Video Ads
How Video Ads Work
YouTube Video Ads run on the category pages and search result pages. The 300 x 35 companion banner is the topmost component of the YouTube Video Ad and is the only area that allows click-through to an advertiser's external site.
The main portion of the YouTube Video Ad is YouTube's Flash player. This is a click-to-play unit. The video must be uploaded and hosted on YouTube. The 300 x 225 custom titlecard image is optional and can display an image that is provided by the advertiser.
Creative Submission
Submissions should include advertiser and agency, IO number, campaign name and detailed trafficking instructions.
Turnaround Time
Assets for these units should be received by YouTube no later than FOUR business days prior to campaign start date and sent to both Account Coordinator and Media Coordinator.
Required Assets
- URL of YouTube-hosted Video Ad
- 300 x 35 Companion Banner
Optional Assets
- Custom Titlecard Image
Companion Display Ad
Technical Specifications
- Dimensions accepted: 300 x 35 pixels
- Formats accepted: JPG, static GIF, SWF
- Flash versions accepted: 6/7/8/9
- Flash files must contain a background layer, not use the colour of the stage
- Maximum Flash frame rate: 20
- Maximum file size (SWF): 50 KB
- Maximum file size (JPG/GIF): 50 KB
- Maximum animation: 15 seconds
Tracking Elements
- Element may not be served via a third party.
- We can accept a third-party pixel for tracking impression data.
- We can accept a third-party pixel for tracking click data.
Reporting Metrics
YouTube reports will list clicks to this element, as well as impression data for the overall unit.
Click-to-Play Video Ad
Technical Specifications
- Video Format: H.264, MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 preferred
- Aspect Ratio: Native aspect ratio without letterboxing (examples: 4:3, 16:9)
- Resolution: 640 x 360 (16:9) or 480 x 360 (4:3) recommended
- Audio Format: MP3 or AAC preferred
- Frames per second: 30
- Maximum length: 10 minutes (we recommend 2-3 minutes)
- Maximum file size: 1 GB
Resizing your video to these specifications before uploading will help your videos look better on YouTube.
Additional Details
- User-initiated
- Video must be uploaded to and hosted on YouTube
- Upon video upload, advertiser must allow embedding
- YouTube will render the player and community metrics at the bottom based on the video ID that is provided
Tracking Elements
- Element may not be served via a third party.
- We can accept a third-party pixel for click-to-play tracking.
- We cannot accept a third-party pixel for tracking impression data.
Reporting Metrics
Clicks to play, click-to-play rate and quartile reporting (25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of video watched)
Community metrics including clicks to channel page, clicks to comments and clicks to rate.
Helpful Tips
Videos can be kept "Private" prior to launch, but they must also be reviewed. If you'd like to keep your video private, invite your media coordinator to view the video so it can be reviewed. And don't forget to switch the video to "Public" just before the launch date. A new URL is generated each time a video is uploaded. If you modify and re-upload your video, be certain to send us the new URL. Videos must NOT be modified after 3 p.m. on the day before a launch date.
Custom Titlecard Image
Technical Specifications
- Dimensions accepted: 300 x 225 pixels
- Formats accepted: static GIF/JPG/PNG
- Flash versions accepted: 5/6/7/8
- Maximum file size: 50 KB
Tracking Elements
- This element may not be served by a third party.
- We cannot accept third-party tracking on this element.
Reporting Metrics
YouTube reports will not list this element.
Additional Details
This is an optional component. When submitting the title card, please keep in mind that the button graphic will be added on top of your graphic. This is added by YouTube.
The "Click to Play" button is 75 x 55 pixels.