YouTube has introduced several new features and updates to enhance user engagement and content management:

Poll Stickers for Shorts

YouTube has added a poll sticker option for Shorts, allowing creators to engage their audience by asking for their opinions directly within the Shorts content. This feature will display the percentage and total count of votes for each option, providing a new way to interact with viewers and potentially increase reach. The poll stickers will be available to all creators within a week.

Updated "Views" Display

A new format filter has been added to the "Views" display, enabling creators to see the breakdown of views by content type. This update is crucial given the rise of Shorts, which now drive 70 billion daily views. The updated view will be accessible on both desktop and mobile apps, helping creators focus their efforts on the most popular content formats.

Super Chat Goals

YouTube is experimenting with Super Chat goals for live streams and Premieres, which gamify the revenue generation process. An on-screen display will count down to a target, including a reward chosen by the creator for reaching that goal. This feature aims to drive more engagement and revenue, despite potentially feeling forced. It will initially be available to a selected group of live creators with Super Chat enabled.

Ad Category Blocking

YouTube is adding the ability to block specific categories of ads at the channel level, a feature previously available only via AdSense. This control will be accessible through YouTube Studio on desktop for creators with watch page monetization enabled. While restricting ads may impact revenue, it offers more control over the types of promotions that appear alongside content.

These updates provide new tools and controls for creators, with varying benefits for brand marketers using the platform.