Running YouTube ads through Google Ads is one of the most effective ways to increase brand awareness, drive video views, and generate conversions. In this tutorial, I’ll walk you step-by-step through the process of setting up a YouTube video ad campaign inside Google Ads.
🎯 Why Run YouTube Ads?
YouTube is the world’s second-largest search engine and a powerful platform to reach your target audience. By using Google Ads to promote your videos, you can:
- Boost video views and channel engagement
- Reach targeted audiences based on demographics, interests, or placements
- Drive leads and conversions with relevant calls-to-action
- Control your budget with cost-per-view (CPV) bidding
🔹 Step 1: Access Google Ads Dashboard
- Log in to your Google Ads account.
- Click on Create New Campaign from the dashboard.
🔹 Step 2: Choose Campaign Goal
- Select Awareness and Consideration.
- Under goals, pick Video Views (recommended for reaching viewers and generating conversions).
This goal is perfect if you want to maximize engagement on YouTube while keeping control over your spending.
🔹 Step 3: Name Your Campaign
Give your campaign a clear and descriptive name.
Example: “GMC Video Case Study Campaign.”
Tip: Naming campaigns properly helps you stay organized when managing multiple ads.
🔹 Step 4: Select Ad Formats
Google Ads offers several video ad formats:
- Skippable in-stream ads
- In-feed video ads (appear in YouTube search results or related videos)
- YouTube Shorts ads
For broader reach, you can select all formats.
🔹 Step 5: Set Budget, Bidding, and Dates
- Choose your Target CPV (Cost Per View) bid. This is the average amount you’re willing to pay per view.
- Enter your daily or total campaign budget. Example: $20 over 10 days → $2/day.
- Set your start and end dates for better control.
🔹 Step 6: Select Networks
- By default, your ads can appear on YouTube and partner sites.
- Uncheck “Video partners on the Display Network” if you only want your ads on YouTube.
🔹 Step 7: Location & Language Targeting
- Target by country, city, or region.
Example: You can run ads in New Zealand (country) and New York (city) simultaneously. - Optionally, exclude locations where you don’t want your ad shown.
- Choose the language your audience speaks.
🔹 Step 8: Related Videos (Optional)
You can add related videos from your channel to show under your ad. This creates a richer experience for viewers and helps increase watch time.
🔹 Step 9: Create an Ad Group
- Name your ad group clearly, e.g., “GMC Video Group 1.”
- Ad groups help you manage targeting and performance separately.
🔹 Step 10: Audience Targeting
Define who should see your ad:
- Demographics: Age, gender, parental status.
- Interests: For example, e-commerce, Google Ads, SEO, etc.
- Custom Segments: Target people searching for Merchant Center, Google Ads, or marketing services.
- Placements: Show ads on specific YouTube channels or videos.
- Keywords: Add targeted keywords to refine reach.
Narrow targeting ensures your budget is spent on the right audience.
🔹 Step 11: Choose Your Video
- Go to your YouTube channel and copy the URL of the video you want to promote.
- Paste it into the ad setup.
- Remember: Videos under 3 minutes generally perform better for ads.
🔹 Step 12: Add Headlines & CTA
Write compelling ad copy:
- Headline Example: “Google Merchant Center Suspension Fix – Learn the Case Study.”
- Include a clear call-to-action (CTA) like “Watch Now,” “Learn More,” or “Get Started.”
🔹 Step 13: Review & Set Target CPV
- Enter your target CPV bid (e.g., $0.05 – $0.10 per view depending on niche).
- Google Ads will optimize your campaign to get maximum views within your budget.
🔹 Step 14: Finalize Campaign
- Review all campaign settings.
- Click Create Campaign.
- Verify your account if prompted.
- Once approved, your ad will start delivering to your selected audience.
✅ Key Takeaways
- Use video views objective to maximize YouTube reach.
- Narrow targeting with demographics, keywords, and placements prevents wasted spend.
- Keep ad videos short, engaging, and under 3 minutes.
- Monitor performance and adjust CPV bids for best results.
📌 Conclusion
Running a YouTube video ad campaign in Google Ads may look complex at first, but by following these steps, you can easily launch a campaign that attracts views, builds brand awareness, and drives results.
Start small, experiment with different targeting options, and scale up once you see what works best for your audience.