YouTube ends experiment that forced users to watch large unskippable ads

YouTube ends experiment that forced users to watch large unskippable ads

Several users last week complained about seeing large unskippable ads on YouTube. The video streaming platform was testing to show up to 10 unskippable ads when watching a video. Now, following complaints and disappointments from users on Reddit and Twitter, the company has concluded the experiment. A YouTube spokesperson confirmed the same to 9to5Google. The spokesperson said that YouTube’s experiments with bumper ads has now ‘concluded’. “At YouTube, we’re focused on helping brands connect with audiences around the world, and we’re always testing new ways to surface ads that enhance the viewer experience. We ran a small experiment globally that served multiple ads in an ad pod when viewers watched longer videos on connected TVs. The goal is to build a better experience for viewers by reducing ad breaks. We have concluded this small experiment,” the report quotes.

After receiving user’s response on long ads via Twitter and Reddit, YouTube clarified that this will not happen with all the videos and that the ads would not be very long. The video streaming platform then confirmed that each ad will be only six seconds long and not more than that. It basically suggests that if there are five ads, then an individual will have to wait for approximately 30 seconds to continue watching a video on YouTube.

But with the spokesperson confirming that the advertisement experiment has concluded, there will be a sigh of relief among YouTube users. In order to watch any video without ads, users can buy YouTube Premium subscription and avail some extra benefits as well. In India, YouTube Premium subscription costs 1,290 for a year, while the YouTube Premium Family plan costs 189 per month. The video company also offers a 30-day free trial for new subscribers. Second option is to use Chrome’s ad blocker extension on their desktop.

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YouTube tests 5 unskippable ads: Will users be ‘forced’ to watch more ads?

YouTube tests 5 unskippable ads: Will users be ‘forced’ to watch more ads?

YouTube, a video streaming platform, is reportedly planning to place five ads on a video which will be unskippable. The platform is currently testing this feature to make it a reality soon. At the moment, YouTube shows only two unskippable ads which is still fine for a free user. But, it seems that five ads have irked many, as several users have expressed their disappointment on Twitter. After receiving the tweets on long ads, YouTube tweeted stating that this will not happen with all the videos and that the ads would not be very long. The video streaming platform has confirmed that each ad will be only six seconds long and not more than that. It basically suggests that if there are five ads, then an individual will have to wait for approximately 30 seconds to continue watching a video on YouTube.

YouTube tweeted, “This may happen with a certain type of ad format called bumper ads, since they are only up to 6 seconds long. If you’d like, you can send feedback directly from YouTube via the send feedback tool.” In order to watch any video without ads, users can use Chrome’s ad blocker extension on their desktop. Secondly, users can spend money on YouTube’s subscription and avail some extra benefits as well. Meanwhile, in a recent development, YouTube has announced that it will offer a stripped-down version of its site tailored for schools and colleges, in an attempt to establish itself in the digital education tools market, even as it introduces new features for creators and institutions using the platform for educational content.

YouTube is introducing Player for Education and Courses, which is a feature that will let video creators offer online classes for a fee or free of charge. According to The Verge report, YouTube has announced new tools for creators making educational content on the platform, which include ways to charge viewers for their videos. Interestingly, beginning next year, certain creators will be able to make free or paid “courses,” with playlists of videos set up for audiences, according to The Verge report. “If a viewer buys a course, they’ll be able to watch the content ad-free and play the videos in the background. Courses will come to the US and South Korea first in beta,” The Verge report said.

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‘This is insane’: Tweet complaining about YouTube ads goes viral

‘This is insane’: Tweet complaining about YouTube ads goes viral

With more than 2.5 billion active users, YouTube is one of the most popular social media websites in the world. While people across the world rely on the video-sharing platform for entertainment, and even work, it comes with its own share of problems.
Earlier this week, an innocuous nine-word tweet about the platform’s frequent advertisement breaks went viral.

On Wednesday, a user who goes by the handle “@wydccalamity” tweeted, “Youtube having THREE ads before a video is insane”. This tweet went viral as it resonated with YouTube users around the world and soon garnered over 3 lakh likes and over 23,000 retweets.

Youtube having THREE ads before a video is insane
— 𝐚-𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐧 (@wydccalamity) June 22, 2022
YouTube, which earns most of its revenue from advertisements, replied to the criticism and commented, “hey there – this may happen w/ a certain type of ad format called bumper ads (since they’re super short, only up to 6 secs). but we appreciate your honest feedback & will be sure to share it w/ the appropriate team!”

hey there – this may happen w/ a certain type of ad format called bumper ads (since they’re super short, only up to 6 secs). but we appreciate your honest feedback & will be sure to share it w/ the appropriate team!
— TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) June 23, 2022
However, this response failed to impress netizens who pointed out that many back-to-back ads that are ‘un-skippable’ are longer in duration. Echoing this argument, a Twitter user responded, “totally false…your bumper ads are 25 seconds long..in some cases..35 seconds…do not lie here saying your bumper ads are only 6 secs long”.
totally false…your bumper ads are 25 seconds long..in some cases..35 seconds…do not lie here saying your bumper ads are only 6 secs long
— mayank (@mayankwa786) June 23, 2022

While you are at it, can you stop putting condoms ad, which can’t be skipped and ain’t age appropriate. Watching them while waiting for baby shark to play is ‘difficult’
— Ram Naresh (@RamNareshAK) June 23, 2022

That doesn’t even matter. You didn’t jump to this “ad format” for customer convenience, you did it so you could get a shit ton of more money from 3 entirely separate companies in the same 30 second time slot. Don’t lie, we see right through you. Admit it and we’ll consider.
— 🧡🤍💗💐 (@Ivrboyhwa) June 23, 2022

hey is it just me but your ads seem to be 2 volumes higher than the video? they always give me earrapes and while 3 ads r annoying enough you had to blast my ears too with them????
— k.k. disco (slebew) (@xiaolongbao___o) June 23, 2022

You guys just have to give in and buy YouTube Premium. It makes going through YouTube videos along with listening to videos and music so much more easier. I was hesitant for a long time on gettin it but my whole experience has been improved by a huge margin afterwards.
— StageCraftBeast / Zach (@StageCraftBeast) June 23, 2022

They should make it 10 if they like, I’m still not going premium. 😌
— A.Kalabari.Queen (@oprite) June 24, 2022

I’m still not paying for the ad free one. I’ll be here complaining when they go to 8 ads before a clip 😂😂
— Antonella212 (Instagram) (@NYorNothing) June 22, 2022
 
People also raised the issue of age-appropriate advertisements and replied to YouTube, “While you are at it, can you stop putting condoms ad, which can’t be skipped and ain’t age appropriate. Watching them while waiting for baby shark to play is ‘difficult’”.

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YouTube Music to go audio-only for non-premium users: All you need to know

YouTube Music to go audio-only for non-premium users: All you need to know

YouTube Music is soon going audio-only for free users and will no longer play music videos alongside the audio. The platform recently announced via a detailed post that videos on YouTube Music will soon become exclusive to YouTube Premium or YouTube Music Premium subscribers.
Free users who aren’t subscribed to either of these plans will also miss out on features like on-demand music selection and unlimited skips.
YouTube Music will, however, continue to allow free users to access dedicated mood mixes on the platform. These include mixes for workout and commute with advertisements. The post, first spotted by 9to5Google also states that if free listeners have uploaded songs on the YouTube Music app, they can continue to play them anytime, on-demand.

Here’s a detailed list of features free and paid users will be able to experience.
Free users:
Listen to music in the background
Shuffle play personalized mixes (that are made just for you!)
Find the perfect mood mixes for activities like workout, commute and more
Explore millions of songs & thousands of playlists, free of cost
Premium subscription users:
Listen to songs on-demand
Watch videos on YouTube Music
Skip tracks an unlimited number of times
Enjoy YouTube Music without ads

The new changes are set to roll out first in Canada on November 3 this year. Following this, we can expect the changes to come to other regions including India. It remains to be seen what YouTube and YouTube Music’s long term plans are for other regions. More details on the same should be revealed by the company soon.

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