MonviloThe short answer: Monvilo 2.18.58 offers a repeat-placement choice to keep unflagged manual slots within the selected frequency. It does not retain every manual point: flagged points and those exceeding the target density may be removed. Standard placement preserves YouTube’s automatic slots.
The retention choice was introduced in version 2.2.0. This guide explains a normal repeat run; archive optimisation is a separate workflow.
Why “keep” does not mean “lock every point”
Imagine a video where an editor has already selected several transitions. You now want to reduce the frequency or reconsider awkward placements. Preserving the entire set unchanged would work against a lower-density target: all the extra points would remain.
The important qualification is within the selected frequency. Monvilo considers both warnings and spacing. An unflagged manual point is a candidate for retention, not a point guaranteed to survive every frequency setting.
The opening diagram illustrates that principle. It is not the output of a particular run. The final layout depends on existing placements, settings and the review result.
The three choices in the panel
When standard placement detects manual slots, version 2.18.58 offers these choices. Current releases also offer an English interface; the descriptions below explain each choice.
Keep unflagged slots within the selected frequency. Flagged manual points are removed. Other manual points are retained when they fit the selected target. New candidates may be added in long gaps for review. If the retained set is sufficient, additional points may not be needed.
Remove all manual slots and choose again. This replaces the manual layout with a new selection. Do not choose it when your goal is to preserve particular manually chosen timestamps.
Cancel. This stops the current choice before the placements are changed. Use it if you have not recorded the starting layout or decided which approach you want. It is not an undo button for an earlier completed run.
These descriptions were checked against the 2.18.58 code. A newer installed version may look different; read its version number and the choice shown in your panel.
How archive optimisation differs
Optimisation keeps existing unflagged slots at their positions and looks for suitable additions. This differs from a standard repeat run constrained by the selected frequency.
The queue’s original manual slots are recorded in history and can be restored in Studio while retaining the work history. Compare before-and-after timestamps and the save confirmation. Restoration is not a guarantee of recovery from every failure. Explore the history example.
Which placements count as automatic?
Points automatically added by YouTube are handled separately from manual ones. In a standard repeat run, Monvilo leaves them in place under either retention choice.
Do not confuse points placed through the editor by an extension with YouTube’s own automatic placements. Our guide to manual and automatic ad slots explains the distinction.
If a particular transition matters to your edit, establish which type of point it is first. Remembering that you did not personally click to add it is not enough to identify its type.
Before you start a repeat run
- Confirm the channel and video title.
- Record the existing timestamps or take a screenshot of the Studio list.
- Separately mark transitions that are important to the narrative.
- Check warnings alongside the manual points.
- Select the frequency, then read the retention choice.
A screenshot helps you compare the outcome, but it is not an automatic backup or restore feature. Do not assume every previously deleted layout can be recovered with one click.
If you only need to change a single point, consider a manual edit first. A full placement pass fits a task where you actually intend to revise the set. The Studio editor guide explains the basic controls.
Review the result in Monvilo and Studio
After the run, do not stop at the total count. Compare the positions and reasons for changes:
- Did the important transitions you noted remain?
- Which flagged manual points disappeared?
- Which points were surplus under the new frequency?
- Were new candidates added in long gaps?
- Does the saved result match the change you intended?
If an important point was not retained, do not immediately run another full pass hoping to restore it. Compare the chosen frequency and nearby placements, listen to the passage and decide whether a focused edit is appropriate. See how to choose placement frequency for that decision.
A focused change instead of an unnecessary reset
Suppose the chapter transitions suit your edit, but one manual point receives a warning. The task is to examine that point, not make the whole video denser. Record the important timestamps and review the affected passage first.
If you choose a general repeat run, keep the retention limits in mind. When specific manual points must remain unchanged, do not treat this setting as a lock on every marker. A manual correction may be easier to reason about for a small, local task.
Our ad-slot warning guide explains the feedback itself. Equally, a point without a warning should not be described as approved or guaranteed to show an ad.
A short repeat-placement checklist
Starting timestamps recorded → important transitions marked → frequency selected → retention choice understood → final layout compared.
Monvilo reduces repetitive work, but your choice between retention and replacement should match the task. The most useful preparation is knowing in advance which changes you are willing to make.
Sources and version
Product guidance updated on 19 October 2026 against the current interface and public Monvilo 2.18.58 documentation. Feature history: release 2.2.0. Slot types and platform feedback: YouTube Help. The diagram and scenario are illustrative and do not promise retention of every manual timestamp.
Product guidance updated on 19 October 2026 for Monvilo 2.18.58. Saving in Studio, YouTube feedback and long gaps are reported separately. External-source review dates are listed in the sources section.