YouTube Shorts ads: What are the video specs and formats?

What are YouTube Shorts ads?

YouTube Shorts ads are short, vertical, full-screen videos optimized for a mobile experience. YouTube Help documents that these ads are designed to connect with a vast, mobile-centric audience by leveraging the platform's engaging, short-form video format.

These ads appear interspersed between organic Shorts videos, creating a similar user experience to the content users are already watching. Google Ads Help states that users can immediately skip the ad by swiping up or down, just as they would with organic Shorts videos.

Where do YouTube Shorts ads appear?

YouTube Shorts ads can appear in various locations within the YouTube app and on YouTube in desktop and mobile web browsers. Google Ads Help specifies placements such as entries through the Shorts tab, Shorts shelves (which surface Shorts on Home and Search feeds), channel feeds, gaming feeds, shopping feeds, and subscriptions feeds.

YouTube Help also notes that Shorts ads are served on tablets (both in-app and browser), mobile and desktop web browsers, and connected devices like streaming devices, gaming consoles, and TVs. This broad distribution allows advertisers to reach users across multiple platforms and devices.

What video specifications are recommended for YouTube Shorts ads?

For YouTube Shorts ads, vertical video assets are recommended. Google Help states that vertical videos, which have a 9:16 aspect ratio, are best suited for the Shorts format and tend to deliver better performance compared to landscape assets. An aspect ratio describes the proportional relationship between a video's width and its height.

Google Ads Help recommends specific pixel dimensions for high-definition vertical videos: 1080 x 1920 pixels. The minimum acceptable dimensions for vertical videos are 720 x 1280 pixels. YouTube dynamically adjusts your video to fit the viewer’s device without stretching or cutting off your content.

Google Ads Help specifies a wide range of supported file formats for video ads on YouTube. These formats ensure compatibility with various video production workflows and encoding standards, allowing advertisers flexibility in uploading their creative assets.

• .MPG (MPEG-2 or MPEG-4)
• .WMV
• .AVI
• .MOV
• .FLV
• .MP4
• WebM
• ProRes
• HEVC (h265)

How long can YouTube Shorts ads be?

Video ads can be up to 3 minutes long, but only the first 60 seconds will play directly within the Shorts feed. Google Help explains that an overlay appears at the 50-second mark, allowing the user to watch the remainder of the ad on the YouTube watch page.

The required length of your video ad can also depend on the campaign type. For Video Reach Campaigns, videos can be between 6 and 60 seconds long. For other campaign types, such as Video Action Campaigns, App Campaigns, and Performance Max Campaigns, videos should be between 10 and 60 seconds.

What campaign types support YouTube Shorts ads?

YouTube Shorts ads are compatible with several Google Ads campaign types. These include Performance Max campaigns, App campaigns, Demand Gen campaigns, Video View campaigns, and Video Reach campaigns. Google Help states that to run a successful Shorts ad campaign, you need to create assets that meet YouTube's specifications and best practices.

The timing of the Call-to-Action (CTA) button can vary by campaign type. For Performance Max, App, and Demand Gen campaigns, the CTA button appears 3 seconds into the ad. For Video View campaigns and Video Reach campaigns, the CTA button appears 10 seconds into the ad.

What is the safe zone for YouTube Shorts ads?

A safe zone is an area within your video where important visual elements, such as your logo, product, or text overlays, should be placed to ensure they are not covered or cut off. Google Ads Help advises using reference images or transparent PNG templates to keep these elements within the designated "red safe area."

Overlays, call-to-actions, and other buttons may appear in different places on the screen depending on the ad format, campaign type, and the viewer's device. Adhering to the safe zone helps prevent these dynamic elements from obscuring critical parts of your ad content.

How is a view counted for YouTube Shorts ads?

A TrueView view for Shorts ads is counted when a viewer meets specific criteria. YouTube Help states that a view is registered if the viewer watches 10 seconds of the video, or watches until the end of the video, whichever comes first. Alternatively, a view is counted if the viewer clicks on the call-to-action (CTA) button on the video ad.

Engagement with social features also counts as a view. If a viewer clicks on the "Like," "Comments," or "Share" button on the video ad, it is also registered as a TrueView view.

Common questions

What is the recommended aspect ratio for YouTube Shorts ads?

The recommended aspect ratio for YouTube Shorts ads is 9:16, which is ideal for vertical videos. Google Help recommends vertical videos with this aspect ratio for better performance in the Shorts format. The recommended pixel dimensions for HD vertical videos are 1080 x 1920 pixels.

How long do YouTube Shorts ads play in the feed?

While video ads can be up to 3 minutes long, only the first 60 seconds will play directly in the YouTube Shorts feed. Google Help states that an overlay appears at 50 seconds, allowing users to watch the rest of the ad on the YouTube watch page if they choose.

Can users skip YouTube Shorts ads?

Yes, users can immediately skip YouTube Shorts ads. Google Ads Help and YouTube Help both state that ads appear between organic Shorts videos and can be skipped by swiping up or down, providing a similar user experience to organic content.

What happens if a YouTube Shorts ad is longer than 60 seconds?

If a YouTube Shorts ad is longer than 60 seconds, only the first 60 seconds will play in the Shorts feed. At the 50-second mark, an overlay will appear, giving the user the option to continue watching the remainder of the ad on the YouTube watch page.

What file formats are supported for YouTube Shorts ads?

YouTube Shorts ads support various file formats, including .MPG (MPEG-2 or MPEG-4), .WMV, .AVI, .MOV, .FLV, .MP4, WebM, ProRes, and HEVC (h265).