YouTube Launches New Ad Controls and Enhanced Analytics

1. Poll sticker for Shorts

YouTube has introduced a new sticker feature for Shorts that allows creators to add polls directly to their content. It’s an interactive way to engage viewers and get immediate feedback or opinions from followers. Until now, polls were limited to posts or video comments. Now viewers can simply vote, increasing channel engagement.

With Shorts generating an impressive 70 billion views daily, this feature can be useful for channels looking to increase customer interaction. YouTube announced that this feature will be available to all creators within a week.

In e-commerce, polls can be a powerful tool for gathering customer feedback on product preferences, testing marketing ideas, and increasing engagement. Their integration into Shorts can significantly boost brand engagement and visibility.

2. Views Display: Format breakdown for better insights

YouTube has introduced a new filter in the analytics view. Creators will be able to see how many views each type of content generates – whether Shorts, long videos, or live streams. This feature provides greater transparency in which formats reach audiences. This is valuable feedback for adjusting content strategy.

If you’ve previously struggled with evaluating different formats, the new filter can help remove blockers in creating new video content.

Tracking which types of content bring the most views will help e-commerce marketers focus their efforts where they generate the most engagement and revenue.

3. Super Chat Goals combines gamification and monetisation

YouTube is experimenting with Super Chat goals. It’s a gamified feature aimed at increasing engagement during live streams and premieres. The new feature will allow creators to set goals for viewer contributions. Those who send contributions will receive some form of reward – thereby increasing motivation to engage. Brands using live shopping or collaborating with influencers can use Super Chat Goals to increase engagement during new product launches or sales events, leading to higher revenue and interactions.

4. Ad blocking on YouTube

YouTube now offers the option to block specific ad categories at the channel level directly in YouTube Studio. Creators will thus have control over which types of ads appear with their content. While this feature was already available through AdSense, it’s now easier to manage directly on the YouTube platform.

Creators are warned that restricting ads may affect their revenue, but this feature provides greater control over what ads are displayed.

For example, brands can ensure that ads from competing or unrelated products won’t appear alongside their content. This gives them a chance to maintain brand integrity and audience trust.

YouTube’s latest updates offer new ways to increase engagement, refine content strategies, and boost monetisation. By using the new features, brands can better connect with their audience and optimise their video marketing efforts.