YouTube decides to remove unskippable 30-second ads
Speaking to BBC on Saturday, a Google spokesperson confirmed the company's plans to remove this annoying aspect from the video-streaming website, and stated that the focus will shift onto formats that are more engaging for viewers and advertisers alike.
However, the most appropriate and profitable format for such online commercials is still a topic of intense debates. Will Smyth, head of media at marketing and advertising agency Agenda 21, agrees with Google's decision as he considers the 30-second format as a thing from the past:
The 30-second ad is a legacy from TV times. It's a standard TV unit which has been put online, but it's not the most effective way to advertise... This will encourage advertisers to be more creative about the way they use the platform. It's good business for everyone to focus on 'skippables' - people aren't forced to sit through ads, and advertisers don't need to pay if their ad is skipped.
This undoubtedly is great news, but it doesn't mean that all unskippable content of this kind will eventually disappear. The six-second bumper ads that YouTube introduced last year will likely be seen more, while the shorter 15- and 20-second formats won't be going anywhere for now.
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Things that are NOT allowed: