YouTube’s AI is going to start showing ads at the absolute worst time for viewers

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YouTube users may encounter advertisements at inconvenient times due to the implementation of Google’s Gemini AI technology, which optimizes ad placements within video content.

For quite some time now, YouTube advertisements have stirred up debates due to their continuous evolution and increased implementation, alongside an upward trend in the cost of YouTube Premium.

Furthermore, the site has generated a substantial amount of income, with estimates suggesting that in 2024 alone, YouTube accumulated more than $36 billion through advertising.

Currently, the platform is planning to show ads when viewers are most captivated, which could mean interrupting an exciting video moment with a series of advertisements.

YouTube tests “Peak Point” ads

On the 14th of May, the Google-managed platform unveiled a fresh AI functionality they dubbed “Peak Moments.

According to CNBC, Gemini (Google’s AI) has the ability to pinpoint sections within videos that capture viewers’ maximum attention, like intense or emotional scenes, and propose displaying advertisements immediately following these moments when viewers are most engaged.

Peak Point ads could help creators earn more money as they’re coming when engagement is highest.

Picture this: You’re deeply immersed in a heartfelt scene from a YouTube video, completely captivated. Now, imagine that YouTube starts inserting advertisements immediately following these intense or emotional climaxes.

— Gwilliam (@TheGwilliam) May 15, 2025

In a video uploaded on YouTube, a man gets down on one knee and proposes to his partner who happily accepts, followed by a loving kiss. The video platform identifies this as a significant or emotional “high point” and promptly offers an advertising slot directly afterwards.

The AI system learns from examining video scripts and individual frames. At present, it’s in its testing phase, but plans are underway for its full launch around the year 2025.

If you’re not keen on the latest ads, YouTube now offers a more affordable and stripped-down version of their Premium service, known as YouTube Premium Lite. Unlike the standard version, it doesn’t come with as many extra features.

The platform is experimenting with a shared Premium subscription option, similar to Spotify’s, that allows couples or flatmates to have separate premium accounts at a discounted rate compared to purchasing them individually.

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2025-05-15 20:18