Google, which owns YouTube, has made changes to the ad targeting system that will affect Russian users and Russian-speaking content creators. According to the updated rules, advertisements will no longer be shown to viewers from Russia, even if they use a VPN with a foreign IP address.
In a letter sent to channel owners, YouTube explained that the algorithm update is aimed at preventing ads from being shown to the wrong audience. Previously, foreign advertisers complained that their campaigns were being shown to viewers of Russian-language content, despite the selected geographical restrictions.
In its address, YouTube warned authors about possible changes in income:
Some YouTube advertisers have recently expressed concern that they have noticed a significant increase in ad impressions in Russian-language content, even though this was not targeted. As YouTube strives to ensure that advertising campaigns reach their target audience, we have recently updated our ad targeting system to better ensure that ads are shown to the target audience in specific regions selected by advertisers. This adjustment may sometimes lead to fluctuations in income for some channels.
For viewers, this means a reduction in the amount of advertising, but for authors, it means a potential decrease in income from foreign advertisers.
Since 2022, YouTube has officially stopped monetization for Russian content creators on the platform, but viewers using VPN still saw ads, as the platform identified them as a foreign audience. This led to an unexpected increase in income for some Russian-speaking bloggers. However, now, with the system update, even with access via VPN, advertising in Russian-language videos will not be displayed.
Read more on the topic:
New way to "hijack" accounts in Telegram: scammers use "Suggested Publications"
"Like before": Alfa-Bank has released a new mobile banking application for iPhone
Banks are increasingly blocking the cards of Russians: an expert gave advice on how to avoid this
