YouTube starts showing ads on all devices even when the video is paused
YouTube is willing to do anything to get users to pay for premium and has been cracking down hard for a few years. Google has been adding more ads at the beginning and middle of videos, and preventing users from using ad blockers to skip them.
The platform has followed in the footsteps of other platforms like Amazon with interactive ads that lead to advertisers’ websites, but it has also explored other spaces to place ads in. The first rumors about YouTube possibly adding ads to its pause button began at least six years ago, but Google has confirmed that it will eventually become a reality.
The changes first became noticeable last week when some users claimed they saw ads when pausing videos on their TVs, and now they're rolling out across all devices.
“Because we saw a strong response from both advertisers and viewers, we’ve implemented temporary ads for all advertisers,” Oluwa Falodon, YouTube’s director of communications, told The Verge.
YouTube began testing the ad system last year with a limited group of advertisers. Google’s chief commercial officer, Philipp Schindler, revealed in April that it had been a hit with advertisers and allowed the company to generate additional revenue.
YouTube's move was not well received by viewers and users began commenting on the situation on Reddit. The platform was filled with posts showing ads being placed on the right side of landscape computers and TVs and on the bottom of portrait devices.
“Admittedly this is pretty annoying, but it’s a clever way to put an ad in your face,” said @megaoscar900 on Reddit. Other users are somewhat annoyed by the increase in ads in recent months.
The solution is to not show ads and pay for a YouTube Premium subscription for $11.99 per month for the individual package and $6.99 for the student, which is a bit high compared to the rates of other platforms such as Netflix.