Exploring YouTube Scam Ads

Introduction

• Purpose: Investigating YouTube scam ads by clicking on them to see what happens.

Understanding YouTube Ads

• Types of Ads: Pre-rolls, mid-rolls, post-rolls, banners, and suggested video ads.
• Prevalence: YouTube serves millions of ads to billions of users monthly.

Methodology

• Using Incognito Mode: Since the speaker is a YouTube Premium user, they use incognito mode to receive ads like a general user.
• Clearing Cookies: Ensures a fresh browsing experience with no ad history.
• Approach: Clicking on trending videos, refreshing cookies, and viewing recommended feeds to identify scam ads.

Scam Ad Experiences

1. **Women Seeking Companionship Ad:

   • Experience: Entering false age information and interacting with potentially fake profiles.
   • Result: Reported the ad for violating Google’s policy.

2. Solar Energy Ads:

   • Insight: Found to be borderline scams due to questionable financial returns.

3. Various Dating Ads:

   • Clear Cookies: To reset ad recommendations.
   • Example: Over 50 Monster Girls browser game, failed to provide a clear, legitimate experience.

4. Product Ads:

   • Example: Increase cup size swimwear (A to C). Purchased and tested; found to contain silicone padding.
   • Result:** Decided it wasn't a scam, just misleading advertising.

5. **Game Ads:

   • Example: Promoting online games like Minecraft that led to unsatisfactory experiences and potential scam implications.**

Observations

• Scam Ad Patterns: Found repetitive themes in dating and game ads.
• YouTube’s Cleanup Efforts: Noted a decrease in prevalence of scam ads over time.
• Remaining Gaps: Ads for “women seeking companionship” still prevalent.

Recommendations & Conclusions

• Report Scam Ads: Continue reporting to help maintain a clean platform.
• Stay Informed: Awareness of common types of scam ads helps in avoiding them.
• Future Investigations: Continuous monitoring and revisiting ad ecosystems.
• Positive Note: YouTube’s effort in cleaning up scam ads is evident.

Summary: This exploration didn't net as many scam ads as expected, indicating YouTube's improved ad vetting. However, vigilance is required, especially around dating ads.

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