Twitter gives video ads a subtle lift, puts livestreams atop the timeline

Twitter is making it easier for users to find live broadcasts from the accounts they follow, while at the same time giving advertisers running in-stream video ad campaigns prime real estate by pushing video content to a prominent position on the app.

Announced via a Tweet (September 15, 2018), the company said it would be putting livestreams from followed accounts atop a user’s timeline.

We’re making it easier to find and watch live broadcasts. Now, when accounts you follow go live, the stream will appear right at the top of your timeline.

Catch breaking news, your favorite personalities, and can’t-miss sports moments. Rolling out now on iOS and Android. pic.twitter.com/gka2NDHGDX

— Twitter (@Twitter) September 13, 2018

Twitter opened up in-stream video ads to video clips and livestream content in April 2017. Initially, the company offered the ads only to advertisers that had been white-listed via Twitter’s Amplify platform. The in-stream video ads ran in video content from Amplify’s publishing partners, a list that included major sports networks, TV networks and news and publishing outlets.

In June of this year, Twitter made in-stream video ads available to all advertisers by making the ad unit available to purchase within its self-serve ad tool.

At the time, Twitter referenced a Nielsen Brand Effect report that showed Twitter users exposed to in-stream video ads were 70 percent more likely to recall a brand’s ad and 28 percent more likely to be aware of the brand compared to users who did not see the in-stream ad. The data also revealed a six percent higher purchase intent for users who had viewed in-stream video ads.

Twitter’s primary focus these recent months have been the overall health of its platform and election integrity — but video is definitely more than a blip on its radar. Earlier this year, the company reported video advertising accounted for more than half of its Q1 ad revenue. Of the $575 million it earned from advertising, $288 million was attributed to video ads.

About The Author

Amy Gesenhues

Amy Gesenhues is Third Door Media’s General Assignment Reporter, covering the latest news and updates for Marketing Land and Search Engine Land. From 2009 to 2012, she was an award-winning syndicated columnist for a number of daily newspapers from New York to Texas. With more than ten years of marketing management experience, she has contributed to a variety of traditional and online publications, including MarketingProfs.com, SoftwareCEO.com, and Sales and Marketing Management Magazine. Read more of Amy’s articles.