YouTube Ads
YouTube ads planned around what the viewer does next
YouTube advertising runs video ads before, during and beside YouTube videos and in Shorts, bought and managed through Google Ads. It is best at putting your business in front of people before they search, and at reminding past visitors who you are. We plan YouTube campaigns around a measurable next step, such as a branded search, a site visit or a conversion, rather than around views.
In short
- Bought and tracked in Google Ads
- Judged on searches and conversions
- Short, hook-first creative
Not sure where to start? We review your account, tracking and landing pages first, in writing.
What YouTube is good for
Explaining something new
Products people do not yet know to search for need showing, not describing. Video does it in seconds.
Growing branded search
People who see a video ad often search for the brand later. Branded search volume is one of the clearest signs a video campaign is working.
Remarketing
Video to past visitors and customers is often cheaper than display and more memorable.
Driving conversions
Demand Gen and video campaigns with a conversion goal can drive leads and sales directly when the offer is clear.
Formats we use
Skippable in-stream ads play before or during videos and can be skipped after five seconds, so the first five seconds carry the whole message. In-feed ads appear in search results and recommendations. Shorts ads run between Shorts in a vertical format. Bumper ads are six seconds and cannot be skipped, useful for repetition rather than explanation. Demand Gen campaigns combine YouTube with Discover and Gmail placements.
Creative that works on YouTube
- Show the product or the problem in the first two seconds, before anyone reaches for the skip button.
- Say the brand name early and put it on screen; many viewers watch without sound.
- Make one point. A 15 to 30 second ad that explains one benefit beats a two-minute brand film for most budgets.
- End with one clear action and a reason to take it now.
- Produce vertical versions for Shorts rather than cropping a widescreen ad.
How we measure it
Views and view rate tell you whether people watched. We judge YouTube on what happened after: branded search volume, visits from viewers, view-through and click-through conversions, and the effect on search campaign performance in the same period. If none of those move, the campaign is not working, however many views it has.
Related
Where this connects
Google Ads management
Search, Performance Max, Display and YouTube, built around the searches that buy.
Remarketing and retargeting
Bringing back the visitors who almost bought, without following them round the internet.
Meta Ads (Facebook and Instagram)
Prospecting, retargeting and creative testing on Facebook and Instagram.
PPC management
Search, shopping, social and display run as one plan, judged on cost per lead and revenue.
Questions people ask us
Do I need an expensive video to advertise on YouTube?
No. Clear, simple videos shot on a good phone or built from images and text often outperform polished brand films, because they get to the point. The first five seconds matter more than the production budget.
How do I know if YouTube ads are working?
Look at what changes after people watch: searches for your brand, direct visits, and conversions from viewers. Views alone do not show whether the money was well spent.
Can YouTube ads drive leads directly?
Yes, with a conversion-focused campaign and a clear offer. They usually cost more per lead than search, but they reach people search cannot.
Where are YouTube ads managed?
Inside Google Ads, alongside your search and Performance Max campaigns, so budgets and conversions are reported in one place.
Stop guessing. Start scaling.
Find out where your paid advertising is losing money and where the next profitable campaign is hiding. The audit is free and you keep it whatever you decide.