YouTube announced several new features this week, including side-by-side ads for live streams, an expansion of voice replies for creators, and the integration of Google Lens functionality into YouTube Shorts.
Side-by-Side Ads Launch for Live Streams
YouTube launched side-by-side ads for automated live mid rolls viewed on living room and web platforms. This new ad format allows creators to earn ad revenue while minimizing disruption to their live streams.
During a side-by-side ad, the advertisement runs alongside the live stream within the video player. The stream's audio becomes muted while the ad audio plays, and the video player expands back to full size when the ad break ends or the ad is skipped. The stream's audio is then restored to normal.
The feature is designed to balance monetization opportunities for creators with viewer experience during live content.
Voice Replies Feature Expands to More Creators
YouTube expanded its voice replies experiment to include a small number of Android creators. The feature, which was initially tested earlier this year, enables creators to respond to comments using voice recordings.
Creators can access the feature by navigating to one of their videos via the YouTube app, finding a comment to respond to, tapping reply, then selecting the Soundwave icon to record their response. Voice replies can only be left by creators on their own channels via the main app, but all viewers and creators can engage with these voice comments.
The maximum duration for a voice reply is 30 seconds, and creators can listen to and re-record their responses before posting. YouTube stated that the experiment aims to enable more meaningful relationships between creators and their audiences.
Google Lens Integration Comes to YouTube Shorts
YouTube introduced a new beta feature bringing Google Lens functionality to YouTube Shorts. The rollout began this week for all viewers on the mobile app.
Viewers can use Lens to search for objects, locations, or items they see while watching a short. For example, if a short features a landmark or location of interest, viewers can select it to identify and learn more about the destination's culture and history.
To use the feature, viewers need to pause a short by tapping the screen, select Lens in the top menu, and then draw, highlight, or tap anything they want to search. Google Lens provides visual matches and search results overlaid on the short, allowing users to easily return to the content afterward.
The Lens experience is not available for shorts with YouTube Shopping affiliate links or paid product promotions. Tagging a product via YouTube Shopping will disable the Lens search functionality.
YouTube indicated that these features represent ongoing efforts to enhance creator monetization tools and improve viewer engagement across the platform.
