YouTube Is Rolling Out a New Smaller Skip Ad Button in Some Regions

Highlights

• YouTube introduces a smaller, pill-shaped skip ad button on its platform.
• The new skip ad button design is two-thirds the size of the original.
• User responses vary to YouTube’s latest ad experience adjustment.
• YouTube Premium remains an ad-free alternative for viewers.

YouTube, in its ongoing efforts to balance user experience with ad revenue generation, has introduced a smaller skip ad button across various platforms.

So now it looks like skipping ads, a tedious job before this update, is going to get even more cumbersome.

Ad Revenue and User Experience on YouTube

Understandably, ad revenue is crucial for YouTube, supporting both the platform’s operational costs and the earnings of content creators.

In August, YouTube began testing a smaller, pill-shaped skip ad button, replacing the traditional rectangular one.

This new design is approximately two-thirds the size of the original and has been rolled out on multiple devices in different regions.

It has been reported that this new skip ad button maintains consistency across web and mobile platforms, though it differs from the initial test design.

What’s interesting (or perhaps frustrating) is that the original test version featured a more transparent pill shape with the text ‘Skip ads’ in lowercase.

The current version, however, is nearly opaque and simply displays ‘Skip’.

How Are Users Responding

Throughout 2023, YouTube experimented with different ad formats, including unskippable ads and combinations of skippable and non-skippable ads.

While YouTube has abandoned some of its more intrusive ad experiments due to user backlash, the introduction of the smaller skip ad button has been a more subtle change.

Long-time YouTube viewers are sure to quickly notice this difference but it is likely they won’t be too happy about it.

But if you don’t want ads entirely, YouTube does provide an alternative through its YouTube Premium service, offering an ad-free experience for a subscription fee.

FAQs

Q1: What change has YouTube made to the skip ad button?

A1: YouTube has rolled out a new, smaller skip ad button, changing from a rectangular shape to a pill-shaped design. This new button is about two-thirds the size of the previous one and is consistent across web and mobile platforms.

Q2: Why did YouTube redesign the skip ad button?

A2: YouTube’s redesign of the skip ad button is part of its effort to balance ad revenue generation with user experience. The smaller button is a subtle change aimed at optimizing the platform’s advertising strategy.

Q3: How have users responded to the new skip ad button on YouTube?

A3: User responses to YouTube’s new skip ad button are mixed. While some long-time viewers have quickly noticed and may be frustrated by the change, others might not find it significant. YouTube continues to refine its ad formats based on user feedback.

Q4: What alternatives does YouTube offer for an ad-free experience?

A4: For users who prefer an ad-free experience, YouTube offers its Premium service. YouTube Premium provides an uninterrupted viewing experience without ads, for a subscription fee.

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