YouTube has announced plans to enhance the quality of mid-roll ads starting May 12, 2025, by making them less disruptive to viewers.
Under the new system, ads will be automatically shifted to more “natural break points” in videos, such as pauses or transitions, instead of interrupting dialogue or action scenes. The adjustment aims to create a smoother viewing experience without compromising ad placements.
As part of this update, YouTube will automatically reposition mid-roll ads on older videos published before February 24, 2025, if they contain manually placed ad breaks. Creators who prefer to keep their original ad placements can opt out of the update through the Earn tab in YouTube Studio.
The platform’s July 2024 test showed that channels using a combination of manual and automatic mid-roll ads saw a 5% increase in ad revenue — a potential benefit for creators.
In addition, YouTube is launching a new “Feedback in YouTube Studio” tool this week. The feature will notify creators if their manually placed ads are considered disruptive, helping them adjust ad positions to enhance viewer experience and maximise earnings.
