Do you get tired of YouTube’s pervasive ads interrupting your livestreams? YouTube seems to be willing to make its ads a little less annoying, at least for live videos. Currently, the company is testing a new ad format that won’t disrupt your viewing experience.
YouTube has announced an experiment with “picture-in-picture” ads for live videos. Rather than ads cutting away your stream entirely, they’ll play in a small movable window. This lets viewers keep watching the live content simultaneously without missing a moment.
Creators will now have the option to enable this setting from their channel settings. They can also choose it as the default for any future livestreams. The new format aims to provide a better experience for all while still generating ad money.
Early feedback will help YouTube understand if picture-in-picture promotes viewer retention better. Some speculate it may curb the use of ad blockers too. The test will roll out gradually, starting with select users and devices in the coming months.
Overall, it’s a smart compromise if effective. Livestream fans happily keep watching interference-free, and creators plus YouTube still turn a profit. Success could see picture-in-picture become the new norm for all live video down the road.
