YouTube cracks down on annoying mid-roll ads – Here’s how it benefits creators

YouTube is revamping its mid-roll ad placement strategy to create a less disruptive viewing experience while potentially boosting earnings for creators. The platform will implement these changes starting May 12, 2025, shifting ad placements to natural breakpoints in videos rather than jarring interruptions mid-sentence or mid-action.

According to YouTube, this shift is designed to reduce mid-roll ads in interruptive slots, such as those cutting off dialogue, and instead place them at pauses or scene transitions. “We believe showing fewer interruptive ads will result in more views and increase overall revenue opportunity for creators,” Google said in a blog post announcing the update.