YouTube is reportedly introducing ad breaks for both users and advertisers. Last year, the video streaming giant first announced plans to introduce these ads, which appear when a video is paused. Many Internet users have reported seeing these ads and have expressed concern about this move. These appear as pop-up ads and can be still images or short, looping videos. YouTube reportedly went ahead with its plans to release these ads after receiving severe backlash from advertisers and users.
YouTube is reportedly rolling out ad bans
Interstitial ads, or ads that appear when a video is paused, are becoming increasingly popular among users. Many people use social media platforms like Reddit and Twitter to post about new developments in video streaming platforms.
These ads are different from the ads YouTube typically shows at the beginning of your videos and between videos. These appear whenever the user pauses the video. Additionally, unlike full video ads, these are pop-up style ads that only take up part of the page. Based on examples Gadgets 360 employees have seen on social media, these ads appear to the right of the video interface on the web and above the comments section in the mobile app.
Additionally, unlike non-skippable ads on the platform launched in 2023, these ads can be removed by tapping the “X” icon in the top right corner of the ad. However, the sudden appearance of these ads is not a coincidence.
YouTube’s communications director Uluwa Farodun told The Verge that the company decided to roll out the temporary ads widely after receiving “strong feedback from advertisers and viewers.”
The blocked ads are reportedly intended to provide users with a “less intrusive” experience, the company said. However, there is no mention of whether regular ads will appear less frequently after running these pop-up ads.
Although the move to show pause ads does not appear to be well received by users, it is not the first streaming platform to implement this. Disney+ Many top platforms like Hotstar, JioCinema and Zee5 run ads on the landing page of their free and cheaper subscription tiers.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.