YouTube is increasing the duration of ad breaks on Connected TV (CTV) platforms to provide longer uninterrupted viewing sessions.
- The move follows successful testing that showed 79% of viewers prefer grouped video ads over shorter, dispersed slots.
Key points:
- YouTube expanding longer ad breaks for Connected TV (CTV) experiences.
- Aim: Provide longer uninterrupted viewing blocks.
- Initial test increased uninterrupted viewing by 29%.
- New format could extend viewing sessions by 50% before next ad break.
YouTube is seeking to balance user experience with advertiser needs on CTV platforms, potentially reshaping how ads are delivered in streaming environments.
Why we care. Advertisers should monitor how this impacts brand recall, click-through rates and overall campaign performance compared to traditional ad placements. Effectiveness metrics and viewer behavior data will be affected as this format rolls out more widely.
By the numbers. According to internal Google/YouTube data:
- 79% of YouTube viewers prefer grouped video ads.
- CTV viewers may experience 50% longer ad-free sessions.
How it works:
- Ads clustered into longer blocks.
- Viewers can skip to next ad after 5 seconds.
- Countdown timer displayed for ad blocks.
But. Questions remain about ad response rates in longer blocks compared to shorter in-stream promotions.
Between the lines. The countdown timer might encourage viewers to temporarily disengage, potentially affecting ad effectiveness. User engagement patterns will be crucial metrics to monitor.
Bottom line. YouTube’s ad experiment aims to create a win-win for viewers and advertisers, but its success will depend on balancing uninterrupted content with effective ad delivery.
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About the author
Anu Adegbola has been Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land since 2024. She covers paid search, paid social, retail media, video and more.
In 2008, Anu’s career started with
delivering digital marketing campaigns (mostly but not exclusively Paid Search) by building strategies, maximising ROI, automating repetitive processes and bringing efficiency from every part of marketing departments through inspiring leadership both on agency, client and marketing tech side.
Outside editing Search Engine Land article she is the founder of PPC networking event – PPC Live, host of weekly podcast PPCChat Roundup, and brand evangelist at ClickTech.
She is also an international speaker with some of the stages she has presented on being SMX (US), SMX (Munich), Friends of Search (Amsterdam), brightonSEO, The Marketing Meetup, HeroConf (PPC Hero), SearchLove, BiddableWorld, SESLondon, PPC Chat Live, AdWorld Experience (Bologna) and more.
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