How to use youtube without supporting google:
1. Newpipe- Android app that removes ads, has background play and you can download videos.
2. invidious- alternative front end for youtube that does the same things as newpipe. But you may have to change instances alot becaues YT keeps blocking them.
3. Libretube- Android app using an invidious backend with a nice UI. Not as stable as newpipe though.
4. Freetube- Desktop app that saves all your sub data locally, watch ad-free and skip sponsors
My personal favorite is newpipe on android and freetube on pc/windows/mac.
Once you get used to watching YT without ads/sponsors you can't go back.
@UncleIroh "how shitty the experience is."
It wasn't always so shitty. After the ad-pocalypse I was inundated with the SAME sponsored messages so much I felt like I was an unwitting MK-ULTRA participant.
"I post YT links here though because sometimes the instances go down as you say."
True but there are new ones everyday despite YT sending them a cease and desist they're still going strong!
Good things happen when you don't cuck. If only the right knew this...
@basedbagel When you spend years working ridiculous hours you tend to find pretty quick the things that let you listen in the background to save battery power and be ad free lol. Glad you've found this stuff.
@FinalDresdonation Damn right lol
You're welcome I'm glad to do my part in boycotting YT.
@basedbagel
I've been using those for so long I get surprised on the odd occasion when i watch an actual YT video at how shitty the experience is.
I post YT links here though because sometimes the instances go down as you say.
I think there are settings in Mastodon where you define default alternatives for all social media - nitter, teddit, invidious/piped - and it converts links on the fly to use those instead.
AMR would have to set that up though.