YouTube tests auto-detect tool to serve ads against videos

One of YouTube’s latest experiments is aimed at auto-detecting products appearing in videos uploaded to the platform and then serving links so viewers can buy those products.

An earlier, very small, version of the experiment was run last year. The new trials are mentioned in one YouTube’s latest blogs, and are clearly aimed at building up affiliate business, but not via direct links to products, it seems.

The details

• Initial tests last year focused on outward links to outlets selling items seen in videos, whereas the latest trial appears to offer more videos about specific products that the YouTube algorithm will auto-detect.
• YouTube reveals the new feature will display a list of products, plus related ones, and this will appear in between recommended videos. The trial is being rolled out in the US.
• Google-owned YouTube appears to be a natural fit with a tool that allows viewers to shop without leaving the platform – huge numbers of its two billion-odd users already watch “unboxing” videos to research products. 

Top takeaway

The expectation is that the feature will work as a second recommendation algorithm, and allow YouTube to operate in much the same way as other social platforms, like Instagram and Facebook, that allow advertisers to target specific audiences, and those audiences to shop in-app. 

Sourced from Google