How To Create Google Ads YouTube Video Advertising Campaigns

If you want to learn more about YouTube Advertising, this guide will help you understand the process step by step. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll know how to start your first YouTube video ad campaign.

If you are new to creating YouTube ads, the first thing to know is that they are all managed in your Google Ads account. You can test different campaign objectives and video ad types. My favorite is creating video advertising campaigns on Google Ads with a conversion objective. Then I can use videos to drive new customers and teach people about my products and services.

Example of a YouTube Video Ad

Why Choose YouTube Advertising?

YouTube is a powerful platform for advertisers. Here’s why:

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1. Large audience: YouTube has over 2 billion users who log in monthly and watch videos.
2. Engaged viewers: YouTube users actively watch content, which makes catching their attention easier and encourages them to take action.

YouTube ads allow you to reach these viewers effectively. Let’s learn how to create these ads.

Step 1: Create a YouTube Channel

First things first – you need a YouTube channel. If you already have one, great! Skip to the next step. If not, here’s how to set one up:

1. Go to YouTube.com and sign in with your Google account.
2. Click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
3. Select “Create a channel” from the dropdown menu.
4. Follow the prompts to set up your channel.

Pro tip: Make sure your channel name reflects your brand. This will help build recognition when people see your ads.

Step 2: Upload Your Video Ad to YouTube

Now that you have a channel, it’s time to upload your video ad. Here’s how:

1. Click the camera icon in the top right corner of YouTube.
2. Select “Upload Video” from the dropdown menu.
3. Choose your video file or drag and drop it into the upload area.
4. While the video is uploading, add a title, description, and tags.
5. Set your video’s privacy settings to “Unlisted” if you don’t want it to appear in public searches.
6. Click “Publish” (don’t worry, “Unlisted” videos won’t show up on your channel).

Remember, your ad should be engaging and to the point. You often only have a few seconds to grab viewers’ attention!

Step 3: Create a Google Ads Account

If you don’t already have a Google Ads account, you’ll need to create one:

1. Go to ads.google.com.
2. Click the “Start Now” button.
3. Follow the prompts to set up your account.
4. You’ll need to enter basic business information and set up billing.

Don’t stress about campaign settings yet – we’ll get to that moment.

Step 4: Link Your YouTube Channel to Google Ads

Before we create a campaign, let’s link your YouTube channel to your Google Ads account:

1. In Google Ads, click the Tools icon (it looks like a hammer and a wrench).
2. Click on Data Manager to see your Connected Products.
3. Find “YouTube” and click “Details.”
4. Click the “Link” button.
5. Select your YouTube channel and click “Continue.”
6. Choose the Google Ads account you want to link to and click “Link accounts.”

Great job! You’re now ready to create your first campaign.

Step 5: Create Your YouTube Video Ad Campaign

Alright, here’s where the magic happens. Let’s set up your campaign:

1. In Google Ads, click “Campaigns” on the left sidebar.
2. Click the blue plus button and select “New campaign.”
3. Choose “Leads” or “Create a campaign without a goal’s guidance.”
4. Select Video” as your campaign type.
5. Choose your campaign subtype from the list based on your goals.
6. Click “Continue.”

Choose a Google Ads Campaign Objective for YouTube Video Ads

Choose the Video Campaign Type For Your Campaign

Choose the Video Campaign Subtype For Your Campaign

Now, let’s configure your campaign:

1. Give your campaign a name.
2. Set your budget. Start small – you can always increase it later.
3. Choose your bidding strategy. If unsure, go with “Maximum CPV” (cost-per-view). I like using the Leads objective and Maximize Conversions.
4. Select your target audience. You can choose demographics and interests and even target people visiting your website or watching your YouTube videos.
5. Choose where you want your ads to appear on YouTube.

Step 6: Create Your Ad Group and Add Your Video

We’re in the home stretch! Here’s how to set up your ad group and add your video:

1. Name your ad group.
2. Set your maximum bid. This is the most you’re willing to pay for a view.
3. Click “Paste video URL” and enter the video URL you uploaded earlier.
4. Choose your ad format. In-stream ads play before or during other videos, while discovery ads appear in search results and as recommended videos.
5. Add your ad copy, including headlines, descriptions, and call-to-action buttons.
6. Review everything and click “Create Campaign.”

Congratulations! You’ve just created your first YouTube video ad campaign!

What’s Next?

Now that your campaign is live, it’s time to monitor its performance. Look at metrics like views, view rate, and conversions. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments—advertising is all about testing and optimizing.

Remember, creating compelling video ads is both an art and a science. It takes time to find what works best for your audience. Be patient, stay curious, and keep learning.

Conclusion

Starting with YouTube video advertising might seem daunting initially, but as you can see, it’s doable. Take it one step at a time, and before you know it, you’ll be reaching new audiences and growing your business through the power of video ads.

Do you have questions? Don’t hesitate to explore Google’s support resources or contact customer service. You can also leave a comment below, and I will do my best to answer your questions.