YouTube viewers are going to start seeing ads on videos at the worst possible moments thanks to Google’s Gemini AI.
YouTube ads have been a controversial subject for years now, with the platform finding more ways to implement them while raising the price of Premium in the process.
And it’s earned the site a boatload of cash, as in 2024 alone, as YouTube reportedly raked in over $36 billion from advertisements.
Now, the site has announced plans to target viewers when they’re most engaged – meaning right when you’re at the edge of your seat watching a video, you could be forced to ensure a round of commercials.
YouTube tests “Peak Point” ads
On May 14, the Google-owned platform announced a new artificial intelligence feature called “Peak Points.”
As reported by CNBC, Gemini, Google’s AI, can identify parts of videos where viewer attention is at its highest, such as emotionally impactful moments, and suggest placing an ad after it, just as viewers are the most invested.
Peak Point ads could help creators earn more money as they’re coming when engagement is highest.
In an example shared by YouTube, a man proposes and the couple shares a kiss. YouTube then recognizes this as a “peak” moment and suggests an ad window immediately following it.
The AI model is trained by analyzing video transcripts and frames. While currently just a pilot program, it’s expected to roll out over the course of 2025.
For those not wanting to put up with these new ads, YouTube has launched a new Lite version of Premium for a cheaper price and without all the bells and whistles as its standard counterpart.
The platform is also testing a Spotify-style Premium subscription for couples or roommates where two people can effectively get their own Premium accounts for a cheaper price than paying for both separately.
Content shared from www.dexerto.com.