YouTube has introduced a set of updates to its livstreaming platform at the Made On YouTube event. The changes include side-by-side ads, dual-format streaming in both horizontal and vertical layouts, AI-powered Shorts generated from livestreams and new tools for creator interactivity and membership management.
Key updates
One of the main changes is side-by-side ads, which play next to a livestream instead of interrupting it. The ad takes up half the screen while the stream continues in a smaller window.
Another feature is simultaneous horizontal and vertical streaming, which gives creators the ability to reach mobile and desktop audiences in one session with a unified chat.
Interactive options are also expanding. A react-live tool enables creators to comment in real-time on other live content or events. In addition, an AI feature will automatically identify highlight moments and create Shorts, making it easier to share clips from live broadcasts.
Furthermore, creators can now switch a stream from public to members-only partway through a broadcast. A new practice mode allows testing equipment and setup without going live to viewers.
Side-by-side ads are part of YouTube’s effort to help creators increase revenue while limiting interruptions. The platform says the broader set of tools will make livestreams easier to discover and share across formats.
YouTube reports that more than 30 percent of daily logged-in users watched live content in the second quarter of 2025. The full rollout timeline has not yet been announced, and creators are waiting for details on how the new features will be introduced across different regions.
Feature image: YouTube