YouTube Now Officially Allow Advertisers To Display Ads While Videos Are Paused

If you thought YouTube would stop at the double unskippable ads think again, with advertisers now being able to serve you ads while your videos are paused.

YouTube confirmed Thursday that it has “widely rolled out Pause ads to all advertisers.”

“This is seamless for viewers and allows them to learn more about a brand. It’s been a beneficial update for the entire YouTube ecosystem and one of the elements of the modern CTV ads experience,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement.

Users will now see an ad will pop up on the side of the screen, in what has been dubbed a “less interruptive” viewing experience for viewers.

YouTube first started looking at using ads on pause screens in 2023 with select advertisers. Google’s chief business officer Phillip Schindler announced last April that advertisers loved the new ad concept. 

It should also be noted that standard ads might not necessarily appear less just because you’ve got a chance of seeing them while your video is paused.