After ad blocker users were shown unskippable ads for nearly three hours, YouTube said it 'did not set up such ads'

Since around January 2025, there have been a series of reports of YouTube displaying unskippable ads that last for several hours. Since these ads are being displayed to users of 'ad blockers' that block YouTube ads, there has been speculation that YouTube is intentionally displaying ads for long periods of time to counter ad blockers, but YouTube has denied the rumors, saying, 'We do not set such ads.'

Frustrated YouTube viewers seek explanation for hour-long unskippable ads (Updated: Clarification) - Android Authority
https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-long-unskippable-ads-problem-3519957/

YouTube denies serving hourslong unskippable ads to ad blocker users | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/news/597270/youtube-long-unskippable-ads-ad-blockers

YouTube has warned users that 'blocking YouTube ads is a violation of YouTube's Terms of Service' and that 'continued use of an ad blocker may block video playback,' and urged users to subscribe to the paid service 'YouTube Premium,' which removes ads through legitimate means. In addition, they often set up countermeasures against ad blockers, and periodically, ad blocker users are unable to block ads, but the developers of ad blockers are also actively updating the app to avoid the countermeasures, and the game of cat and mouse continues.

YouTube tightens restrictions on 'ad blockers' and bans third-party apps - GIGAZINE

In January 2025, reports emerged of a 57 minute 57 second ad that could not be skipped.

Some users were shown ads that lasted for as long as 2 hours and 52 minutes.

Because these ads are being shown to users of ad blockers, some have suggested that YouTube may be detecting the use of ad blockers and showing incredibly long, unskippable ads, or that the ad blocker itself is blocking the display of the 'Skip' button.

In response to this, YouTube denied that it 'serves unskippable ads that last for minutes or hours,' and pointed out that unskippable ads are usually limited to 15 seconds in length.

'Non-skippable ads are mostly limited to 15 seconds or less, with YouTube TV offering 30- and 60-second variations. In contrast, skippable ads have no length limit,' YouTube communications manager Oluwa Falodun said, adding that for ad blocker users, 'viewers using ad blockers may not have an optimal viewing experience.'