YouTube tests a smaller “Skip Ads” button

YouTube has confirmed that it is trialling a redesigned, smaller ‘Skip Ads’ button.

The CTA button’s new look features:

• Smaller text
• A background with reduced opacity
• A curved border
• No capital letters in the word ‘Ads

Here is a preview of the new button:

In comparison to the older version:

What has YouTube said? A spokesperson for YouTube exclusively revealed to Search Engine Land that: “We’re testing a new design to the ‘Skip Ads button’ across all platforms.” If users aren’t aware of the option to skip ads, they will be less likely to do it. This could lead to an increase in the number of views, conversions and ad spending on the platform. However, marketers should be mindful that forcing adverts on users may have a negative impact.

• Reaction.
• The Google Ads expert

shared his thoughts about the new design on X (Twitter). He wrote:“Spotted this really small ‘Skip ads’ button, seems like Google is testing this new button. The new format is smaller and has a different layout. If this gets rolled out, it will affect the view rate and the spend of the campaigns.”

Meanwhile, others also flagged the redesigned button and questioned if the platform was also simultaneously making adverts longer.Why now?Thomas Eccel The redesigned skip button was launched to help align it with the new look and feel of YouTube, while maintaining a comparable level of prominence with the current skip button. The platform announced in January 2010 that it would undergo a minor makeover to better align with the new look and feel of YouTube. Users had requested a “cleaner” UI. Read

• to learn more about its new features and design elements.