YouTube has stated that the slowdown in video loading on its platform that users have noticed in Firefox is not linked to any specific browser, but rather a measure taken to encourage users to stop using ad blockers.
Some users have reported experiencing a five-second delay in video loading when using Firefox, with the screen remaining black for several seconds before the video starts playing. However, this issue has not been observed in other browsers such as Chrome.
YouTube has confirmed that this delay is due to the use of ad blocker extensions in Firefox and is not dependent on the browser being used. A YouTube spokesperson explained that users with ad blockers installed may experience suboptimal display regardless of the browser they use. The company has launched an effort to encourage users to either allow ads on YouTube or try a subscription to the Premium version if they do not want advertising.
This delay in video playback is another measure that YouTube has implemented to deter the use of ad blockers, adding to previous measures such as warnings and the possibility of video playback being blocked if ad blockers are detected. As Google’s main business is advertising, fighting against ad blockers is crucial for its YouTube platform. However, there are concerns that this could lead to violations of user privacy by using spyware to detect these programs in browsers.
