Part 2: Campaign Setup & Types to Boost YouTube Views 2025
Discover the best campaign types and setup tips in Google Ads to maximize your YouTube views in 2025. Get your ads running right!
Campaign Setup & Types
• How to run YouTube ads through Google Ads?
Running YouTube ads via Google Ads is a powerful way to promote your videos, channel, or business. Here is a simple, step-by-step process to get started:
1. Create or Sign In to Your Google Ads Account
• Go to Google Ads and sign in with your Google account.
• If you do not have an account, create one and link it to your YouTube channel.
2. Upload Your Video to YouTube
• Upload the video you want to promote on your YouTube channel.
• Copy the video URL — you will need it to create your ad.
3. Start a New Campaign
• In Google Ads, click ‘New Campaign’.
• Choose your campaign goal:
Or create a campaign without a goal.
4. Select Campaign Type: Video
• Choose Video as the campaign type.
• Pick a subtype, e.g., Custom video campaign, Skippable in-stream ads, or Bumper ads.
5. Set Your Budget and Bidding Strategy
• Define your daily or total campaign budget.
• Choose your bidding method (CPV, CPM, or CPA).
6. Target Your Audience
• Select the demographics: age, gender, location, language.
• Choose detailed targeting options:
Placements (specific YouTube channels, videos, or websites)
7. Create Your Video Ad
• Paste your YouTube video URL.
• Add a compelling headline and call-to-action (CTA).
• Upload or select a thumbnail image.
8. Review and Launch
• Double-check all settings and targeting.
• Click ‘Create Campaign’ to launch your YouTube ads.
9. Monitor and Optimize
• Use Google Ads analytics to track performance.
• Adjust targeting, bids, or creatives based on results.
Tips for Success
• Use engaging video content with a clear message.
• Test different ad formats and targeting groups.
• Keep an eye on your cost per view and adjust your budget accordingly.
• What are different YouTube ad formats in Google Ads?
Google Ads offers various YouTube ad formats to help you reach your audience in the most effective way. Each format has its unique placement, length, and billing model. Here are the main types:
1. Skippable In-Stream Ads
• Play: Before, during, or after other YouTube videos.
• Length: Usually 12 seconds to 6 minutes.
• Viewer option: Viewers can skip after 5 seconds.
• Billing: Pay only when viewers watch 30 seconds or more, or interact with the ad.
• Best for: Brand awareness and engagement.
2. Non-Skippable In-Stream Ads
• Play: Before, during, or after videos.
• Length: Up to 15-20 seconds.
• Viewer option: Must be watched fully; no skip button.
• Billing: Charged by CPM (cost per 1000 impressions).
• Best for: High-impact messaging and guaranteed views.
3. Bumper Ads
• Play: Before videos.
• Length: Exactly 6 seconds.
• Viewer option: Non-skippable.
• Billing: Charged by CPM.
• Best for: Short, memorable brand messages and quick reminders.
4. In-Feed Video Ads (Discovery Ads)
• Appear: On YouTube homepage, search results, or alongside related videos.
• Viewer option: Users click the thumbnail to watch the video.
• Billing: Charged per click.
• Best for: Promoting new videos or channels to interested audiences.
5. Outstream Ads
• Appear: Only on mobile devices outside YouTube, on Google video partner sites and apps.
• Length: Varies.
• Viewer option: Auto-play with sound off (users can tap to enable sound).
• Billing: Charged by viewable CPM (impressions).
• Best for: Expanding reach beyond YouTube.
6. Masthead Ads (Premium Placement)
• Appear: At the top of the YouTube homepage.
• Length: Video or image-based.
• Billing: Usually a fixed daily rate, very costly.
• Best for: Massive brand exposure and product launches.
Skippable in-stream ads
Skippable in-stream ads are one of the most popular YouTube ad formats, designed to play before, during, or after other videos on YouTube. They give viewers the option to skip the ad after 5 seconds if they choose.
Key Features:
• Placement: Plays before, during, or after a YouTube video
• Viewer Choice: Viewers can skip after watching 5 seconds
• Length: Typically 12 seconds up to 6 minutes
• Billing: You pay only if the viewer watches at least 30 seconds (or the entire ad if shorter than 30 seconds) or interacts with your ad (clicks on it) — this is called cost-per-view (CPV)
• Goal: Ideal for driving brand awareness, engagement, and website visits
Why Use Skippable In-Stream Ads?
• Cost-effective: You only pay for engaged views, saving budget on uninterested viewers.
• Flexibility: Longer ads let you tell a story or explain your product.
• Reach: Can appear on YouTube videos, partner sites, and apps across Google’s network.
Non-skippable in-stream ads
Non-skippable in-stream ads are video ads that play before, during, or after YouTube videos and must be watched in full by viewers before the main video plays. These ads do not have a skip button.
Key Features:
• Placement: Before, during, or after YouTube videos
• Viewer Choice: Viewers cannot skip the ad
• Length: Usually 15 to 20 seconds (depending on region and platform)
• Billing: Charged on a cost per thousand impressions (CPM) basis — you pay for every 1,000 times your ad is shown
• Goal: Best for delivering a guaranteed message to your audience with full attention
Why Use Non-Skippable In-Stream Ads?
• Guaranteed exposure: Viewers must watch the entire ad, ensuring your full message is seen.
• High impact: Great for important announcements, brand launches, or promotions where complete attention is critical.
• Better brand recall: Because users cannot skip, your ad has a higher chance of being remembered.
Bumper ads
Bumper ads are short, non-skippable video ads that play before a YouTube video and last exactly 6 seconds.
Key Features:
• Placement: Plays before YouTube videos
• Length: Fixed at 6 seconds
• Viewer Choice: Viewers cannot skip these ads
• Billing: Charged on a CPM (cost per 1,000 impressions) basis — you pay each time your ad is shown 1,000 times
• Goal: Designed for quick, memorable brand messages or reminders
Why Use Bumper Ads?
• Short and impactful: Perfect for reinforcing brand awareness with a concise message.
• Cost-efficient: Since they are short, they cost less to produce but still reach a large audience.
• Complement longer campaigns: Use bumper ads alongside longer formats for repeated exposure.
In-feed video ads (formerly Discovery Ads)
In-Feed Video Ads appear within YouTube search results, homepage feeds, and related video sections. Unlike in-stream ads, these ads do not play automatically; viewers see a clickable thumbnail with a headline and description, and they choose whether to watch.
Key Features:
• Placement:
YouTube homepage
Search results
Related videos sidebar or below the video player
• Viewer Choice: Viewers click the thumbnail to watch the ad video
• Billing: Charged per click (CPC) — you pay only when viewers click to watch your video
• Goal: Ideal for promoting new videos or channels and driving engaged viewers
Why Use In-Feed Video Ads?
• Highly engaging: Attract viewers who are actively browsing or searching for content.
• Boosts organic reach: Helps new videos gain traction by placing them in relevant feeds.
• Cost-effective: Pay only for clicks, not just impressions.
Outstream ads
Outstream ads are mobile-only video ads that appear outside of YouTube on Google’s video partner websites and apps. Unlike other YouTube ads, they do not play on the YouTube platform itself but help you extend your video reach beyond YouTube.
Key Features:
• Placement: Appear on partner sites and apps in Google’s video partner network (outside YouTube)
• Device: Mobile devices only
• Viewer Experience: Auto-play with sound off; users can tap to enable sound
• Length: Varies depending on the video
• Billing: Charged by viewable CPM (cost per 1,000 viewable impressions) — you pay when the ad is actually visible on the screen
• Goal: Increase brand awareness and expand video reach beyond YouTube
Why Use Outstream Ads?
• Broaden your audience: Reach viewers who are not actively browsing YouTube but consume video content elsewhere on mobile.
• Mobile-first: Designed specifically for mobile users, where video consumption is growing rapidly.
• Cost-efficient: Pay only for ads that are actually seen, improving ad spend efficiency.
• How to create a video campaign in Google Ads?
Creating a video campaign in Google Ads helps you promote your YouTube videos to targeted audiences. Here is how to set up your campaign easily:
Step 1: Sign In to Google Ads
Go to Google Ads and sign in with your Google account.
Step 2: Click on “New Campaign”
• On the dashboard, click the + New Campaign button to start.
Step 3: Choose Your Campaign Goal
Pick a goal that matches your objectives, such as:
• Sales
• Leads
• Website traffic
• Product and brand consideration
• Brand awareness and reach
Or choose Create a campaign without a goal for more control.
Step 4: Select Campaign Type – Video
Choose Video as your campaign type.
Step 5: Select a Campaign Subtype
Options include:
• Custom video campaign
• Outstream
• Drive campaign awareness and reach
Choose the one that fits your goal.
Step 6: Set Your Budget and Bidding
• Define your daily or campaign total budget.
• Choose your bidding strategy (CPV, CPM, or CPA).
Step 7: Define Your Target Audience
Set your audience targeting:
• Demographics (age, gender, location, language)
• Interests and behaviors
• Keywords and topics
• Placements (specific YouTube channels, videos, or websites)
Step 8: Create Your Video Ad
• Enter your YouTube video URL.
• Add a compelling headline and description.
• Select a thumbnail image or upload one.
Step 9: Review and Launch
• Review your settings carefully.
• Click Create Campaign to launch your video ad campaign.
Step 10: Monitor & Optimize
• Track campaign performance in Google Ads.
• Adjust targeting, bids, or creative elements based on data to improve results.
Thank you!
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