YouTube Expands 'Pause Ads' to All Users

YouTube has officially rolled out 'Pause ads,' a new advertising format that displays static ads when users pause a video. This move follows a successful pilot program started in 2023 and has been met with strong interest from advertisers. YouTube claims these pause ads provide a 'less interruptive' experience, although users have expressed frustration on social media, questioning the necessity of additional ads. Despite introducing these new ads, YouTube has not indicated a reduction in the frequency of traditional ads. The company's strategy aims to boost revenue, which saw significant growth, and promote YouTube Premium as an ad-free alternative. This initiative mirrors similar practices by other streaming services like Hulu and AT&T.