For the last few days, some users on the YouTube platform have observed that the platform is making it harder to skip ads for them.
Many users are complaining on Reddit that they are not seeing a skip button when ads are playing. It looks like YouTube has removed the countdown timer from the ad UI. Just a few days later, Android Police reported that they are not seeing a countdown timer to skip on mobile apps as well.
YouTube responded to The Verge’s query for comment. They say they are not removing the skip button but rather changing some elements of how ads are displayed.
“YouTube is not hiding the skip button. On skippable ads, the button appears after 5 seconds into playback, as always.”
“To allow users to focus on the video creative and make the player more seamless with YouTube content, we are reducing elements on the ads player. In doing so, viewers can engage more deeply with the ad through a cleaner experience.”
“Viewers on the mobile and desktop experience may see the countdown timer now appear as a progress bar at the bottom of the screen. YouTube has been rolling out yearly updates that offer a more modern and immersive viewing experience while also improving how users watch videos. In alignment with these updates, across the platform, the ads experience is also evolving.”
Well, the distinction here is that the skip button is not being removed, just hidden until it has a purpose.
The company is not hiding the skip button but YouTube is actively expanding where and how you see ads. Now, the pause screen is a fair game for YouTube. Just last year, YouTube removed some ad controls for creators.
YouTube has also been cracking down on using ad blockers to enjoy YouTube.
Thanks for choosing to leave a comment. Please keep in mind that all comments are moderated according to our comment Policy.
