Estimates place YouTube’s total global number of users at 2.52 billion as of April 2023. Counting only users aged 18 and older, that figure drops to 2.07 billion. Still, 2+ billion represents over a third of the world’s 18 and above age range.
With so many users, it makes sense for an advertising strategy to include YouTube ads.
Don’t worry if you’re unsure how to make the most of YouTube. Our top advertising tips for using this platform can help you get started, so read on.
Use a YouTube Ad Spy Tool
A YouTube ad spy tool lets you gather advertising ideas for your YouTube video ads. For instance, it gives you real-time market data for existing YouTube ads similar to what you want to make. It also lets you keep tabs on your competitors’ advertisements on the platform.
You can then use your gathered data to create better ads than the competition.
Tell Stories With Skippable In-Stream Ads
Skippable in-stream ads are advertisements played before a selected video. They don’t have a maximum length requirement. However, Google, which owns YouTube, recommends them to be under 3 minutes.
Advertisers only pay for skippable in-stream ads if viewers or users do the following:
- Watch the entire ad
- Watch the ad for 30 seconds
- Take action, like click a call-to-action option or button
Since these ads are skippable, viewers can skip them after five seconds. For this reason, your skippable in-stream video advertising plan should be compelling enough.
For instance, you can tell a gripping story about your brand to hook viewers in the first five seconds. Once you capture their attention, they’re less likely to skip the ad.
Incentivize Viewing Non-Skippable Ads
Non-skippable ads are in-stream advertisements played before, during, or after YouTube videos. Viewers can’t skip these ads, which can be up to 15 seconds long. However, just because they can’t avoid the ads doesn’t mean they’ll watch them.
Non-skippable ads that offer nothing can annoy viewers, including your target audience. To avoid this, inform viewers immediately they can get something in return if they watch your ads. For example, you can tell viewers your brand offers free items as product promotions.
Spread Awareness With Other Ad Formats
Bumper, in-feed, and overlay ads are other YouTube video ad formats.
Bumper ads, which can only be up to six seconds long, are non-skippable. They play before, during, or after selected videos. Since they’re short ads, they’re ideal for spreading brand or product awareness.
In-feed ads appear on the YouTube homepage of users who’ve watched videos on your channel. They also display on YouTube search results and the “Watch Next” category. These functions make them great for spreading awareness and recall about your brand.
Overlay ads are banners that hover at the bottom section of a video, making them less intrusive. They’re ideal complementary videos to your skippable and non-skippable in-stream YouTube ads.
Dominate YouTube With These Advertising Tips
Remember: Of the 33 million small businesses in the U.S., 67% use social media marketing. Many already advertise on YouTube, considering it’s the second most popular site worldwide.
So if you haven’t started a YouTube ad campaign yet, now’s the best time to. Just make sure you follow our advertising tips to help you maximize your YouTube ad spend.
For related reading, check out our post detailing why you should invest in YouTube ads!
