YouTube Music Ads Getting Through? Exploring Ad Blocking Options

I recently came across a discussion about a user struggling with ads on YouTube Music, even with an ad blocker enabled. This got me thinking about the unique challenges of blocking ads within streaming music apps and the various approaches one can take. It seems like the user was employing uBlock Origin Lite, which generally performs well, but was failing to block ads specifically within the YouTube Music app. This is not uncommon, and I wanted to share some insights and alternative solutions for a smoother, ad-free listening experience.

Let's delve into why this might be happening and what you can do about it.

The Challenge of Blocking YouTube Music Ads

YouTube Music presents a particularly tricky target for ad blockers due to the way ads are integrated into the platform. Here’s a breakdown of the common hurdles:

1. Server-Side Ad Insertion

YouTube, like many other streaming services, increasingly uses server-side ad insertion (SSAI). This means that the ads are stitched directly into the content stream on YouTube's servers before it reaches your device. Traditional ad blockers, which rely on blocking ad requests at the client level (your browser or app), are often ineffective against SSAI because the ad appears to be part of the main content.

2. Dynamic Ad Serving

YouTube employs sophisticated algorithms to dynamically serve ads based on various factors, including your location, demographics, and browsing history. This makes it difficult for ad blockers to predict and block ad requests consistently. The ad serving patterns can change rapidly, requiring ad blocker developers to constantly update their filters and rules.

3. App-Specific Challenges

Blocking ads within the YouTube Music app is generally more challenging than blocking them in a web browser. Apps often have tighter security measures and can employ techniques to obfuscate ad requests, making them harder to identify and block. Additionally, some ad blocking methods that work in browsers, such as extension-based blockers, are not directly applicable to native mobile apps.

Potential Solutions and Workarounds

Given these challenges, what are the options for blocking ads on YouTube Music? Here are several strategies to consider:

1. Browser-Based Ad Blocking (for Web Users)

If you primarily listen to YouTube Music in a web browser, you have more flexibility in terms of ad blocking. Consider these browser-based solutions:

uBlock Origin (Full Version)

While the user in the discussion mentioned using uBlock Origin Lite, the full version of uBlock Origin offers more advanced filtering capabilities and a larger library of filter lists. It's worth trying the full version to see if it can effectively block YouTube Music ads in your browser. Make sure to update the filter lists regularly for the best performance.

AdGuard Browser Extension

AdGuard is another popular ad blocker that offers a browser extension with comprehensive ad blocking features. It can block various types of ads, including those served through SSAI. AdGuard also provides customizable filter lists and settings to fine-tune your ad blocking experience.

Brave Browser

Brave Browser has built-in ad blocking and privacy features. It automatically blocks ads and trackers, providing a cleaner and faster browsing experience. Brave's built-in ad blocker is generally effective against many types of ads, including those on YouTube Music.

2. DNS-Based Ad Blocking

DNS-based ad blocking works at the network level, filtering out ad requests before they even reach your device. This approach can be effective for blocking ads in both web browsers and mobile apps. Here are some popular DNS-based ad blocking services:

NextDNS ⭐ Top Pick

Pros:

• Highly customizable blocklists
• Detailed analytics and logs
• Multiple device support
• Free tier available
• Excellent performance

Cons:

• Free tier has query limits
• Setup slightly more complex

Price: Free (300K queries/month) or $20/year unlimited

My Take: NextDNS is my go-to recommendation. It offers the perfect balance of power and usability. You can customize exactly what gets blocked, view detailed logs, and it just works. It's worth configuring custom blocklists to specifically target YouTube and Google domains known for serving ads.

AdGuard DNS

Pros:

• Very easy setup
• Good default blocklists
• Fast servers worldwide
• Family protection option

Cons:

• Less customizable than NextDNS
• Basic analytics

Price: Free

My Take: If you want something that "just works" without any configuration, AdGuard DNS is excellent. Set it up and forget about it. While it might not be as aggressive as NextDNS with custom lists, it's a solid baseline for ad protection.

Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 for Families

Pros:

• Extremely fast
• Privacy-focused
• Great app interface
• Easy to set up

Cons:

• Doesn't block as many ads as dedicated ad blockers
• Limited customization

Price: Free

My Take: Cloudflare is fantastic for speed and privacy. Use their "1.1.1.1 for Families" version, but be aware that ad blocking is a secondary feature. Consider it a supplement, not a primary ad-blocking solution.

To set up DNS-based ad blocking on your mobile device:

For iOS:

1. Download the configuration profile from your chosen provider.
2. Install it in Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.
3. Done!

For Android (Android 9+):

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Private DNS.
2. Enter the hostname from your chosen provider.
3. Done!

3. VPN-Based Ad Blocking

VPN-based ad blocking routes your internet traffic through a VPN server that filters out ad requests. This approach can block ads in both web browsers and mobile apps. However, it can also impact your internet speed and battery life.

AdGuard Pro

AdGuard Pro is a VPN-based ad blocker that works on both iOS and Android. It blocks ads system-wide, including those in the YouTube Music app. AdGuard Pro also offers customizable filter lists and settings.

4. Local VPN Apps (Android)

Local VPN apps create a VPN connection on your device, but unlike traditional VPNs, they don't route your traffic through an external server. Instead, they filter traffic locally, blocking ad requests and trackers. This approach offers system-wide ad blocking with minimal performance impact.

Blokada ⭐

Pros:

• Open source
• No external VPN
• Highly customizable
• Free

Cons:

• Requires some technical knowledge to configure
• Can occasionally interfere with legitimate apps

My Take: Blokada is a powerful and free option for Android users. It offers a high degree of customization and can effectively block ads in the YouTube Music app. However, it requires some technical expertise to configure properly.

AdLock

AdLock is another local VPN app for Android that blocks ads system-wide. It offers a user-friendly interface and a variety of features, including customizable filter lists and whitelisting options.

5. YouTube Premium

While not a traditional ad blocking solution, subscribing to YouTube Premium removes all ads from YouTube and YouTube Music. It also offers other benefits, such as background playback and offline downloads. If you heavily rely on YouTube Music, a Premium subscription might be worth considering.

6. Modded YouTube Music Apps (Use with Caution)

There are modded versions of the YouTube Music app available that have built-in ad blocking features. However, using these apps carries some risks, as they are not officially supported by Google and may contain malware or violate YouTube's terms of service. Proceed with caution if you choose to use a modded app.

7. Pi-hole (Advanced Users)

For technically inclined users, setting up a Pi-hole on your home network can be an effective way to block ads on all devices connected to your network, including your mobile devices. Pi-hole is a network-wide ad blocker that works by intercepting DNS requests for ad servers and blocking them. This approach requires some technical expertise to set up and maintain.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you're still seeing ads on YouTube Music after implementing an ad blocking solution, here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Update your ad blocker: Make sure you're using the latest version of your ad blocker and that your filter lists are up to date.
• Clear your cache and cookies: Clearing your browser's or app's cache and cookies can sometimes resolve ad blocking issues.
• Disable other extensions/apps: Conflicting extensions or apps can interfere with ad blocking. Try disabling other extensions or apps one by one to see if that resolves the issue.
• Check your filter lists: Review your ad blocker's filter lists to ensure that they are not blocking legitimate content. You may need to whitelist certain domains or URLs to prevent false positives.
• Try a different ad blocker: If one ad blocker isn't working, try a different one. Different ad blockers use different techniques and filter lists, so one might be more effective than another.
• Contact support: If you're still having trouble, contact the support team for your ad blocker or DNS service. They may be able to provide more specific troubleshooting steps.

My Recommendations by Use Case

Based on my experience and the information I've gathered, here are my recommendations for different use cases:

"I just want ads gone with minimum effort"

→ AdGuard DNS - Set it up once and forget about it

"I want control over what's blocked"

→ NextDNS - Customize everything to your liking

"I'm on a tight data plan"

→ DNS blocking (any) - Saves 30-50% data on ad-heavy sites

"I care about privacy above all"

→ NextDNS + Quad9 - Block ads and malware, encrypted DNS

"I need to block YouTube ads (including YouTube Music)"

→ Browser-based solutions (uBlock Origin, AdGuard extension, Brave Browser) - DNS can't block YouTube ads effectively, but browser extensions provide more granular control.

"I want a VPN too"

→ Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 with WARP - Fast VPN with basic protection, though primarily for speed and security, not aggressive ad blocking.

What About Paid vs. Free?

As with most ad blocking solutions, there are both free and paid options available. Here's when to consider paying:

Free is fine if you:

• Just want ads blocked
• Don't need detailed analytics
• Use fewer than 300K queries/month (NextDNS)

Consider paying if you:

• Want detailed logs and analytics
• Have many devices to manage
• Need priority support
• Want to support the developers

The Importance of Staying Informed

The cat-and-mouse game between ad blockers and ad providers is constantly evolving. What works today might not work tomorrow. It's essential to stay informed about the latest ad blocking techniques and to be prepared to adapt your strategy as needed. Following tech blogs, forums, and communities dedicated to ad blocking can help you stay ahead of the curve.

Ultimately, the best ad blocking solution for YouTube Music depends on your individual needs and preferences. Experiment with different approaches and find what works best for you. Don't be afraid to combine multiple techniques for maximum effectiveness.

Ready to get started? Check out my setup guides for step-by-step instructions on configuring DNS-based ad blocking on your devices.