Ad blockers are among the most favorite browser add-ons for users who want to have an ad-free experience on the Internet for many years. Ad blockers, especially used to block ads on YouTube, open the doors of an ad-free world to users.
This world seems helpless in the face of Twitch’s new advertising strategy. Twitch, which now frequently shows ads in live broadcasts, seems to have somehow bypassed ad blockers.
Before we move on to Twitch’s tactic, let’s take a look at how ad blockers work.
Such applications do not directly block advertising. Instead, it blocks the content download request (showing ads) sent to your browser by the site. In this way, since the content does not download to your browser, you will also bypass the advertisement. With this protection method, annoying ads are blocked before they come to your browser in the background.
The significant change in Twitch’s ads rendered ad blockers dysfunctional.
We more or less understood how ad blockers work. The change made by Twitch is to show the ad as a part of the live broadcast.
Twitch sends the ad to the server as a live stream video, not as additional content. This way, ad blockers can’t decide whether it’s a live stream or an ad. Due to instability, the app cannot automatically block this ad.
So why don’t ad blockers work on some sites?
There can be many reasons for this problem, but the most common reason is that the site has been added to the ‘white list’. When you use an ad blocker, some sites are whitelisted so you will still see ads on those sites. You can solve this problem by updating the white list in the settings of the ad blocker you are using.
Another reason could be viruses. A malicious software that reaches your computer may display advertisements. That’s why it’s a good idea to check your computer. Detailed explanation of the subject is included in the following content:
Why does YouTube allow ad blockers?
YouTube is the world’s largest video streaming platform. Thanks to this market share, Google is able to ignore the few who use ad blockers on YouTube. In addition, users who get YouTube Premium service at a very cheap price have the automatic ad blocking feature in it and do not use 3rd party ad blocking software. In short; YouTube doesn’t want to get into a fight that’s not worth fighting and gives users that freedom.
The developments in the software world have always caused innovation on the other side. It is a matter of curiosity how ad blockers will change for Twitch’s new advertising technique.
Resources: AdBlock , Google Support