YouTube is testing major changes to the skip button that seem to make it more difficult to find, so you might end up watching more ads.

After, the skip button pops up in the bottom right corner (as usual) while the ad continues to play until it's pressed. While mobile devices are seeing the skip button hidden unti

However, last week, users on desktop noticed a gray rectangle covering the Skip button until it can be used, without showing a circular countdown timer as a placeholder. At the time, we suspected it was a limited test, but it appears to be rolling out more widely now.

YouTube no longer shows a countdown timer when playing ads in its mobile app. The skip button now appears when the ad becomes skippable.

YouTube's potential removal of the ‘Skip’ button raises concerns about user experience amid increasing ad segments.

YouTube appears to be testing a new method to prevent users from skipping ads by obfuscating the Skip button. The change seen by multiple users involves adding blackout squares over ads to hide the Skip button, potentially as part of a limited test.

Android Police reports that YouTube has removed the countdown for skippable ads, making the skip ad button appear abruptly on mobile.