YouTube is testing picture-in-picture (PiP) live mid-roll ads that aim to help content creators earn more without botching the viewing experience for fans. The video-sharing platform announced on August 5, that select viewers on certain devices will begin encountering this innovative ad format in the coming months.
The new PiP mid-roll ads are designed to appear as smaller overlay screens on top of the ongoing live stream, allowing creators to monetize their content without disrupting the flow of their broadcast. This approach marks a significant shift from YouTube’s current mid-roll ad tests for live streams, that typically interrupts the main content.
According to YouTube, the introduction of this format is in response to the success of their earlier live mid-roll ad experiments. The platform reported that creators who adopted automated live mid-roll ads saw an average increase of over 20% in in-stream ad revenue per hour, highlighting the potential financial benefits for content creators. Speaking of benefits to content creators, the company also announced a change to its partner program to help creators appeal channel suspensions before they take effect.
While the new format may prove less disruptive for viewers, questions remain about its effectiveness for advertisers compared to full-screen ad breaks. That said, as a viewer, this new approach would cut down the frustrating experience of being interrupted mid-way.
YouTube has not specified which devices will be part of the initial test phase or how widely the feature will be rolled out. YouTube’s experiment with PiP mid-roll ads represents another step in the ongoing challenge of balancing user experience with monetization in the live-streaming space.
Dwayne Cubbins
400 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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