The only way YouTube itself offers to stop ads is a paid YouTube Premium membership, which removes ads before and during videos. For free, you can block a specific ad you're tired of, or change how ads are personalised, but you'll still see ads.
Ad blockers are the option most people reach for, and YouTube is clear about them: using one breaks its Terms of Service, and it may block your video playback if you carry on.
Below is what each option does, what Premium still doesn't remove, and how to switch an ad blocker off for YouTube if you're seeing the warning. The facts come from YouTube Help, read in October 2026.
Your options at a glance
| Option | What it does | What YouTube says |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube Premium | Removes ads before and during videos, plus third-party banner and search ads | Its paid route to an ad-free YouTube |
| Block ad | Stops one specific ad showing to you | Only available if you customise ads in My Ad Center |
| Ad personalisation settings | Changes which ads you see, not how many | Controlled through your Google Account ad settings |
| Report ad | Flags an ad that breaks Google's ad policies | Available on YouTube mobile and on a computer |
| Ad blocker extension | Hides ads in your browser | Violates the Terms of Service and may lead to blocked playback |
How to stop ads on YouTube with Premium
YouTube Help describes Premium as a paid membership that lets you watch millions of videos without interruptions by ads before and during a video. You also won't see third-party banner ads or search ads.
It works across devices. YouTube lists compatible smart TVs and games consoles, and the YouTube, YouTube Music and YouTube Kids mobile apps, where they're available in your location. YouTube Help adds background play on its mobile apps, so videos keep playing with the screen off, and downloads for offline viewing.
Two practical points. First, Premium is only sold in the countries YouTube lists on its availability page, so check yours. Second, if you want to know what it costs or compare plans, my guide to how much YouTube Premium is covers the plans, and my guide to YouTube Premium Lite explains the cheaper tier and what it leaves out.
What Premium still doesn't remove
This is the bit people don't expect. YouTube Help says that even with Premium you may still see:
- Branding or promotions built into the video by the creator, such as a product mention the creator reads out.
- Promotional links, shelves and features the creator adds around the video, for their website, merchandise, channel membership or event tickets.
- Ads or promotions on Primetime Channels.
- Ads or promotions during live events streamed on YouTube, such as sporting events.
So Premium stops YouTube's own ad breaks. It doesn't stop a creator talking about a product in their own video.
How to block a single ad on YouTube for free
If one ad keeps following you around, you can stop seeing it without paying anything. YouTube Help gives the route:
- When the ad appears, select More or Info on the ad.
- Select Block ad.
- If you don't see Block ad, turn on ad customisation in My Ad Center first, because the option is only available when you've chosen to customise the ads you see.
If the ad is offensive or breaks Google's ad policies, select Report ad instead. YouTube says reporting is only available on YouTube mobile and on a computer, and its team reviews each report.
Changing which ads you see
YouTube explains that the ads you see can be personalised or non-personalised. When you're signed in, signals such as the types of videos you've watched, the websites you visit, your location and your age range can decide which ads appear.
You can manage this in your Google Account ad settings, and you can view, delete or pause your YouTube watch history. Be clear about what that achieves, though. It changes which ads you get. It doesn't reduce the number of ads.
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Seeing an ad blocker warning? Here's why
YouTube's help page is blunt. It says that when you block YouTube ads, you violate YouTube's Terms of Service. If you use ad blockers, it will ask you to allow ads or sign up for Premium, and if you continue, it may block your video playback.
To allow ads again, YouTube gives steps for the common extensions:
- AdBlock: click the AdBlock icon, click Don't run on pages on this site, click Exclude, then reload YouTube.
- Adblock Plus: click the Adblock Plus icon, click Power so it slides left, then refresh.
- uBlock Origin: click the uBlock Origin icon, click Power so it turns grey, then refresh.
- Other blockers: click the extension's icon, turn it off for YouTube, and reload. You may have more than one installed.
If you see the warning and you don't use an ad blocker, YouTube says to click Report issue in the bottom left corner of the message.
Is YouTube free without stopping the ads?
Yes. Watching with ads is the free version, and that's the trade YouTube makes with viewers. YouTube says ads help support the creators you watch. If you're weighing up whether you need to pay at all, my guide to whether YouTube is free sets out what you get on each side.
My verdict
If ads spoil YouTube for you, pay for Premium. It's the only option YouTube backs, it works on your TV and phone as well as your laptop, and it won't get your playback blocked. If you're not ready to pay, use Block ad on the repeat offenders and accept the rest as the cost of a free service. I wouldn't build a daily habit around an ad blocker on YouTube now: YouTube has said in writing what happens if you do.
Frequently asked questions
Can you stop ads on YouTube for free?
Not completely. YouTube's own ad-free option is the paid Premium membership. For free, you can block a specific ad through More or Info, then Block ad, if you customise ads in My Ad Center.
Does YouTube Premium remove all ads?
It removes ads before and during videos and third-party banner and search ads. YouTube says you may still see promotions built into videos by creators, and ads on Primetime Channels or during live events.
Is using an ad blocker on YouTube allowed?
No. YouTube Help says blocking YouTube ads violates its Terms of Service, and if you keep using an ad blocker it may block your video playback.
Why does YouTube say I'm using an ad blocker when I'm not?
Check for extensions you've forgotten, as you may have more than one. If none are running, YouTube says to click Report issue in the bottom left corner of the message.
