Am I bad because I pay for YouTube? I watch it so so much on different devices and also use YouTube music instead of Spotify. The paid teir hasn't undergone enshittification yet (it always does). Thats when ill stop.
this post was submitted on 10 Mar 2026
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I'm long past the point of even considering paying Google a dime for other people's content.
I'm getting sick of titles like these "... this changes everything...", "scientists are mystified", "...nobody knew...", or some ridicoulus question as title. Majority of creators are hinting lately that yt "suggests" how to title and organize the topic for maximum visibility and monetization. In effect mandating their enshittification features.
Nvm, the moment NewPipe stops being able to play a video in a normay way is the end of yt for me. Just like I left reddit for lemmy.
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Yeah you're literally part of the problem lol
You're actively funding enshittification, at least the rest of us are innocent
Nah, nothing wrong with that. The problem isn't users, it's what the company expects from users.
Nothing wrong with that. I pay for YouTube premium. Tbh I got fed up with all the hoops on mobile so I just started paying for it and honestly, its been a good fit for me.
I watch a ton of YouTube content so paying for it to support creators and not having ads is fine with me.
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You’re not bad, google is bad.
I’d suggest already exploring alternatives now. There’s front ends, alternate links, … all with pro’s and cons.
I will say though, once you stop using an account and cut out the feed/algo out of your diet it becomes apparent very quick how much of a grip they hold on our attention just by the layout and such. Now I just check 2 channels every few days and even that’s losing my interest.
I sure like it. "Free" YouTube is like using a browser without an blocker now - I forget how bad it is and I can't believe people live like that.
Being able to cancel Spotify was a nice bonus too.
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I clearly need to up my adblock game. But do y'all also use PeerTube, Nebula, Curiosity Stream? Happy to vote with dollars if there's a good candidate.
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What's the best way to avoid the ads if you can't just block them with your router anymore?
The simple answer is to not use YT, coming from someone that uses YT. Also, if there isn't already, there will be something developed that will do the trick. It's a game of cat and mouse. If they can feed them, then there will be a way to detect them and block them. At least that's my expectation anyway.
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I'm using Unhook and uO for browsers, and Freetube on PC or Newpipe on the phone.
I'm also tweaking an Android box to be able to use only Newpipe.
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Good thing YouTube itself is skippable.
Fuck Reddit and Fuck Spez.
Unpopular opinion but youtube + music is good value.
But my journey here was unique.
I grew up during the era when ipods / mp3 players incentivized having personal libraries of music files. After itunes became hostile towards that I switched to Google Music which allowed you to upload music files and stream them to your devices. It was great because I had some obscure remixes and indy band albums that I'd lost the CD for years ago.Ended up paying for Google Music after a 3 month trial.
Eventually Google Music became Youtube Music and with it came Youtube Premium. Tried Spotify but it didn't have some artists that I can't remember now anyways. So I just kept paying for youtube music and not seeing ads on youtube.
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Pure greed.
Nah.
For everyone saying they'll leave YT, Google knows there are nine that won't, so they'll keep pushing till they hit the wall where this becomes unprofitable for them.
Personally, if it ever gets to the point that I can't avoid ads on YouTube, I will stop watching, except for the occasional tutorial that I can't find an alternative for--so maybe, a couple of times a year.