YouTube Tests Hidden Skip Button: What It Means for Users

YouTube advertisements may often be a source of frustration for viewers, but the option to skip most ads after a few seconds has provided some relief. However, it seems the Google-owned platform is now making it more difficult for users to bypass ads, which are a significant contributor to the company’s revenue stream.

Recently, a number of Reddit users reported seeing a black or grey box covering the “Skip” button during advertisements on the desktop version of YouTube. This box, coupled with the disappearance of the countdown timer, left users confused about whether the ad was skippable. According to a report by AndroidAuthority, the issue is not limited to desktop users, as the mobile app is reportedly experiencing a similar situation, with the skip button appearing hidden during ads. Many users have speculated that this might be a deliberate attempt by YouTube to create the illusion that certain ads cannot be skipped.

However, YouTube spokesperson Oluwa Falodun , in a statement to The Verge, explained that “for skippable ads, the skip button continues to appear after five seconds of playback.” The spokesperson further elaborated that YouTube is simplifying the ad player’s interface by “reducing elements on the ads player” to provide users with a more streamlined experience. Instead of the traditional countdown timer, users will now see a progress bar while an ad plays.

While YouTube denies any intentional hiding of the skip button, the company is making other notable changes, such as cracking down on ad blockers and introducing ads to the video pause screen , which has made the platform less enjoyable for free-tier users. These changes, currently affecting a small group of users, appear to be part of a broader experiment and may become more widespread in the near future.