YouTube Launches AI Feature To Place Ads When Users Are Most Engaged

YouTube announced on Wednesday a new product called Peak Point, designed to identify meaningful moments in videos for ad placement. Powered by Google’s AI model Gemini, the tool will allow advertisers to display ads when users are most engaged.

The feature was introduced at Brandcast, an event celebrating YouTube’s 20th birthday in New York, along with several other announcements about changes to the platform.

“We also announced Peak Points, built with Google AI. This all-new product uses Gemini to identify the most meaningful or ‘peak’ moments within YouTube’s popular content, placing your brand where audiences are the most engaged,” states the event summary.

According to CNBC, the new AI feature analyzes transcripts, frames, and other elements in a video to identify critical moments and periods of high viewer attention for ad placement. Developers expect Peak Point to deliver more clicks and conversions for advertisers’ promotional videos.

A few users and experts have already shared thoughts on the feature. “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,” wrote TechCrunch.

YouTube is introducing “Peak Points,” a new ad format that uses AI to find the most engaging or emotional moments in videos and places ads immediately after them. The aim is to catch viewers’ attention when they are most invested, benefiting advertisers. However, this approach… pic.twitter.com/302uUNUcXU

— Marius Fanu (@mariusfanu) May 15, 2025

Users on Reddit said they have already noticed this feature, and many find it annoying. “YouTube has been doing this already for months if not years,” wrote one Redditor. “It’s already on the brink of being unwatchable,” added another.

YouTube also introduced another advertising feature called Shoppable CTV, which allows users to browse and buy products in a video from the TV.

AI has been playing an important role in the video platform. A few months ago, YouTube invited content creators to opt into their AI training program.