With over 2.5 billion active users, YouTube is one of the most popular social networking websites in the world. While people all over the world rely on the video-sharing platform for entertainment, and even for work, it comes with its own problems.
Earlier this week, an innocuous nine-word tweet about the platform’s frequent ad breaks went viral.
On Wednesday, a user using the username “@wydccalamity” tweeted: “YouTube has THREE ads before a video is crazy.” This tweet went viral as it resonated with YouTubers all over the world and soon got more than 3 lakh likes and more than 23,000 retweets.
Youtube having THREE ads before a video is crazy
— 𝐚-𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐧 (@wydccalamity) June 22, 2022
YouTube, which makes most of its revenue from ads, responded to the criticism, commenting, “Hey, this can happen with a certain type of ad format called bumper ads (since they’re very short, only up to 6 seconds). .but we appreciate your honest feedback and will be sure to share it with the appropriate team!”
Hello! This can happen with a certain type of ad format called bumper ads (because they are very short, only up to 6 seconds). but we appreciate your honest feedback and we’ll be sure to share it with the appropriate team!
— TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) June 23, 2022
However, this response failed to impress netizens, who pointed out that many non-skippable back-to-back ads have a longer duration. Echoing this argument, one Twitter user responded: “Totally untrue…their bumper ads are 25 seconds long…in some cases…35 seconds…don’t lie here saying your bumper ads are only 6 seconds.”
totally false…their bumper ads are 25 seconds long…in some cases…35 seconds…don’t lie here saying their bumper ads are only 6 seconds long
— Mayank (@mayankwa786) June 23, 2022
While you’re at it, can you stop running condom ads, which are unskippable and age-inappropriate? Watching them while they wait for the baby shark to play is ‘hard’
— Ram Naresh (@RamNareshAK) June 23, 2022
That doesn’t even matter. He didn’t jump into this “ad format” for the convenience of the client, he did it so he could make a ton more money from 3 completely separate companies in the same 30 second timeslot. Don’t lie, we see right through you. Admit it and we’ll consider it.
— 🧡🤍💗💐 (@Ivrboyhwa) June 23, 2022
Hey, is it just me, but your ads seem to be 2 volumes louder than the video? I always get earplugs and while 3 ads is annoying enough, did you have to bust my ears with those too?
— kk disco (slebew) (@xiaolongbao___o) June 23, 2022
You guys just have to give up and buy YouTube Premium. It makes reviewing YouTube videos along with listening to videos and music much easier. I was hesitant for a long time to get it, but my whole experience has improved considerably afterwards.
— StageCraftBeast / Zach (@StageCraftBeast) June 23, 2022
They should do 10 if they want, I’m not going to be premium yet. 😌
— A.Kalabari.Queen (@oprite) June 24, 2022
I’m not paying for the ad-free yet. I’ll be here complaining when they go to 8 ads before a clip 😂😂
– Antonella212 (Instagram) (@NYorNothing) June 22, 2022
People also raised the issue of age-appropriate ads, responding to YouTube, “While you’re at it, can you stop running condom ads, which are unskippable and age-appropriate? Watching them while they wait for the baby shark to play is ‘difficult.’”
Source: indianexpress.com