Some users reported the sudden rise of 90-second unskippable ads on YouTube when they were watching the platform on their TVs. The reports sparked widespread debates on social media platforms like X and Reddit. However, YouTube has since claimed that it was not testing such ads on any of its platforms.
YouTube denies testing 90-second unskippable ads
YouTube has diversified beyond just desktops and laptops. It is now available in a variety of forms, like on mobile phones and televisions. It seems that some users who use YouTube on TV, an increasingly common practice, have recently experienced a peculiar phenomenon. This is where they are seeing unskippable 90-second ads.
One user started the discussion by posting a screenshot of the ad on Reddit, kickstarting a debate.
“I’m speechless,” the user wrote along with the picture, “It was 90+, but I was too stunned to pause it quickly. Thankfully, I was able to hit the ‘block ad’ thing and skip it.”
“I instantly went speechless the moment I saw this,” another user chimed in, while another user wrote, “Does Google have a stated goal for how much money is enough money? Or do they just want all the monies?”
Debates are going around YouTube, testing the new feature, which could potentially mean 90-second ads ahead of content for all users. However, YouTube has responded to Dexerto’s tweet about the same, saying that they have not been testing any such addition.
“YouTube does not have a 90-second non-skippable ad format. This isn’t something we are testing right now. We’re looking into this further,” @TeamYouTube said on the post, dismissing the claims that this could become a common practice for content going forward.
Many believe that this is an attempt to push more users towards getting the subscription-based YouTube Premium.
Moreover, a new feature where TV users will also be able to ask questions to AI during videos is also reportedly being developed by the company.
Originally reported by Sourav Chakraborty on Mandatory.
