The main ways to stop seeing ads on YouTube
YouTube shows ads in three places: before a video starts, in the middle of longer videos, and as banners on the page itself. You have four realistic options to reduce or remove them. The fastest is to pay for YouTube Premium, which removes all ads across devices. If you do not want to pay, you can use an ad blocker browser extension, adjust your YouTube settings to limit personalized ads, or switch to YouTube's free tier and simply skip ads when they appear. Each method has tradeoffs in terms of cost, effort, and how completely it works.
This guide walks through each option so you can pick what fits your situation. Some methods work on desktop but not mobile, some require setup once and then run automatically, and some require you to take action each time you watch.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Premium removes all ads for about $14 per month and works on every device where you are signed in.
- Ad blocker extensions like uBlock Origin work on desktop browsers but not on the YouTube mobile app or smart TV apps.
- YouTube's built-in settings let you limit personalized ads but do not remove ads entirely.
- Skipping ads manually takes five seconds per ad but costs nothing and requires no setup.
- Different methods work on different devices, so you may need to combine approaches depending on where you watch.
YouTube Premium: the paid option that removes all ads
YouTube Premium is YouTube's official paid subscription. It costs about $14 per month in the United States, though the price varies by country and changes periodically. When you pay, YouTube stops showing ads before videos, mid-roll ads during videos, and banner ads on the page. You also get offline download, background play on mobile, and YouTube Music included.
The main advantage is that it works everywhere: desktop, mobile app, smart TV apps, and any device where you sign into your YouTube account. You do not have to install anything or adjust settings. The tradeoff is the monthly cost. If you watch YouTube heavily across multiple devices, the cost often feels worth it. If you watch occasionally on one device, it may not.
To start, go to YouTube.com, click your profile picture in the top right, and select "Get YouTube Premium." You will be asked to choose a payment method and billing cycle. YouTube offers a free trial period that varies — sometimes one month, sometimes three months — so you can test it before committing.
Ad blockers: free but only on desktop browsers
An ad blocker is a browser extension that stops ads from loading on websites and YouTube. The most popular choices are uBlock Origin, Adblock Plus, and AdGuard. They are free to install and work immediately without any setup beyond adding them to your browser.
The catch is that ad blockers only work in your web browser on desktop. They do not work on the YouTube mobile app, YouTube on smart TVs, or YouTube on gaming consoles. If you watch mostly on your computer, an ad blocker solves the problem completely. If you switch between devices, you will still see ads on your phone or TV.
To install an ad blocker, open your browser's extension store. In Chrome, click the puzzle piece icon in the top right, then "Manage extensions," then visit the Chrome Web Store. Search for "uBlock Origin," click "Add to Chrome," and confirm. The extension runs automatically from then on. In Firefox, the process is similar: click the menu icon, select "Add-ons," search for uBlock Origin, and click "Add to Firefox."
YouTube occasionally detects ad blockers and shows a message asking you to disable them. You can usually dismiss this message and keep watching, though YouTube may eventually restrict your access if you use an ad blocker repeatedly. This is a gray area — YouTube's terms of service say ad blockers violate their rules, but enforcement is inconsistent.
YouTube's built-in settings: limit personalized ads without removing them
YouTube has settings that let you turn off personalized ads, which are ads chosen based on your watch history and search behavior. This does not remove ads entirely — you will still see ads, but they will be random rather than targeted to your interests.
To adjust this on desktop, sign into YouTube, click your profile picture, and select "Settings." Go to "Privacy" on the left side. Under "Ad personalization," toggle the switch to off. On mobile, open the YouTube app, tap your profile picture, go to "Settings," then "Privacy," then turn off "Personalized ads."
This method is honest and follows YouTube's terms of service. The downside is that you still see ads — you just see fewer ads that feel relevant to you. For many people, this is a middle ground between paying and seeing targeted ads, but it does not solve the core problem of ads interrupting your video.
Skipping ads manually: the simplest free option
Most ads on YouTube can be skipped after five seconds. When an ad starts, a "Skip Ad" button appears in the bottom right corner. Click it and the ad stops. This works on every device and requires no setup, payment, or installation.
The tradeoff is that you have to skip ads manually each time you watch. If you watch one video a day, this is barely noticeable. If you watch dozens of videos, the five seconds per ad adds up. Some ads cannot be skipped — these are usually shorter ads or ads from creators who paid for unskippable placement — but most can be.
This is the default experience for free YouTube users and the only method that requires no action beyond watching normally.
Combining methods for different devices
Most people use YouTube on more than one device. Your best approach depends on where you watch most often. If you watch mostly on desktop, an ad blocker is free and complete. If you watch mostly on mobile or TV, YouTube Premium is the only full solution. If you split your time, you might use an ad blocker on desktop and skip ads on mobile, or pay for Premium and use it everywhere.
YouTube Premium is the only method that works across all devices at once. Ad blockers work only on desktop browsers. The settings adjustment works on all devices but does not remove ads. Manual skipping works everywhere but requires action each time.
Think about where you spend the most time watching YouTube. If it is your laptop, an ad blocker is probably your best choice. If it is your phone or you watch on multiple devices, Premium might be worth the cost. If you watch casually, skipping ads manually may be enough.
What to do if YouTube detects your ad blocker
YouTube sometimes shows a message saying "Ad blockers violate our terms of service" and asks you to disable your extension. You can usually close this message and keep watching. However, YouTube may eventually restrict your access or show you a blank screen instead of videos if you continue using an ad blocker.
If this happens, you have three options: disable the ad blocker and watch ads normally, switch to YouTube Premium, or try a different ad blocker (though YouTube may detect those too). Some ad blockers update regularly to work around YouTube's detection, but this is an ongoing cat-and-mouse game.
YouTube's enforcement is inconsistent. Some users report using ad blockers for years without issues. Others get blocked after a few weeks. There is no way to predict which will happen to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an ad blocker on the YouTube mobile app?
No. Ad blockers are browser extensions and only work in web browsers on desktop. The YouTube mobile app does not support extensions. If you want to block ads on mobile, your only option is YouTube Premium or manually skipping ads when they appear.
Does turning off personalized ads remove ads completely?
No. Turning off personalized ads means YouTube will show you random ads instead of ads based on your watch history. You will still see ads before and during videos. This setting only changes which ads you see, not whether you see ads.
Is YouTube Premium worth the cost?
That depends on how much you watch and on how many devices. If you watch YouTube for hours every day across your phone, computer, and TV, Premium saves you time and works everywhere. If you watch occasionally on one device, the monthly cost may not be worth it compared to skipping ads or using an ad blocker.
What happens if YouTube blocks my ad blocker?
YouTube may show you a message asking you to disable it, or it may show a blank screen instead of videos. You can try dismissing the message and continuing to watch, but YouTube may eventually restrict your access. If this happens, you can disable the ad blocker, switch to YouTube Premium, or try a different ad blocker.
Can I use an ad blocker on YouTube on my smart TV?
No. Smart TV apps do not support browser extensions. Ad blockers only work on desktop web browsers. If you want to remove ads on your TV, you need YouTube Premium.