YouTube, owned by Google, announced that starting May 12, it will reduce the number of ads interrupting videos at inconvenient moments. Ideally, ads should not break a narrator’s sentence or disrupt the sequence of actions. Automatic algorithms will now ensure ads appear during natural pauses in videos.
Changes to Ad Placement and Revenue
Videos uploaded before February 24 will be optimized under this new approach. Creators uploading content via YouTube Studio will still have the option to disable automatic ad placement. However, starting May 12, manually placed ads will generate lower revenue, as YouTube warns.
To encourage creators to trust automated placement, YouTube is introducing a recommendation tool that suggests the best positions for ad breaks in each video. If creators accept, the system will handle ad placement automatically.
YouTube states that creators who use automation while keeping some manual control earn, on average, 5% more ad revenue than those relying solely on manual placement, adds NIX Solutions. The platform believes reducing unexpected ad interruptions helps retain viewers’ attention.
We’ll keep you updated on any further developments regarding ad placement on YouTube.