YouTube and Google seem intent on controlling how you use the platform, starting with targeting users of YouTube with ad blockers and now allegedly slowing down YouTube in non-Chrome browsers like Firefox and Edge.
First, YouTube users were met with a pop-up warning them not to use ad blockers, though you can turn it off if you prefer. However, the pop-up won't close until YouTube detects that the user has disabled their ad blocker. Some users have reported experiencing slowdowns in non-Chrome browsers like Firefox and Edge, with videos taking up to five seconds to load.
Google has remained tight-lipped regarding the situation, but it's no secret that YouTube may favor Google Chrome when it comes to performance and features. The most straightforward way to address this issue is by using a process known as user agent switching, converting Firefox to Chrome when needed. One method is to use the add-on User Agent Switcher and Manager, which allows you to browse sites like YouTube as if you were using Google Chrome, although it may raise privacy concerns.
For a safer alternative, you can also change your user agent manually, converting Firefox to Chrome's User-Agent string. This process is simple and effective, but it may affect some Firefox features. If you prefer not to change your user agent, you can try a uBlock Origin workaround that involves pasting a specific code into the extension's settings.
Even if these methods fail to resolve the issue, you can also consider updating your ad-blocking extensions, disabling or removing them temporarily, or using a different ad-blocker. Clearing your browser cache and data can also help alleviate the slowdown caused by YouTube's artificial timeout. Finally, ensure that your internet connection is stable and check for compatibility issues by disabling hardware acceleration (if applicable).
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