One month after YouTube Premium's price increase, DuckDuckGo added a 'YouTube ad blocking feature' and promoted the idea that 'ad blocking is possible with free browsers.'
DuckDuckGo, a free browser provider, has officially added a 'YouTube ad blocking feature,' announcing that it can now 'block most video ads.' DuckDuckGo appeals to users by saying, 'Are you tired of ads interrupting your videos? We are too.'
Watch YouTube Without Ads on the DuckDuckGo Browser
According to an official blog post published on July 8, 2026, DuckDuckGo's browser now includes a YouTube ad-blocking feature, which is enabled by default for most iPhone, Windows, and Mac users. It is also expected to be enabled by default for Android users soon.
The YouTube ad blocker feature blocks YouTube video ads, allowing users to watch videos without interruption. DuckDuckGo explained, 'You can enjoy the same YouTube experience as usual, but without the ads. Therefore, YouTube features such as saving your viewing history and remembering your playback position in playlists remain available.'
To detect and block YouTube ads, DuckDuckGo uses filter lists provided by uBlock Origin. DuckDuckGo may also add its own rules to improve compatibility and reduce glitches.
This feature is said to 'block most video ads, including those on YouTube,' and it appears to work on other sites as well.
On all devices, you can disable or re-enable YouTube ad blocking at any time via your browser's 'Settings' → 'Ad Blocking.' You can also toggle it on and off while watching a video.
On mobile devices, links to YouTube videos may open in the YouTube app, so you may need to change this setting.
Additionally, the Duck Player, a video player built into the DuckDuckGo browser, can be used simultaneously with the YouTube ad-blocking feature. Duck Player allows you to watch YouTube videos in a theater mode without unnecessary elements, protecting users from tracking cookies and personalized ads, and preventing YouTube from recommending content viewed with Duck Player.
DuckDuckGo stated, 'The YouTube ad blocking feature is now available in the DuckDuckGo browser. It's still a new feature, so please try it out and let us know how you feel about it and what you think. You can submit anonymous feedback anytime from the browser's '☰' menu.'
Furthermore, YouTube Premium, the official subscription service that allows users to watch YouTube without ads, just raised its prices in June 2026.
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in Software, Web Service, Posted by log1p_kr