In what sounds like a contrarian action, YouTube is allowing viewers to skip pre-roll ads on mobile videos after 5 seconds and doesn’t make it to the end of the ad. If the user does that the advertiser doesn’t pay.

This seems contrarian because most would say that no matter how the ad is served or for how long there is value to the advertiser so they should pay. Nice thought but YouTube gets that the user experience trumps that and will ultimately help them make even more money from advertisers.

According to AdAge

YouTube is bringing its skippable video ads to mobile phones and tablets, hoping to build on the success the company says the ads have found with PCs.

Whenever online video is discussed in business the question always arises about the level of professionalism required to make the video effective. Some say in the business world it should be professionally produced while others feel that a certain amateurish touch lends more personality to the video.

Regardless of your stance, the folks at YouTube are interested in helping people move away from the complete amateur production by introducing their first Creator Space in London. Take a look at the video of the new offering.

More than a third of all news video on YouTube was filmmed by a bystander, says Pew Research. Not surprising, given that a good portion of the world population is walking around with a camera in their pocket every time they go outside.

Homemade news footage is compelling because it personalizes the story. When you watch a riot happening just yards in front of the lens, or shaky footage of a major earthquake as it knocks the camera man off his feet, it’s more real. It’s more human and that’s why people are rushing to YouTube for their daily look at what’s happening in the world.

In June, Netflix customers sat down to more than 1 billion hours of TV, movie and clip viewing on the former-mail-order-only service.

The announcement came via Chief Executive Officer Reed Hastings’ Facebook page. Which seems odd to me, but then Hastings’ track record in regard to public speaking hasn’t been the best.

Netflix’s milestone is significant for several reasons.

1. It proves you can come back from the brink.

A little more than a year ago, Netflix was in deep trouble with subscribers not only jumping ship, they were actively campaigning to take their friends with them. Reed Hastings spoke too soon about anticipated changes to the system and then his quick turnaround on the subject made things worse. Now, here they are breaking records for viewership. Just shows you what you can get away with when you’re the best game in town.

You probably can’t afford to hire Kim Kardashian to hawk your jewelry line on YouTube but you might be able to afford a young YouTube fashion star who has a following all her own. To help you find her, YouTube is launching the Video Creation Marketplace, a platform designed to connect talent with brands of every size.

YouTube’s Baljeet Singh, told AdAge that there are already thousands of videographers making a living off their work. Many of them have already signed on to promote a brand but there are plenty more who are anxious to gain sponsorship.

The Video Creation Marketplace will feature profile pages showing a YouTubbers interests, their demographics, keywords and stats. Potential partners can peruse the list then make an offer and YouTube will stay out of it. They’re not getting involved in negotiations, they’re simply providing the platform.