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YouTube looks to be testing server-side ad injection to counter ad blockers (9to5google.com)

submitted 5 months ago by AnActOfCreation@programming.dev to c/technology@lemmy.world

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YouTube is testing server-side ad injection to counter ad blockers, integrating ads directly into videos to make them indistinguishable from the main content.
This new method complicates ad blocking, including tools like SponsorBlock, which now face challenges in accurately identifying and skipping sponsored segments.
The feature is currently in testing and not widely rolled out, with YouTube encouraging users to subscribe to YouTube Premium for an ad-free experience.

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[–] Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works 16 points 5 months ago (2 children)

It's quite likely that the cost actually outweighs the gains. Adblocking really isn't all that prevalent across Internet users as a whole. I think the stats are something like 10% or lower.

[–] buddascrayon@lemmy.world 11 points 5 months ago (1 children)

And yet Google is investing all this time and money into trying to block the blockers. It's really quite stupid.

[–] Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works 6 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Well, most of their efforts have been relatively low cost on their end. Stuff like manifest v3 isn't actually particularly expensive to do. Just requires you to have near total capture of the web browser market.

[–] buddascrayon@lemmy.world 0 points 5 months ago

Stuff like manifest v3 isn't actually particularly expensive to do.

Oh yes, a complete overhaul of the way their browser engine works is absolute child's play and doesn't cost a thing. 🙄😒

[–] storcholus@feddit.de 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

But it's always been their server. It's not like Geico provided that video snippet

[–] Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works 6 points 5 months ago

Yes, but server-side injection, if I understand it correctly, means you have to actually remux the videos into a single stream. That's additional processing load, which is basically their main cost of business.