DuckDuckGo's web browser will now automatically block YouTube ads

Annoyed by YouTube ads? There are a few ways to avoid them now, such as YouTube's own official option with a paid YouTube Premium subscription.

However, the privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo is now providing a new, free way to block YouTube ads.

This week, DuckDuckGo announced that its free web browser will now block most video ads, including ads shown on YouTube. 

The YouTube Ad Blocking feature is turned on by default on Mac, Windows, and iOS versions of the web browser. There's nothing that users on those devices have to do, as the feature is on by default.

YouTube Ad Blocking is also available on the Android version of the DuckDuckGo web browser. However, it needs to be turned on by going to the browser’s Settings and then toggling Ad Blocking on. DuckDuckGo says the option to have ad blocking activated by default is coming soon to Android as well.

DuckDuckGo launched in 2008 with a privacy-focused search engine alternative to Google. Since then, the company has rolled out other privacy-focused alternatives to Google products, such as its desktop and mobile web browsers. 

The company has also benefited from Google's missteps. Earlier this year, for example, DuckDuckGo reported a spike in growth after Google announced new unavoidable AI features. While DuckDuckGo does have its own set of AI tools, they are completely optional, and the company makes sure to promote that. DuckDuckGo has a completely AI-free search product called DuckDuckGo No-AI.

Now, DuckDuckGo is taking on Google's sister site, YouTube, with its default ad blocker built right into its privacy-focused web browser.