YouTube is going to use Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) model to detect the most attractive segments of videos for advertising placements. YouTube has made this announcement on 14 May during annual Broadcast event, commemorating two decades since its inception. The event also revealed a set of updates aimed at advertisers, expected to boost ad viewership.
Google’s Gemini AI model ‘Peak Points,’ is specifically designed to identify emotionally resonant or high-interest moments within trending or widely viewed content. By analyzing viewer engagement patterns—such as spikes in watch time, likes, comments, or replayed segments—the tool enables advertisers to strategically place their ads at points where audience attention is most concentrated. According to a recent statement by YouTube, this innovation is intended to help brands maximize the impact of their ad campaigns by aligning messaging with the most compelling parts of the content.
The event also highlighted a range of new advertising innovations, underlining YouTube’s ongoing commitment to enhancing brand engagement and viewer experience. Among the key announcements were expanded cultural sponsorship opportunities, allowing advertisers to align with major cultural moments, creators, and events across diverse communities. Additionally, YouTube introduced new ad formats tailored for connected TV (CTV), aimed at optimizing viewer interaction and advertiser reach on larger screens. In a significant move blending sports and digital media, YouTube revealed that it would exclusively host the NFL’s Friday night game in Brazil during Kickoff Weekend. The game will be available to viewers around the world without any additional fees or subscription requirements—marking a major step in YouTube’s push to bring premium live sports content to a global audience.
