YouTube tests image ads during horizontal mobile playback

YouTube appears to be testing a new mobile ad format that displays static image ads during horizontal video playback, potentially creating an additional inventory option for advertisers without fully interrupting the viewing experience.

If rolled out more broadly, the format could increase ad frequency while changing how users consume long-form content on mobile.

What’s happening. The experiment overlays a sponsored image ad on part of the screen while a video continues playing in landscape mode. Unlike traditional pre-roll or mid-roll video ads, the image doesn’t pause or replace the content being watched.

According to early observations, these image ads appear roughly every three minutes during playback, making them more frequent than YouTube’s standard video ad breaks.

Google has not confirmed whether the feature is part of a limited test or planned for a wider rollout.

Why we care. For advertisers, the format could introduce another way to reach viewers without requiring video creative. For users, however, more frequent on-screen ads could change the viewing experience, even if the content itself isn’t interrupted.

The bigger picture. YouTube continues experimenting with new ad placements as it looks to expand monetisation opportunities across devices and formats. Rather than relying solely on traditional video ads, the platform is increasingly testing formats that integrate advertising more seamlessly into the viewing experience.

Bottom line. YouTube is testing image ads during horizontal mobile playback, a new format that could expand ad inventory while reshaping how advertising appears alongside video content.

First spotted. This update was spotted by PPC News Feed founder Hana Kobzova.