Computer Help and Support

Ranting Randy

(351 posts) Fri Dec 19, 2025, 01:12 AM Friday

Youtube is F***ing with Us?

I've tried to watch a video to learn to repair a new Ryobi tool battery that was sitting in its package for longer than the 3 year warranty. Ryobi won't help and when I try to watch the video I get:

Sign in to confirm you’re not a bot
This helps protect our community. Learn more
Sign in

A bot wants to learn how to repair a battery? That is Bull Shit!

This is just the creeping tightening of the screws on the internet. Monitizing every damn thing. Search results are crap most of the time now and they think you'll pay to get things working again.
Am I too cynical?

6 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Youtube is F***ing with Us? (Original Post) Ranting Randy Friday OP

For the past 2 days, almost every other video or short woodsprite Friday #1

Once in a while, I get ads and just close the window. usonian Friday #2

I don't know if this is the video canetoad Friday #3

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Ranting Randy Sunday #6

Their algorithm probably thinks you're using a VPN RazorbackExpat Friday #4

You might try Brave browser Keepthesoulalive Friday #5

woodsprite

(12,540 posts)

1. For the past 2 days, almost every other video or short

Reply to Ranting Randy (Original post)

Fri Dec 19, 2025, 01:35 AM

Friday

Is coming up in a foreign language. We’ve identified French, Spanish, A couple of Asian languages, and an Indian language, so far. It’s been driving me nuts!

usonian

(23,289 posts)

2. Once in a while, I get ads and just close the window.

Reply to Ranting Randy (Original post)

Fri Dec 19, 2025, 02:07 AM

Friday

I haven't had problems, but I almost always use Firefox loaded with adblocker extensions, but not a specific youtube cleaner-upper.

All sites are getting bombed by AI bots, and take various defenses. The bots want EVERYTHING.

Since every case is different, down to device, browser, extensions, even what network you're on. No general advice wll do, but you might try an app from your (whatever) store that offers to block ads on youtube.

I commonly use iCloud Private Relay, which just hides my IP address and some other things I'm not aware of.

Some people use a VPN to hide their location and encrypt traffic so that their ISP can't snoop on them. Being in a different location (virtually) can mix up sites. I like it when a random search points to a review on amzon in UK or India.

Bots outnumber human users. I just read that today. A trashy internet just got ultra-trashed.

DU uses cloudflare to protect from bots and hackers, and sometimes, that puts up a captcha or nag.

It's war!