In short
The ad breaks editor opens from a specific video’s Monetization section, and only when ads are on for that video and mid-roll is ticked. If the button is missing, check: is monetization available to the channel, is the video 8 minutes or longer, has processing finished, and are you using Studio in a desktop browser.
Where the editor is#
In the browser version of Studio the path is:
- Content → open the video.
- In the video menu, Monetization.
- Turn ads on and tick mid-roll.
- A button to manage ad slots appears under that option.
Menu names change from time to time, but the logic stays the same: the slot editor is part of the video’s monetization settings. Full walkthrough: how to place ads in YouTube Studio.
YouTube Studio
Ads & YouTube PremiumOn
Show mid-roll ads during my video
Manage ad slots
Six reasons the button is missing#
1. The channel is not in the Partner Program
A video’s ad settings are available only if the channel is in the YouTube Partner Program with ad revenue turned on. If the video details have no Monetization section at all, start here.
2. The video is under 8 minutes
Slots inside a video are available only from 8 minutes. A short video has no mid-roll option, and therefore no editor button.
3. Mid-roll is not ticked
The most common reason. Ads are on for the video, but the mid-roll box is unchecked. The editor button appears only once you tick it.
4. The video is still processing
Right after upload, a video goes through processing. Until it finishes, some monetization settings may be unavailable. Wait and refresh the page.
5. You are in the mobile app
The YouTube Studio phone app handles many settings, but placing slots is easier in the browser on a computer. If you do not see the editor in the app, open the video in a browser.
6. Restrictions on the video
If the video has a copyright claim or ad restrictions, some ad settings may be unavailable or pointless. Check the monetization icon and the Restrictions column on the Content page. More on icons in slot feedback vs the yellow icon.
The button is there, but slots do not save#
That is a different problem. The slot editor saves separately: after edits, click Continue and then Save on the video details page. If the slots are saved but ads still do not show, go through the step-by-step check.
What Monvilo adds to the editor#
When the editor is open, the Monvilo panel appears next to it. Choose a frequency and run the analysis: the extension finds speech pauses in the video’s audio, places slots, saves them and waits for YouTube’s evaluation.
If the editor is unavailable for one of the reasons above, the panel cannot place slots either: Monvilo works inside Studio’s standard editor and does not bypass YouTube’s rules.
Frequently asked questions#
Why do some videos have the button and others do not?
Usually it is the video length, or mid-roll is not ticked for that particular video. Monetization settings are set per video.
Can I place slots before publishing?
Yes, if the video has finished processing and monetization is available for it. It is handy: go through the pre-publish checklist first.
The button disappeared after I edited the video. What happened?
If the edit made the video shorter than 8 minutes, mid-rolls are no longer available. Otherwise, check whether the mid-roll box was reset.
Sources#
Checked October 25, 2026: mid-roll ads in long videos, YouTube Partner Program, monetization icons. Panel screenshot: Monvilo 2.22.2 on a demo video. Menu names may differ in your version of Studio.