Is anyone actually watching your ads? Google wants you to know

Google has announced its plans to start telling advertisers to what extent their online video ads are being watched by consumers.

The search giant, who own YouTube, will reveal what percentage of an advertiser’s video ads were at least 50% in view and for at least two seconds in keeping with the Media Ratings Council’s standard. Advertisers will need to use Google’s DoubleClick reporting tools to view the stats.

According to reports, later this year Google also expects to start telling advertisers the average amount of time that an ad was viewable on YouTube and whether people are listening to the ad or whether it’s muted or playing in a background tab.

Bob Wootton, director of media and advertising for advertising trade body ISBA, even suggested that Google should reimburse clients for ads which are not viewable.

Neal Mohan, VP of video and display ads for Google, said that the company’s goal is to “make viewability a common currency across the industry”.

He added: “With the confidence that their ads can be seen by a real person, marketers can then go on to strive for – and measure – what really matters, impact and engagement.”