Performance Issues with AdBlock on YouTube
Many AdBlock users have encountered frustrating performance issues while browsing YouTube. Reports have surfaced of slow load times and a noticeable uptick in CPU usage, which has been a cause for concern among the extension’s users. These issues were not only highlighted by user complaints on the YouTube subreddit but were also confirmed through personal testing. It was found that enabling AdBlock while using YouTube could lead to as much as a 17% increase in CPU usage, a significant jump that could affect the overall performance of a user’s computer.
User Experiences and Troubleshooting
Users of the AdBlock extension on YouTube have shared a variety of experiences, many of which involve significant performance degradation. Common symptoms reported include slow performance and high CPU usage, which have led to a slew of troubleshooting attempts by the affected individuals. Some users initially believed that the issues were related to their own hardware or storage space, leading to unnecessary deletion of files and concern over potential hardware failures.
One user expressed their frustration, noting that their laptop was “running like a jet” for several days, clueless about the actual cause. Another user echoed this sentiment, mistakenly attributing the sluggishness to a storage space problem. These anecdotes highlight the confusion and mistaken assumptions made by users in the face of unexplained performance dips, which are often interpreted as signs of hardware issues.
The list of user-reported symptoms includes:
- Slow video buffering and load times on YouTube
- Increased CPU usage, affecting overall computer performance
- Heat problems, particularly on lower-end laptops
- Misguided troubleshooting steps, such as deleting files
The situation has led to a sense of “troubleshooting paranoia,” where users are left second-guessing the health and efficiency of their devices. The widespread nature of these issues underscores the impact that software extensions can have on user experience, particularly when they malfunction or interact poorly with popular platforms like YouTube.
Conflict with YouTube Premium Subscribers
Adding to the complexity of the situation, subscribers to YouTube Premium—a service designed to provide an ad-free viewing experience—have also reported issues when using AdBlock on other websites. This has led to a heightened level of frustration, as the very purpose of their subscription is to avoid ads, and yet they find themselves caught in the crossfire of performance issues. The expectation of seamless video playback and browsing is contradicted by the reality of slow load times and increased CPU usage, even for those who have paid to circumvent advertisements on YouTube.
Suspicion Towards YouTube
Given YouTube’s history with ad blockers, it’s not surprising that the platform has come under suspicion for the recent performance issues experienced by AdBlock users. In the past, YouTube has implemented measures that seemed to specifically target ad-blocking software, such as introducing a five-second loading delay on videos for users running ad blockers. These actions have contributed to a narrative that YouTube is actively waging a war against ad blockers, leading to a quick assumption of guilt whenever new issues arise.
However, despite the past incidents and the company’s clear stance on ad-blocking, the current performance problems may not be directly attributable to YouTube’s efforts to enforce its terms of service. The platform’s communications manager has explicitly stated that the loading delays experienced by AdBlock and AdBlock Plus users are not a result of YouTube’s ad blocker detection methods. This statement, while it may be met with skepticism by some, points to other potential causes for the slowdowns that have affected so many users.
The suspicion towards YouTube is a reflection of the tension between user preferences for ad-free browsing and the platform’s need to monetize content through advertising. This ongoing conflict has made YouTube a prime suspect in the eyes of users whenever ad-blocking related issues occur, even if the actual cause lies elsewhere.
AdBlock Update Issues
Compelling evidence has emerged suggesting that the performance issues plaguing YouTube users may be due to recent updates to the AdBlock and AdBlock Plus extensions. Issue trackers on GitHub for both extensions have been flooded with reports of problems following their latest updates, versions 5.17 and 3.22 respectively. These updates appear to have inadvertently introduced performance regressions affecting not only YouTube but other websites as well.
Raymond Hill, known for his work on uBlock Origin, took to Twitter to shed light on the situation. He pointed out that the performance issues were specific to the latest versions of AdBlock Plus and AdBlock, and that uBlock Origin was not affected by these issues.
There is a lot of chatter in the last days about how Youtube is slow with content blockers. Those performance issues affect only the latest version of both Adblock Plus (3.22) & AdBlock (5.17), and afflict more than just Youtube. uBO is *not* affected.
— Raymond Hill @gorhill.twitter.com (@gorhill) March 24, 2023
The table below lists the affected versions of AdBlock and the corresponding performance issues:
| AdBlock Version | Performance Issue |
|---|---|
| AdBlock 5.17 | Slow video buffering, high CPU usage |
| AdBlock Plus 3.22 | Slow video buffering, high CPU usage |
These findings suggest that the blame for the slowdowns may lie with the updates to the ad-blocking extensions rather than YouTube itself. The issue has been particularly problematic for users who have both AdBlock Plus and AdBlock installed, as the combined effect of the performance regressions from both extensions has resulted in an even greater impact on their browsing experience.
Clarification on uBlock Origin
Amidst the discussions about AdBlock’s performance issues, it’s important to clarify the status of uBlock Origin, an ad blocker that remains independent and distinct from the AdBlock family. Raymond Hill, the developer behind uBlock Origin, has been actively involved in the ad-blocking community and has provided insights into the recent issues affecting users.
Despite uBlock being acquired by AdBlock in 2018, uBlock Origin continues to operate separately, maintaining its reputation for efficiency and reliability. Hill’s contributions to the ad-blocking space are notable, especially considering that uBlock Origin is a free, open-source project that does not accept donations. Instead, Hill encourages users to support the maintainers of the various block lists, which are crucial to the functionality of ad blockers.
Hill’s stance and the performance of uBlock Origin in light of the recent issues highlight the importance of community-driven projects in the tech ecosystem. The distinction between uBlock Origin and other ad blockers is significant, as it underscores the diversity of options available to users seeking to enhance their browsing experience without compromising on performance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the evidence points towards AdBlock as the culprit for the recent performance issues experienced by users on YouTube. The problems, which include slow load times and increased CPU usage, were initially attributed to YouTube’s anti-ad blocker measures due to the platform’s history of implementing such tactics. However, updates to AdBlock and AdBlock Plus have been identified as the likely cause of these issues, as indicated by issue trackers and community feedback.
YouTube, despite being a common target for blame due to its popularity and past aggressive measures against ad blockers, appears to be relatively innocent in this instance. The situation serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between user experience, software extensions, and online platforms. It also highlights the importance of keeping software up to date and being aware of how updates can affect performance. For users seeking reliable ad-blocking solutions, it may be worthwhile to explore options like uBlock Origin, which has remained unaffected by the recent performance regressions.
