Streaming platforms want to house more rivals: Major services are aggregating subscriptions, broadening advertisers’ access to fragmented audiences.

YouTube is becoming TV. As its viewing shifts to TV screens and ad budgets blur across channels, marketers need to rethink where TV ends and digital video begins.

YouTube adds Peacock to Premium: The deal could give Peacock more scale and make NBCU's premium ad inventory more attractive to marketers.

YouTube’s ad business stays resilient: Revenues may cool as video budgets fragment, but strong marketer and user demand keep it ahead in creator content.

Consumers embrace ad-supported TV: Price outweighs avoiding ads in perceived value, giving marketers more engaged audiences on free streaming platforms.

YouTube’s long-form game: As videos more than 20 minutes long increase, algorithms and additional ad slots boost long-form appeal.

YouTube scales up AI integrations: Conversational search and Gemini tools demand tighter transcripts, metadata, and thorough testing.

YouTube revamps its fight against ad blockers; mobile ad blocker usage is on the rise, opening a new front in the platform's struggle.

This FAQ examines what's verifiable about ad blocking today and what marketers should watch in 2026.

Digital audio commands massive attention, and podcasts keep most listeners within reach. As viewing blurs with listening, marketers face an opportunity—but also a widening gap between consumer time spent and the ad investment flowing into audio.

Google parent Alphabet reported strong Q3 earnings on Wednesday, with revenues growing 16% YoY to $102.35 billion, while Google Search & other, YouTube Ads, and Google subscriptions, platforms, and devices all saw double-digit growth. But Google simultaneously experienced a notable loss in an ongoing antitrust case that could carry implications for the future of search advertising. Google will remain a cornerstone of successful ad strategies, at least in the short-term.

YouTube expands Premium Lite to more countries: The lower-cost tier aims to attract price-sensitive users without hurting ad revenues.

Shorts now dominate prime screen space on connected TVs, signaling YouTube’s bid to normalize mobile-first formats in the living room—whether users like it or not.

YouTube tests new AI features: The updates, including video carousels in search results and AI video summaries, promise innovation but require adaptation.

YouTube nears top spot in media revenue: The video giant is expected to overtake Disney (excluding parks), leading the global media industry.

YouTube to auto-send “yellow icon” videos for manual review: The change aims to improve overall ad suitability.

YouTube strives to make ads less disruptive: The platform is changing its approach to mid-roll ads to appease viewers, creators, and brands alike.

This year, streaming services will finally earn more than traditional TV in subscription revenues.

High audio listenership and time spent this year means limited growth. Subscription revenues will be healthy, as most listeners pay to limit ads. And Spotify will lead in nearly every metric, though several platforms are doing well.

YouTube pause ads grow with smart TV rollout: As YouTube explores passive ad formats, it must balance ad revenue with audience satisfaction amid mixed reactions from users.