Does Surfshark block youtube ads?

YouTube ads have become an unavoidable part of the internet experience, interrupting videos, slowing down browsing, and sometimes even forcing unskippable commercials before you get to the content you actually want. Many users look for ways to block these ads, whether through browser extensions, premium subscriptions, or VPN services like Surfshark.

So, the big question is: Does Surfshark block YouTube ads?

The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. While Surfshark has an ad-blocking feature called CleanWeb, its effectiveness on YouTube ads is inconsistent. Let’s break it down.

Quick Guide

✅ Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature can reduce some ads on websites.
❌ YouTube ads are difficult to block, and CleanWeb is not reliable at blocking them.
💡 For better ad-blocking, use uBlock Origin, Brave browser, or alternative YouTube clients like NewPipe.
🚀 If you want a 100% ad-free experience, YouTube Premium is the only guaranteed option.

What Is Surfshark?

Surfshark is a VPN (Virtual Private Network) provider, primarily designed for privacy, security, and geo-unblocking rather than ad-blocking. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a remote server, hiding your real IP address and making it harder for websites to track you.

While this is useful for bypassing geo-restrictions (such as watching Netflix libraries from different countries), it doesn’t inherently block ads—except when paired with Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature.

How Surfshark’s CleanWeb Aims to Block Ads

Surfshark includes CleanWeb, an ad-blocking feature designed to prevent ads, trackers, and malware. When enabled, CleanWeb blocks known advertising domains at the DNS level, preventing your browser from even requesting ad-related content.

This works effectively on many websites, reducing banner ads and pop-ups, and even blocking trackers from following you around the internet. However, YouTube ads are a different beast.

Does Surfshark CleanWeb Effectively Block YouTube Ads?

The Problem with Blocking YouTube Ads

YouTube’s advertising system is one of the most aggressive and sophisticated online. Unlike traditional websites that rely on external ad servers, YouTube embeds ads directly into its videos. This makes blocking them at the DNS level much more difficult.

Many standalone ad blockers, including Surfshark’s CleanWeb, struggle to consistently block YouTube ads because:

1. YouTube Ads Are Served from the Same Domain – YouTube ads don’t come from a separate ad domain like other websites. Instead, they are served directly from youtube.com, making DNS-based blocking tricky.
2. Frequent Countermeasures – YouTube constantly updates its ad-delivery methods to bypass ad blockers.
3. App Limitations – If you’re using the YouTube mobile app, VPN-based ad blockers (including Surfshark) generally won’t work at all.

User Reports on CleanWeb’s Effectiveness

Based on user feedback and testing:

• On desktop browsers, CleanWeb sometimes blocks YouTube ads when watching videos directly on YouTube.
• On mobile browsers, it may block some ads, but performance is inconsistent.
• On the YouTube app, CleanWeb does not block ads at all.

Workarounds to Make CleanWeb More Effective

If you want to improve Surfshark’s ability to block YouTube ads, try these steps:

1. Watch YouTube in a browser (not the app) – CleanWeb has a better chance of blocking ads in a web browser like Chrome or Firefox than in the official YouTube app.
2. Use Brave Browser – The Brave browser has a built-in ad blocker that works well with YouTube. Pairing it with Surfshark can enhance ad blocking.
3. Enable Additional Browser Extensions – A dedicated ad blocker like uBlock Origin can complement CleanWeb and improve results.

Better Alternatives for Blocking YouTube Ads

If blocking YouTube ads is your main goal, there are better solutions than Surfshark alone. Here are some alternatives:

1. Use a Dedicated Ad Blocker

Standalone ad blockers like uBlock Origin (for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge) are far more effective at blocking YouTube ads than VPN-based solutions. They work at the browser level and use frequently updated blocklists to filter out ads.

2. Try Alternative YouTube Clients

• NewPipe (Android only) – A free, open-source YouTube client that plays videos without ads and even allows background playback.
• Invidious (Browser-based) – An alternative YouTube front-end that removes ads and trackers while letting you watch YouTube videos anonymously.

3. Use Pi-hole (Network-Wide Ad Blocking)

Pi-hole is a network-wide ad blocker that works at the router level. It can block many ads across all devices on your network, though YouTube ads can still sneak through due to the way they are delivered.

4. Get YouTube Premium

While not free, YouTube Premium is the most reliable way to remove ads completely. It also supports creators while providing extra features like background play and YouTube Music.

Final Verdict: Does Surfshark Block YouTube Ads?

Not effectively. While Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature may block some YouTube ads, it’s inconsistent and unreliable—especially compared to dedicated ad blockers.

If blocking YouTube ads is your priority, you’ll have better luck using a standalone ad blocker like uBlock Origin, alternative YouTube clients like NewPipe, or even considering YouTube Premium for a hassle-free experience.

That said, Surfshark is still an excellent VPN for privacy, security, and bypassing geo-restrictions—it’s just not the best tool for completely eliminating YouTube ads.