YouTube claims that it "does not hide the skip button" in ads.
However, the company is "reducing elements in the ad player."
Recently, some YouTube users have noticed that the platform has made it more complicated to skip ads. In a comment posted on Reddit, a user mentioned that black rectangles appeared over the skip button on the desktop version, instead of the countdown timer that was expected. It was later reported that the countdown timer to skip ads was not displayed on mobile devices.
However, YouTube has stated that it is not removing the skip button but is modifying certain aspects of ad viewing. According to statements from a YouTube spokesperson, Oluwa Falodun, the skip button appears after five seconds of playback, as it always has.
Regarding the modifications, it was mentioned that YouTube is "reducing elements in the ad player" so that "viewers can engage more deeply with the ad through a cleaner experience." On both desktop and mobile devices, users might see the countdown timer to skip an ad displayed as a progress bar at the bottom of the screen. The difference seems to be that the skip button has not disappeared, but it may not be shown in the same way as before.
While it's a relief that the company is not hiding the skip button, YouTube is actively expanding the way ads are presented. For example, ads can now be seen on the pause screen, and last year, the company removed some ad controls for creators. Additionally, YouTube has intensified its fight against the use of ad blockers to evade advertising. The simplest option to avoid ads is to subscribe to YouTube Premium, although the cost of this service has been gradually increasing.