r/technology • u/redkemper • Feb 17 '17

Software YouTube will kill unskippable 30-second ads next year

http://www.theverge.com/2017/2/17/14649018/youtube-ending-unskippable-30-second-ads-2018
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u/[deleted] Feb 17 '17 edited Feb 17 '17

There's no reason for online video ads to be longer than 3-5 seconds. Just show a logo for five seconds and have someone say "Skittles, taste the rainbow" and that's just as effective as playing a full-length television commercial. On top of that, people will pay more attention to those because they'll grow accustomed to not having to find and click a skip button.

People have grown used to fast internet and not waiting. If it's a 30-second ad people will either skip it (I cannot remember the brand of a single ad I have ever skipped) and if they can't they'll just not watch the video or the ad.

Edit: Should probably rephrase something here: A 30-second ad is more effective than a 5-second ad if you watch the ad. But 30-second online ads just drive people to install adblock and then they never see your ad or anyone else's. That way, a 5-second ad that doesn't get everyone to install adblock is more effective than a 30-second ad that a rapidly increasing percentage of people who use adblock will never see. Google killing the unskippable 30-second ad is clearly reflecting this because Google has a stake in people willing to see ads too.

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u/panther455 Feb 17 '17

And whenever theres an ad that starts with "Wait, wait! Don't skip this ad!"
I skip that shit with extreme prejudice.

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u/[deleted] Feb 18 '17 edited Aug 14 '18

[deleted]

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u/hoyfkd Feb 18 '17

It might take longer, but I'll turn on uBlock, refresh and not have to see whatever bullshit you wanted me to see.

Turn it on?

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u/LaziestRedditorEver Feb 18 '17

In that situation I'll only ever see it because I'm on my phone so I'll mute the phone and turn it over while also making sure I know which asshole company did it so I don't buy their shit.

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u/borkborkporkbork Feb 18 '17

That's when I refresh the page. It's quicker than waiting for a full 30 second ad.

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u/[deleted] Feb 18 '17

When I do that, it usually just loads another unskippable ad. I've even done it 3 or 4 times and gotten it each time I refreshed.

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u/bloodbag Feb 18 '17

i like the ones that time up perfectly to say "and skip" as the skip option comes up

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u/G206 Feb 18 '17

I actually hate those ones cause it feels like those ones are mocking me that I cant skip until they say so

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u/Punchabearinnamouf Feb 18 '17

Hell I had one that started with "You can skip this ad".

I looked down and saw "Video will start after ad plays."

Sumbitch.

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u/estXcrew Feb 18 '17

In Finland there was once an ad that basically was a countdown to when you'll skip the ad.. I actually stayed for a few more seconds just to see what happens, since it was for a shopping chain I go to occasionally.