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NEW LAUNCH: The 2026 YouTube & CTV Media Agency Survey

Page-Header-Skippable

YouTube Skippable In-Stream Ads for Views or Reach

The Essentials

Skippable In-Stream YouTube Ads play before, during, or after in-stream video content, where users have the option to “skip” after the first 5 seconds of play. A ‘view’ is counted when someone watches the first :30 seconds of the ad, the full duration if shorter, OR if they interacted with an element of the ad.

Note: These can be run for either Video Views or Efficient Reach; Google TV is only available for Video Views ads.

Heart

Why Pix Loves Them

Positive viewer experience since they can choose whether or not to watch an ad.

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Limitations

Not as many completed views as non-skip ads & creative must be very compelling quickly to keep the viewer watching.

Top KPIs:

Reach (Reach ads)

Impressions (Reach ads)

Views (Views ads

View Rate (Views ads)

Brand Lift (Views ads)

Is Pixie contextual targeting available?

Yes

Ad length:

Any (most common: 15 – 30)

Runs on:

YouTube

GVP (can disable)

Google TV (can disable) (Video Views only)

Need help with YouTube’s skippable in-stream format?