These are pre-roll ads that play before, during, or after a video and can be skipped after 5 seconds. They appear on YouTube watch pages and across Google video partner websites and apps.When to Use: Skippable in-stream ads are perfect for building brand awareness and driving consideration, as they allow for longer, more detailed storytelling.
These video ads boost the visibility of your content in discovery areas like related YouTube videos, search results, and the YouTube mobile homepage.In-feed video ads include a thumbnail image and accompanying text. Their size and format may vary based on placement, but their goal is always to entice viewers to click and watch. Once clicked, the video plays on the YouTube watch page or your channel homepage.When to Use: In-feed ads are perfect for driving consideration and conversions, encouraging viewers to watch your full video and explore what your brand offers.
Overlay ads are semi-transparent banners that appear at the bottom of a video and can be closed by the viewer. They may contain images, text, or rich media and are available exclusively on desktop devices.When to Use: Overlay ads are perfect for promoting a specific product, offer, or call-to-action (CTA) within your video. They work most effectively when combined with other ad formats to strengthen your overall message.
These ads are non-skippable and must be watched in full before the viewer can access the main video content. They run for 30 seconds or less and appear on YouTube watch pages as well as partner sites.When to Use: Non-skippable in-stream ads are highly effective for brand awareness and consideration campaigns, similar to skippable in-stream ads.
Bumper ads are brief, attention-grabbing videos that last six seconds or less and cannot be skipped. They play before, during, or after YouTube videos and can also appear on Google video partner websites and apps.When to Use: Bumper ads are ideal for building brand awareness, delivering a quick message, or promoting a flash sale. They’re also great for retargeting campaigns to keep your brand fresh in viewers' minds.
These premium, high-visibility banner ads are prominently placed at the top of YouTube's homepage for a full 24 hours.On desktop, the Masthead ad features a silent auto play video for up to 30 seconds in widescreen or 16:9 aspect ratio, complete with an info panel on the right using assets from your channel. On mobile, the ad also includes an info panel, but the video auto plays with sound as soon as a user visits YouTube. After the campaign ends, the Masthead ad converts to a standard text and display ad, allowing users to click and visit your channel or website.To run Masthead ads, you’ll need to make a reservation through a Google sales representative.When to Use: Masthead ads are ideal for creating significant brand awareness quickly, making them perfect for product launches, holiday promotions, or events requiring immediate impact and maximum visibility.