Imagine you’re watching a highly anticipated video from your favorite YouTube creator — perhaps the moment a famous couple finally gets engaged — when an ad pops up immediately after the clip. This is part of YouTube’s new ad format called “Peak Points.”
The company revealed the new ad format during its Upfront presentation on Wednesday in New York.
Peak Points leverages Google’s Gemini AI to analyze YouTube videos and identify moments it believes have the highest viewer engagement or are most emotionally impactful, and then suggests placing the ad right after it.
Point Peaks aims to benefit advertisers by using a tactic that aims to grab users’ attention right when they’re most invested in the content. This approach appears to be similar to a strategy called emotion-based targeting, where advertisers place ads that align with the emotions evoked by the video. It’s believed that when viewers experience heightened emotional states, it leads to better recall of the ads.
However, viewers may find these interruptions frustrating, especially when they’re deeply engaged in the emotional arc of a video and want the ad to be over quickly to resume watching.
In related news, YouTube announced another ad format that may be more appealing to users. The platform debuted a shoppable product feed where users can browse and purchase items during an ad.
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YouTube made its pitch to advertisers on Wednesday, accompanied by a flashy performance from Lady Gaga and special appearances from popular YouTubers like Brittany Broski and MrBeast.
During its Upfront presentation, YouTube executives introduced new ad formats coming to the platform, including an enhanced shoppable connected TV (CTV) offering that includes a new interactive product feed.
The move is strategic for YouTube, as it recognizes that viewers often watch videos on the big screen while also using their phones to scroll through social media or shop online.
The new shoppable format allows advertisers to display products on the right side of the TV screen during ads. The interactive feed acts as a storefront for brands where viewers can easily browse multiple products using their remotes. When a viewer selects an item, they’re prompted to scan a QR code with their smartphone to get a direct link for purchase.
Additionally, there’s a button for viewers to press and hold, allowing them to send the link to their phones to shop for all the products at once.
YouTube has become a dominant force in TV viewing. Nielsen reported that it has been the top platform for streaming watch time in the U.S. for over two years, surpassing streaming giants Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video. In the first quarter of 2025, TVs were the primary device for YouTube viewing in the U.S., according to internal data from the company.
Notably, the company pointed to a Kantar survey, indicating that U.S. participants ranked YouTube as the No. 1 platform for seeking out information about brands. The company also said YouTube campaigns on CTV generated over 50 million monthly average conversions in the fourth quarter.
Shoppable ads have gained traction among streaming services and advertisers in recent years. Just this week, Amazon announced a new interactive shoppable ad format on Prime Video that highlights Amazon deals, user reviews, and Prime shipping details.
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