Thread

1. semiquaver · 1789988297 · focus · HN ↗

   Did anyone actually read the linked wiki in full? It’s basically saying “if there are embedded ads in certain live (likely sports) content we carry you may see them even on an ad-free plan because we don’t have an alternative. Also we might try to promote different tiers of Disney+ itself within the app so to the extent you see that as an ad, that’s an exception to ‘ad-free’”

   I’m all for consumer awareness but I’m begging everyone to stop freaking out over prosaic non-issues like this.

   1. DonsDiscountGas · 1789992621 · focus · HN ↗

      > Also we might try to promote different tiers of Disney+ itself within the app so to the extent you see that as an ad, that’s an exception to ‘ad-free’”

      Yes I see that as an ad. Do you not? Does anyone not? And if I'm on the highest paying ad free plan, what are they promoting to me?

      1. Gareth321 · 1789993627 · focus · HN ↗

         I strongly agree, and it frustrates me when people and companies claim that advertising their own products "doesn't count." I cancelled my YouTube Premium plan because of ads. These are all the ads they permit on Premium, despite advertising everywhere that Premium removes all ads:

         * Ads in YouTube feeds for other google products and services.

         * Ads underneath videos for products from the channel owner.

         * Sponsorships within videos from the channel owner.

         * Advertising overlays (supported IN THE APP BY GOOGLE) for products and services from the channel owner.

         * Email advertisements for Google products and services.

         * Community post advertisements from channel owners which show up in the YouTube feed.

         I contacted support to enquire and they state these are not considered advertising.

         1. hdgvhicv · 1789997128 · focus · HN ↗

            I don’t mind the in video sponsors. Some are good (ok map men ones are good), but crucially it’s not really something YouTube could directly block. They could put terms and conditions in place, but you’re driving product placement and it becomes a slippery slope.

            Howver recently I’ve noticed adverts for “membership” for channels, and that is getting me close to picking my youtube habit. Same with Spotify and advertising concerts, but that seems to have gone away for me after I complained.

            Sadly even the bbc does adverts on iPlayer. You used to be able to instantly skip them, but then in a big (internal) fanfare some idiot decided they could make them not skippable and increase some metrics and then get a promotion.

            1. kmeisthax · 1789998047 · focus · HN ↗

               YouTube actually does block sponsor spots in videos if you have Premium. They call it "Skip Ahead" and don't really talk about sponsor spots, but practically speaking it's 9/10 just the "skip sponsor segment" button.

               I remember about 10-15 years ago YouTube actually did try to ban sponsor spots in videos, but the backlash from creators was strong enough that they walked that back to "ok well we'll allow sponsor spots but you can't just insert the sponsor's own ad, it's gotta be your ad read and B-roll".

               1. Grombobulous · 1790001639 · focus · HN ↗

                  It’s such a great feature, and I see why YouTube gates it to Premium.

                  Once you’ve transitioned from an ad-watching customer to a paid one, YouTube actually turns into something that treats your product experience and satisfaction as important.

                  It’s fascinating how it switches that off for non-paying users. Not a lot of companies’ services do that so obviously and blatantly.

                  In other words, when YouTube is being watched for free, they have that typical engagement incentive: keep you watching as long as possible, watch as many ads as possible, etc.

                  When you’re paying? Who cares, skip the content if you want. Use Gemini to summarize it, we don’t care if you watch the video.

                  1. godshatter · 1790002872 · focus · HN ↗

                     Try watching YouTube without logging in through a VPN with an ad blocker. You get 5s black screens and "Experiencing Interruptions?" popups.

                     If they don't want people watching videos without logging in, they should gate them behind a login screen rather than fucking with their users.

                     1. Xirdus · 1790004446 · focus · HN ↗

                        I was getting that when logged in, without VPN (but still ad blocking.)

                        1. godshatter · 1790006970 · focus · HN ↗

                           I wasn't sure which of the parameters was causing it. Looks like ad blocking is the one, then.
                        2. Grombobulous · 1790046474 · focus · HN ↗

                           That’s because you’re not a YouTube customer. You want to consume their product without paying and without viewing any ads.

                           They are very logically making that difficult for you. They are exercising their right to refuse service to you.

                           1. fragmede · 1790046833 · focus · HN ↗

                              Aka a leech. Even torrent sites look down on that behavior.

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