Group 1 - The issue of discrepancies between the advertised and actual duration of ads on video platforms has drawn attention from consumers and regulatory authorities [1][2] - The extension of ad duration, even by a few seconds, can accumulate to significant hidden revenue for platforms, raising concerns about consumer rights and the ethical implications of such practices [1] - The practice of extending ad time without consent undermines the implicit contract between platforms and users, potentially leading to a loss of trust and a risk of regulatory penalties for platforms [1] Group 2 - Regulatory bodies are urged to establish clear guidelines on ad duration discrepancies and create accessible complaint channels for consumers [2] - Platforms are encouraged to enhance self-regulation and utilize technology to ensure accurate ad playback, respecting the time agreements with users [2] - Consumers are advised to be proactive in asserting their rights when faced with extended ad durations, contributing to a healthier and more trustworthy industry environment [2]

Core Viewpoint - The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) is addressing consumer complaints regarding discrepancies between the actual duration of advertisements on video platforms and the duration indicated, emphasizing the importance of user experience and consumer rights [1][5]. Group 1: Consumer Complaints - Consumers have reported that the actual advertisement duration on several video platforms exceeds the indicated duration by 2-3 seconds, leading to dissatisfaction among users [3]. - A user expressed frustration over being a VIP member yet still encountering ads, questioning the transparency of advertisement duration [4]. Group 2: Platform Responses - Video platforms attribute the discrepancies to technical issues such as loading and buffering times, claiming that the actual advertisement duration aligns with the material duration [4]. - Mango TV stated that the cumulative loading time for multiple video ads results in a longer total playback time than indicated [4]. Group 3: Industry Insights - The long video industry lacks a unified standard for advertisement timing, and there is a call for collaboration among platforms, industry organizations, and regulatory bodies to establish norms [4]. - The need for platforms to innovate in content and advertisement formats is highlighted to balance advertiser demands with user satisfaction [4].

Core Insights - A recent discovery by netizens revealed that a video ad labeled as 30 seconds actually played for over 50 seconds, sparking widespread discussion among users [1] Group 1: Advertising Duration Analysis - Black Cat Laboratory conducted tests on four video platforms: iQIYI, Youku, Mango TV, and Tencent Video, measuring the actual duration of ads compared to their labeled times [1] - The results showed that all platforms exhibited some degree of "over time," with the maximum exceeding 3.62 seconds and the minimum exceeding 0.40 seconds [1] - For instance, a 120-second ad on Youku was found to actually last 123 seconds, indicating a consistent trend of extended ad durations across platforms [1] Group 2: User Reactions and Company Response - Users expressed their frustrations, noting that the perception of ads feeling longer was indeed accurate due to the actual extended durations [1] - Some users speculated that the platforms might intentionally increase ad lengths, raising concerns about transparency [1] - Inquiries made to Youku regarding this issue have not yet received a response [1]

Core Viewpoint - Recent reports indicate that certain long video platforms are misleading users by extending the actual advertisement playback time beyond what is displayed, leading to a phenomenon referred to as "time theft" [1][2][4]. Group 1: Advertising Practices - Users have discovered that platforms like Youku, Mango TV, and iQIYI have discrepancies between the advertised and actual ad durations, with examples showing ads marked as 119 seconds actually playing for 123 seconds, resulting in a 4-second discrepancy [2][4]. - Mango TV acknowledged that the extended ad duration is due to the time required for loading and buffering multiple video ads, claiming that the ad duration is aligned with the actual content [5]. Group 2: Legal Implications - Legal experts suggest that the practice of misleading countdowns may constitute fraud, violating consumer rights as outlined in the Advertising Law and Consumer Rights Protection Law of China [7][8]. - The misleading nature of the countdowns infringes on consumers' right to know the true duration of advertisements, potentially leading to uninformed purchasing decisions [8]. Group 3: Industry Response and Consumer Sentiment - There is a growing sentiment among users that many platforms are engaging in similar misleading practices, with some ads showing discrepancies of around 1 second, which are often difficult for consumers to detect [5]. - Commentary from media outlets highlights that these practices not only harm user rights but also threaten the long-term credibility of video platforms in a highly competitive market [9][10].