YouTube is testing a new way to show ads during livestreams, and the format appears designed to keep the broadcast visible instead of replacing it entirely. In the reported test, the livestream stays on the top portion of the screen while the ad appears below, creating a split-screen layout that changes the usual full-screen interruption.
The information surfaced from a Reddit screenshot that was later highlighted by Android Authority. If the experiment expands beyond its current limited test, viewers could keep watching the live content even while an ad is playing.
A different ad experience for livestream viewers
Livestream ads have long been a source of frustration for many users, especially those on the free tier. The main complaint is not only that ads interrupt viewing, but that they can also feel increasingly difficult to skip.
There have also been reports of videos jumping to random points after an ad ends, which adds another layer of inconvenience. Against that backdrop, YouTube’s split-screen approach looks like an attempt to reduce the disruption without removing advertising altogether.
What the new layout appears to do
Based on the screenshot that circulated, the live video remains visible in the upper section of the display while the ad occupies the lower section. The setup suggests that YouTube wants to preserve the live moment even when monetization is active.
The image that drew attention is believed to come from the YouTube app on an Apple iPad. So far, the same format has not been successfully reproduced on Android, and there have not been many other reports showing it appearing widely.
That limited visibility strongly suggests the feature is still in a very early test phase. Large platforms often use this kind of restricted rollout before deciding whether to expand a new feature more broadly.
Why the change matters for live content
The shift could be especially relevant for livestreams because live broadcasts are not as forgiving as regular videos. If an ad takes over the screen, viewers may miss an important live moment that cannot simply be replayed later.
With a split-screen layout, that risk is reduced because the broadcast continues to stay in view. Compared with the older full-screen ad model, the new format would give viewers a better chance of keeping up with what is happening in real time.
Even so, the test does not appear to solve every issue. Some comments in the Reddit thread where the screenshot appeared claimed that the ad in this format could not be muted.
Possible limits that still remain
If that complaint is accurate, the viewing experience may still feel intrusive despite the more flexible layout. The livestream would remain visible, but the ad audio could continue to interrupt attention and make the experience less comfortable.
There is also an additional concern tied to the nature of livestreams themselves. Once the ad is over or becomes skippable, viewers may still need to rewind the broadcast to catch anything they missed if the ad audio covered the live sound.
The referenced source suggests that this part of the behavior may not be final. It could be a bug or an early element that slipped into testing, since separating the video from the ad while still allowing ad audio to play does not fully align with the apparent purpose of the new format.
Still only a limited test for now
At this stage, the available evidence comes from a single screenshot, which is not enough to treat the change as an official rollout. YouTube has also not been seen announcing a broader release for this format in the available reference material.
Still, the direction of the test is clear. YouTube appears to be looking for a way to make livestream ads less disruptive than the traditional full-screen approach that pauses the viewing experience more aggressively.
If refined further, the idea could benefit free users the most. They would still see ads, but they would not be completely cut off from the live broadcast they are trying to follow.
Those who want to avoid ads altogether still have YouTube Premium as an option, along with its extra features. But the service is not becoming easier to access, since the prices for all packages in the US recently increased.
That context makes a more viewer-friendly ad format particularly relevant. For many free users, even a small change in how an ad appears could have a noticeable impact on how comfortable it feels to watch a livestream on YouTube.