YouTube Updates: AV1 Codec, Side-by-Side Ads, and Voice Replies Expansion

Transcript

YouTube Updates:

This week, we begin with the AV1 codec, now available for select live streams. While YouTube specifies high-traffic live streams, they haven’t defined what constitutes “high traffic.” You can transmit AV1 data, but whether it reaches viewers as AV1 is unclear. If you wish to switch to AV1 on your software encoder (e.g., OBS), you’re free to do so; it’s now supported.

You can send AV1 data, but it’s uncertain when viewers will receive it. To check the codec used for your stream, visit the watch page, right-click, and select “Stats for Nerds.” The codec information will be displayed there. Note the distinction between AV1 and AV01—they are not the same.

Staying with live streams, the side-by-side ads rollout is now at 100%. We also have new details about this feature. Your stream must be set to normal latency (most use shorter latency) and captions must be disabled (no auto or manual captions). The ad automator should be configured to let YouTube decide ad placement.

With these settings, your stream becomes eligible for side-by-side ads, allowing viewers to continue watching while an ad plays alongside. If you wish to try this, adjust your settings accordingly. For more on side-by-side ads, see the description below.

Next up: voice replies. They are now expanding to Android creators after a 6-month beta on iOS. However, they can only be recorded and posted via the main YouTube app—not ideal for most users, especially creators replying to fans. It’s odd that they aren’t available in YouTube Studio (mobile or desktop), given similar functionality in apps like Discord and WhatsApp.

I’m not a big fan of voice replies, but restricting them to 30 seconds is a good idea. If you love voice replies and have access on Android, share your thoughts below! Do you use them daily, or do you skip them due to the main app requirement?

Lastly, Google Lens for Shorts:

When pausing a short, you’ll see oval chips at the top, including a new “Lens” chip with the Google Lens icon. Clicking it allows you to select an area on screen, and Google Lens will provide information about it—no need to screenshot and use a separate app.

While this might not be a highly demanded feature, it’s a nice addition. However, there are more pressing issues on the platform that require attention before Google Lens. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

That’s all for this week’s YouTube updates. See you next time, and maybe we’ll manage a live stream too. Take care!