How to Report YouTube Ads on Mobile and PC
Whether you’re seeking knowledge or entertainment, YouTube is the go-to platform for any topic, no matter how peculiar. However, access to this content comes at a price. If you don’t have a premium subscription, your feed will be inundated with ads.
While this is understandable, you may come across ads that are unsuitable for the platform. These can include spam, harassment, misinformation, and more. If you encounter such ads, you have the option to report them. Read on to learn how. But before we delve into that, let’s understand why you see these ads in the first place.
Why Are You Seeing Inappropriate Ads on YouTube?
Google has access to your web activity data, which it uses to personalize ads on YouTube. However, even if you’ve cleared your Google search history, you may still encounter offensive and inappropriate ads.
This is because advertisers target their ads based on factors like age group, region, and other metrics that you fall under. Nonetheless, it’s important to report ads that are not suitable for the platform.
How to Block Offensive Ads on YouTube
Using YouTube with ads doesn’t mean you have to tolerate inappropriate content. You have the power to report ads on YouTube, which will enhance your feed and assist the platform in removing such advertisements, thereby improving your overall experience.
Tip: If you prefer an ad-free viewing experience without purchasing the premium subscription, you can also utilize ad-blocking software or extensions like AdBlock.
Report Ads on YouTube Feed
The first type of ad you’ll encounter when opening the app is the YouTube feed ad. If you find such ads offensive, inappropriate, or irrelevant, here’s how to report them:
- Open YouTube on your smartphone or browser.
- Select the three dots next to the title and click on ‘My Ad Center.’
- Choose ‘Report ad.’
- Log in with your account if prompted. Select the reason for reporting the ad.
- If requested, provide a detailed explanation of the issue, and fill out any necessary forms.
- Once you’ve provided all the required information, click Submit.
Report Ads Within YouTube Videos
If an offensive ad plays while you’re watching a YouTube video, you can report it using the following steps:
- Tap the screen while the ad is playing and choose the three dots at the top right corner.
- Click on ‘My Ad Center’ and select ‘Report ad.’
- Choose the reason for reporting and provide a detailed explanation of the issue.
- When finished, click Submit.
Report Inappropriate Paid Promotion From Creators
Currently, there isn’t an official method to report paid promotions within YouTube videos. However, you can still report the video itself. Here’s how:
- Open the YouTube video that you have issues with.
- Tap the video and click the gear icon at the top right corner in the YouTube app.
Note: If you’re using a browser, click the three dots below the video (if you’re in fullscreen mode, exit it).
- Select ‘Report’ and choose a reason.
- Once you’ve selected a reason, click Report.
Once you’ve reported the video, you’ll receive a confirmation from YouTube, assuring you that appropriate action will be taken if any issues relevant to your report are found.
How to Dislike a YouTube Ad
If you have ad personalization turned on, Google tailors ads based on your watch history, likes, dislikes, and more. To prevent the display of similar ads in the future, here’s how to dislike a YouTube ad:
- When you see an ad on YouTube, click the three dots or the ‘i’ button and select ‘My Ad Center.’
- Click the minus button next to the ad title to dislike it and other similar ads.
Tip: Conversely, if you enjoy watching a particular ad, you can like it to see more ads of a similar nature.
FAQs on Reporting YouTube Ads
Watch Relevant Content
YouTube is an excellent platform for accessing a wealth of information. However, to ensure a safe experience, it’s essential to report any inappropriate ads. We hope this guide has provided the necessary information on how to do so. If you have any doubts or queries, please let us know in the comments section.
