Google removes ‘ad tax’ with new mobile video ad platform

Internet behemoth Google has launched skippable pre-roll video ads on mobile devices.

The move puts the search giant ahead of rival for online ad spend Facebook, which has struggled with monetising mobile usage.

YouTube group product manager Phil Farhi told Mumbrella: “With TrueView, content makers get better revenue, and there is less tension between the content maker and the user. Previously ads were like a tax you had to pay for watching.”

“Now the user is in control of the ads they see and there is greater accountability to advertisers who only pay for engaged views. When the advertiser engages with the user, the user becomes a very powerful advocate for the advertiser through sharing.”