Strike Overview
- YouTube Shorts ads now allow advertisers to fully utilize YouTube’s mobile app content, supporting campaigns across the entire marketing funnel, from awareness to conversions.
- At Google Marketing Live 2024, a key update introduced in-app browsing within YouTube Shorts ads, marking significant progress since GML 2022 when Shorts ads were first introduced via Video Action Campaigns (now Demand Gen) and App Install Campaigns.
- YouTube Shorts has evolved into a versatile ad placement, attracting audience attention with brief, compelling videos that produce meaningful outcomes for advertisers and brands.
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Making YouTube Shorts a Core Part of Your Video Ad Strategy
Since the launch of YouTube Shorts, marketers have awaited how Google will utilize this new feature. Rion Austin, Director of Global Solutions, noticed the shift in consumer behavior when deciding to purchase a product. People spend more time discovering brands and evaluating products than buying abruptly after seeing an ad. This trend gave more reason for consumers to spend time browsing on their sofas.
In the U.S., users spend an average of 26.21 hours monthly on the YouTube mobile app, translating to roughly 6.5 hours weekly. Video platforms, especially YouTube, exert a significant influence on consumer buying decisions. Notably, nearly 60% of short-form videos retain viewers for 41% to 80% of their length, demonstrating strong engagement and retention rates.
Marketers utilize short-form videos to provide organic bite-sized information or inspiration content. In a short time, YouTube Shorts has captured 2.71 billion logged-in users each month, with an average of 90 billion views daily. Brands and creators have experienced growth in viewership and channel subscription. In the same effect, advertisers can leverage bottom-conversion campaigns by riding on the popularity of short-form content.
YouTube Shorts Ads Boosts Conversion Campaigns on Mobile Devices
Micro video ads have shown better performance on mobile devices based on Yume and IPG Media Lab research. The content surrounding short-form videos has brought knowledge or entertained app users. Younger generations, Gen Zs and Millenials, have browsed longer on their mobile phones than they intended when watching UGC — typically snackable videos.
Strike Social data echoes the same success in how smartphones drive more ad engagement. Various YouTube Video Action Campaigns results show that mobile has delivered more output than costs.
Based on the data gathered, 7% of video viewers engage entirely with the ad after watching it—three times more than desktop users. With the ease of mobile usage, handheld devices continue to impact every touchpoint in the purchase journey.
Further Reading
Keep Your YouTube Shorts Ads Within The VVC Safe Zone
When using YouTube Shorts for Video View Campaigns, it’s crucial to ensure that your 16:9 video ads and key messaging remain clear and unobstructed. Adhering to the safe zones ensures your content is displayed flawlessly, no matter where it appears, allowing your message to reach audiences just as you intended.
Video Action Campaign Guide: Create More Action in YouTube Short Ads
Advertisers cannot just rely on budget allocation and ad placements. Understanding the benefits and ad specifications is essential to achieving the desired results. Here are the advantages and guidelines for Video Action Campaigns in preparation for the rollout of YouTube Shorts Ads.
What are YouTube Video Action Campaigns?
Video Action Campaign (VAC) is one of the YouTube advertising solutions that make shopping more convenient through digital video ads. During Q1 of 2022, campaigns running in TrueView for Action transitioned to VAC. The change of name came with an upgrade in performance and efficiency. As of 2024, VAC has been further upgraded to Demand Gen, enabling advertisers to use YouTube Shorts ads more effectively to convert audiences into customers.
What are the benefits when running Video Action ad formats? Google scales campaigns across all devices and inventories. With the addition of YouTube Shorts ads placements, optimizing to drive conversions will be more efficient with consumers spending on short-form videos.
What are the benefits when running Video Action ad formats? Google scales campaigns across all devices and inventories. With the addition of YouTube Shorts ads placements, optimizing to drive conversions will be more efficient with consumers spending on short-form videos.
Video Action Campaign Ad Specs
Skippable In-Stream and In-Feed Video are placements that can display VAC ads, but the layout and functionality differ based on the device. Other ad placements are: YouTube Home Feed, YouTube Watch Page, YouTube Watch Next, YouTube Search Results, Google Video Partners, and the latest addition is YouTube Shorts.
With the possibility of video ads appearing on the YouTube Shorts feed, the ideal video length should be shorter than 60 seconds but at least 10 seconds long. Check the image below for other creative guidelines.
Ideal video length should be less than 60 seconds, but at least 10 seconds or more, as video ads can appear in YouTube Shorts feeds. Check the guide for comprehensive creative specifications and best practices.
Best Practices for Video Action Campaigns
Budget Allocation
Winning in the auction requires the suitable distribution of the daily budget. Google recommends a 15x or more budget than your target CPA for 7 to 8 days of optimization time. The daily budget for a two-week learning curve will be 10x to 15x of the desired CPA.
Audience Targeting
Create an audience based on search keywords, Customer Match, Data, and Similar segments. Google recommends opt-in optimized targeting. For StrikeSocial clients, our team creates hyper granular targeting and optimizes to campaign with high output efficiency.
Developing Creatives
Hook viewers right from the start. Ideally, for YouTube Shorts viewers, capture their attention in the first 2-5 seconds of your video. Always echo call-to-action on video clips, compelling graphics, or voiceovers.
YouTube Shorts and Long Form Video Ads: Full-Funnel Advertising Solutions
Ads on Youtube are becoming more and more popular among advertisers. Marketers can develop full-funnel video advertising strategies with growing video inventory, offering long and short-form video content.
From scaling views or impressions via co-viewing on Connected TV to influencing purchasing decisions using a micro video ad, YouTube provides a one-stop solution across all devices and objectives in generating more advertising output.
Ready to build up your YouTube advertising strategy from brand awareness to conversions? We’re here to help. Our SWAS (software with a service) AdTech solutions can optimize your campaign outcomes while ensuring cost efficiency year-round. Reach out to our team, and let’s discuss your paid social needs.
