SmartDuck

Lowers YouTube ad volume automatically, then restores it when the ad ends. Ads still play, they're just quieter.

YouTube ads often feel louder than the video you were watching, even with YouTube's own volume normalization ("Stable Volume") turned on. That's because ads are usually mixed and compressed to sound more aggressive, so they cut through even when their measured loudness is matched. SmartDuck fixes this in the simplest way possible: when an ad starts, it smoothly lowers the volume. When the ad ends, it smoothly brings it back. That's it. WHY SMARTDUCK - Not an ad blocker: ads still play normally, so creators still get their views. SmartDuck only changes the volume. - Works alongside YouTube's Stable Volume: it adds the explicit, adjustable control that the automatic system doesn't give you. - You decide how much: set the ducking level anywhere from a gentle reduction all the way down to full mute during ads. - Smooth, not jarring: the volume fades down and back up instead of jumping, so the transitions feel natural. - Respects you: if you change the volume yourself during an ad, SmartDuck won't fight you. PRIVACY FIRST SmartDuck runs entirely on your device. No accounts, no servers, no tracking, no data collection of any kind. It only needs permission to adjust the player volume on YouTube pages, and it stores just two things locally: whether it's on, and your chosen ducking level. HOW TO USE Install it, open the popup, and set your preferred ducking level. SmartDuck takes care of the rest automatically while you watch. - SmartDuck is developed by IzarSound. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by YouTube or Google LLC.