users have accused YouTube of hiding the skip button by obstructing it with black rectangles. YouTube responded to the accusations. Read along.

No, YouTube is not blocking the skip button

In a statement to The Verge, YouTube spokesperson Oluwa Falodun denied the allegations, The executive said that YouTube is not removing the skip button. “On skippable ads, the button appears after 5 seconds into playback, as always,” Falodun said.

For users who are reporting seeing black rectangles and a missing countdown timer, it could be that the company is adjusting how some elements are presented on the player. The platform is “reducing elements on the ads player,” said the executive. This way users “can engage more deeply with the ad through a cleaner experience.”

Falodun adds that on mobile and desktop, viewers may see a progress bar instead of the countdown timer that they are used to seeing. It looks like YouTube will take on pesky adblockers to make you watch ads but is not going to the lengths of blocking the skip button altogether.

If you are a YouTube Premium member, this complete ad situation is irrelevant. For those unaware, YouTube recently hiked the prices of the premium subscription, making it significantly more expensive than before. The YouTube Premium family plan jumped to Rs 299 for one month from Rs 189. This is a whopping 58 percent hike. The individual plan now costs Rs 149 compared to Rs 129 earlier. 

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