YouTube is shaking things up with ads popping up in places we didn’t expect. Users are now spotting ads in their subscriptions feed, which is usually reserved for content from channels they’ve subscribed to. This change matters because it alters how we interact with our favorite channels.
In addition to ads in the subscriptions feed, YouTube is also rolling out side-by-side ads during live streams. Imagine watching a live show, and suddenly an ad appears right next to it. This feature initially launched last year but is now becoming more visible. What’s interesting is that during these ad breaks, the stream’s audio is muted, and the ad takes over, which might be a bit jarring for some.
Previously, YouTube TV expanded its multiview feature to let you watch multiple channels at once, so this new ad format seems to be another way for YouTube to enhance the viewing experience (or maybe just sneak in more ads). While users are noticing more ads than usual, YouTube hasn’t shared much about why this is happening now, so keep an eye out for updates.
In the meantime, if you’re finding these ads a bit much, you might want to check out how YouTube lets you turn off Shorts completely to streamline your viewing experience. Stay tuned for any announcements from YouTube about these changes, and let us know what you think!
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