Google denies YouTube slowdowns are linked to its ad blocker detection efforts

Google has been in the middle of another controversy this week, as Reddit exploded with reports claiming that YouTube started slowing down the video buffer with ad blocking enabled.

We assumed that Google has decided to step up its efforts to prevent YouTube users from using ad blockers, which seriously affects the platform's monetization model.

YouTube has repeatedly said in the past that ad blockers not only go against its terms of service, but also hurt content creators' revenue. Given YouTube's stance on the issue, many have assumed that recent video slowdowns are related to the use of ad blockers.

However, Google recently denied these reports without really giving reasons for these video slowdowns, probably because YouTube is not the culprit in this matter.