ads-youtube

# YouTube Ads Analysis ## Process 1. Collect YouTube Ads data (Google Ads export filtered to Video campaigns) 2. Read `ads/references/google-audit.md` for YouTube-relevant checks (incl. G-DG1 through G-DG3, G-CTV1) 3. Read `ads/references/platform-specs.md` for video specifications 4. Read `ads/references/benchmarks.md` for YouTube benchmarks 5. Read `ads/references/scoring-system.md` for health score algorithm 6. **Validate**: confirm at least one active video campaign exists before proceeding 7. **Check**: flag any remaining Video Action Campaigns (VAC). All auto-upgraded to Demand Gen by April 2026 8. Evaluate campaign setup, creative quality, targeting, and measurement 9. **Validate**: verify all campaign types identified before generating report 10. Generate YouTube-specific findings report with health score ## Campaign Types Assessment ### YT-01: Skippable In-Stream (TrueView) - Length: 12s minimum, 15-30s recommended (can be longer) - Bidding: Target CPV or Target CPA - Skip rate benchmark: 65-80% is normal - View rate: ≥15% is good - Evaluate: hook quality in first 5 seconds, CTA card usage ### YT-02: Non-Skippable In-Stream - Length: up to 60s (expanded 2025; previously 15s/20s) - Bidding: Target CPM - Best for: brand awareness, reach campaigns - Evaluate: message completeness, frequency capping, optimal length testing ### YT-03: Bumper Ads - Length: exactly 6s (non-skippable) - Bidding: Target CPM - Best for: reach extension, brand reinforcement - Evaluate: single-message focus, brand visibility throughout ### YT-04: YouTube Shorts Ads - Format: vertical 9:16 (1080x1920 recommended) - Length: up to 60s, sound-on required - Music/voiceover increases conversions by **over 20%** - CTA button appears at **3 seconds** for PMax/App/Demand Gen, **10 seconds** for Video View/Reach - Top-performing Shorts ads feel organic, authentic, and creator-like - YouTube Select Shorts lineups deliver 90% longer viewing vs competitor platforms (MediaScience data) - Placement exclusions for Shorts only work at **account level** (not campaign/ad group) - Best for: younger demographics, mobile-first, action campaigns ### YT-05: Demand Gen (fully replaced Video Action Campaigns, April 2026) - **All VACs auto-upgraded to Demand Gen by April 2026**. Flag any remaining VAC campaigns as deprecated - Placements: YouTube Home Feed, Watch Next, Discover, Gmail, Google Display Network (with channel controls) - Multi-format critical: advertisers uploading **both video AND image assets** see **20% more conversions** at same CPA vs video-only (G-DG1 check) - DoorDash case study: 15x higher conversion rate, 50% lower CPA vs VAC - **Major limitation: frequency capping is NOT supported** in Demand Gen. Significant loss from VAC. Only workaround: Video Frequency Groups (alpha). Flag former VAC campaigns that relied on frequency caps (G-DG3 check) - Evaluate: