EntertainmentStreamingA YouTube upgrade is rolling out now, but you probably won’t like itThis could change the YouTube experience as you know itWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentStreamingA YouTube upgrade is rolling out now, but you probably won’t like itThis could change the YouTube experience as you know itWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
This could change the YouTube experience as you know it
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Google)
(Image credit: Google)
Quick summaryYouTube is rolling out adverts when you pause a video.It’s one of a number of display advertising changes that have appeared on the platform in recent years.
YouTube is rolling out adverts when you pause a video.It’s one of a number of display advertising changes that have appeared on the platform in recent years.
YouTube is rolling out adverts when you pause a video.It’s one of a number of display advertising changes that have appeared on the platform in recent years.
YouTube is rolling out adverts when you pause a video.
It’s one of a number of display advertising changes that have appeared on the platform in recent years.
With a global audience of around 2.5 billion, it’s thought that nearly 50% of those who have access to the internet watchYouTubeevery month. While many of those users are on mobile devices it’s increasingly easy, and common, to watch YouTube on the big screen -the television.
YouTube is not only one of the biggest social media platforms, but one of thebest streaming servicestoo. As a platform, YouTube is constantly evolving, adding optionsto highlight things like AI-generated content, or allowing the community toadd notes to videosfor more clarification.
But at the same time, YouTube is a huge advertising platform, with an advertising revenue ofapproximately $31.5 billion in 2023. And it’s advertising where YouTube is making its upgrade,according to 9to5Google.
Googlehas been toying with different ways to insert adverts into and around videos, be that longer advert blocks or unskippable adverts, but the latest change is to place adverts when you hit pause.
That’s right. When someone walks in and starts talking about their day, or detailing why they’re upset about something you said, it’s only natural to pause that cat video so that you can have a proper conversation. Now that moment of domestic interaction could be enhanced with an advert for Dunkin' Donuts.
I’m not singling out Dunkin' Donuts specifically, but so far that seems to be the advert that people have seen,according to reports on Reddit- I’m sure that once other donut outlets see the potential, every paused video on YouTube will be tempting you with sweet treats.
Advertising has long been a bone of contention on YouTube, but for many the platform is free to watch and how are all those poor YouTubers going to make a living if you’re not getting adverts stuffed into your eyes at every opportunity?
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
This appears to be a phased roll-out. I’ve been doggedly watching YouTube videos of peoplejetwashing, well, everything, regularly pausing to “work” and I’m yet to see these adverts.
It’s just the latest route to making money from screen time, but to be honest, it’s not too offensive: if I’ve pressed pause, it’s likely that I’m doing something else, so it’s not actually too much of a distraction.
Today’s best Amazon Fire TV dealsAmazon Fire TV Omni QLED 43-inch$439.99$359.99ViewSee all pricesAmazon Fire TV Omni QLED 55-inch$499.99$439.99ViewSee all pricesAmazon Fire TV Omni QLED 65-inch$719.99$619.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Amazon Fire TV dealsAmazon Fire TV Omni QLED 43-inch$439.99$359.99ViewSee all pricesAmazon Fire TV Omni QLED 55-inch$499.99$439.99ViewSee all pricesAmazon Fire TV Omni QLED 65-inch$719.99$619.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Amazon Fire TV dealsAmazon Fire TV Omni QLED 43-inch$439.99$359.99ViewSee all pricesAmazon Fire TV Omni QLED 55-inch$499.99$439.99ViewSee all pricesAmazon Fire TV Omni QLED 65-inch$719.99$619.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Amazon Fire TV deals
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED 43-inch$439.99$359.99ViewSee all pricesAmazon Fire TV Omni QLED 55-inch$499.99$439.99ViewSee all pricesAmazon Fire TV Omni QLED 65-inch$719.99$619.99ViewSee all prices
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED 43-inch$439.99$359.99ViewSee all prices
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED 43-inch$439.99$359.99ViewSee all prices
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED 43-inch
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED 43-inch
$439.99$359.99View
$439.99$359.99
$359.99
See all prices
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED 55-inch$499.99$439.99ViewSee all prices
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED 55-inch$499.99$439.99ViewSee all prices
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED 55-inch
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED 55-inch
$499.99$439.99View
$499.99$439.99
$439.99
See all prices
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED 65-inch$719.99$619.99ViewSee all prices
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED 65-inch$719.99$619.99ViewSee all prices
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED 65-inch
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED 65-inch
$719.99$619.99View
$719.99$619.99
$619.99
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
HDR video is now on YouTube, here’s what you can watchHigh Dynamic Range and 4K videos are filling YouTube fast
High Dynamic Range and 4K videos are filling YouTube fast
Samsung Galaxy S25: every leak, rumour and spec we’ve heard before the launch eventThis is everything we’ve heard about the new handsets
This is everything we’ve heard about the new handsets
This case turns your iPhone or Android phone into an e-reader, but there’s a catchActually, there are a couple…
Actually, there are a couple…
Amazon finally unveils its most dystopian show yet with a real trailerBeast Games looks fairly horrifying
Beast Games looks fairly horrifying
Finished The Gentlemen? There’s a forgotten Guy Ritchie TV spinoff you can also streamBefore The Gentlemen there was…
Before The Gentlemen there was…
Watch YouTube on your TV? This free software upgrade is making it even betterThe interface for watching YouTube on a TV is being changed
The interface for watching YouTube on a TV is being changed
YouTube embraces the darkness with a big upgrade on everythingYouTube’s getting a makeover on phones, tablets, computers and smart TVs too
YouTube’s getting a makeover on phones, tablets, computers and smart TVs too
iPhone users are getting this cool free iOS YouTube upgradeSometimes tech moves incredibly quickly. Not here: we’ve been waiting for this upgrade for years
Sometimes tech moves incredibly quickly. Not here: we’ve been waiting for this upgrade for years
YouTube offers TV shows to stream for freeThe latest move sees YouTube vying for the cord-cutting audience with its new ad-supported offering of over 4000 TV episodes
The latest move sees YouTube vying for the cord-cutting audience with its new ad-supported offering of over 4000 TV episodes
