YouTube launches ad-free embeddable player for educational content

YouTube is introducing new products that will streamline learners' experience on the platform and enable creators to provide structured learning content.

A recent study found that 93% of viewers report using YouTube to gather information, building on this common viewer inclination, YouTube has announced updates to make educational content more accessible and interactive for learners while helping learning creators grow on YouTube.

To improve the YouTube experience in educational environments, YouTube Player for Education has been launched. It's a new YouTube embedded player that shows content on commonly used education apps without distractions like ads, external links, or recommendations.

It has been initiated with a partnership with edtech companies in the US including EDpuzzle, Purdue University, and Purdue Global. YouTube Player for Education will also improve upon the existing YouTube embedded player in Google Classroom for a better experience.

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Next year, qualified creators can begin offering free or paid Courses to provide in-depth, structured learning experiences for viewers. Viewers who choose to buy a Course can watch the video ad-free and play it in the background. Courses will arrive first in the United States and South Korea in beta before expanding to more countries.

To help learners apply what they’ve learned, YouTube is introducing Quizzes — a new way for creators to help viewers test their knowledge. For example, a math creator who recently posted a series on algebra can create a Quiz on the Community tab to ask their viewers a question related to a concept taught in their latest video. Quizzes will roll out in beta over the coming months, with all creators who have the Community tab gaining access to Quizzes next year.

YouTube states the development is a part of their goal to make learning easier on the platform for everyone in the community, whether that be creators, students in classrooms, or learners around the world.