asathy / skip_youtube_ads

skip_youtube_ads

Intention: The chrome plugin developed in this project allows users to skip ads on youtube.

Just show me how to install and use it:

Steps(Assuming you are already chrome browser):

1. Download chrome-extension file from the current project
2. Click on the three dots located in top right-hand corner
3. Select More Tools->Extensions
4. Click on Load Unpacked Extensions... option & select the downloaded file(chrome-extension).
5. Voila! You will notice a new plugin added next to the three dots
6. Go To www.youtube.com and play any video and if you see an ad just click on the plugin to skip it!

Feel free to check out the contents of the file chrome-extension Nothing is a secret!

How does it work: At its core, all the video players in the World Wide Web uses HTML5 video element to serve and play their content. Ads are also a form of content which is played in the same video player. AND Youtube.com is no different. What the plugin actually does is:

1. It finds this video player on the webpage,
2. Calculates the length of the video.(In our case Ads)
3. And finally sets the length of the video to the same video.

So if a 15 sec ad is served, the plugin, make itself aware of the length of the played ad(15 sec) and fast forwards the ad to the 15th second, ultimately giving us the notion of skipping the ad.