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YOUTUBE ADS

Video advertising that builds and converts.

YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world and the second most visited website globally. YouTube Ads reach over 20 million Australians every month. For businesses with video content — or willing to create it — YouTube combines the reach of television with the targeting precision of Google Ads.

YouTube Ads — formats, targeting, and how they fit into a digital strategy.

YouTube Ads are video advertisements served through Google Ads on YouTube and across the Google Video Partner network. The three primary formats are: In-stream skippable ads (skip after 5 seconds, you pay only if watched for 30+ seconds or clicked), In-stream non-skippable ads (15 seconds, must watch in full), and Bumper ads (6-second non-skippable, good for awareness). YouTube targeting uses the same audience tools as the broader Google Ads ecosystem — demographic, in-market, custom intent, and remarketing audiences. This makes YouTube uniquely powerful: the reach of video broadcast combined with the precision targeting of Google. Scalepoint manages YouTube campaigns as part of an integrated Google Ads strategy, typically as a brand awareness layer built on top of converting Search and Shopping campaigns.

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20 million Australians watch YouTube every month.

Australia has one of the highest YouTube penetration rates in the developed world — over 80% of Australians aged 18–49 use YouTube regularly. For businesses targeting any consumer demographic, YouTube offers reach that rivals traditional broadcast media at a fraction of the cost. YouTube Ads also feed Google's broader machine learning — video view data informs audience signals in Performance Max and Display, making your other campaigns smarter over time. Google AI Overviews now frequently pull from YouTube content, making video an increasingly important signal for overall brand authority in search.

20M+
Australians reached by YouTube every month — second only to Facebook for digital video reach in Australia
2nd
largest search engine in the world — people search for how-to content, product reviews, and local businesses on YouTube
43.7%
increase in bookings for a client that added video assets to their Google Ads account across Search and PMax (Scalepoint client, FY25)

YouTube requires strategy, not just a video.

Most businesses try YouTube Ads once, see low direct conversion rates, and write it off. The mistake is measuring YouTube like Search. YouTube is a reach and consideration channel — the metrics that matter are view-through conversions, brand search lift, and downstream impact on Search conversion rates.

CAMPAIGN STRUCTURE
Awareness and consideration separated.

We separate YouTube campaigns by funnel stage — awareness campaigns targeting cold in-market audiences, consideration campaigns targeting people who viewed your ads or visited your site, and remarketing campaigns targeting warm audiences who are close to converting. Each stage gets different creative and different success metrics.

AUDIENCE TARGETING
Reaching the right viewer.

In-market audiences for your category, custom intent audiences built from Search keywords, life events (new homeowners for trades, new parents for relevant products), and remarketing audiences from your website and Search campaigns. YouTube targeting is as precise as Search with the added dimension of demographic and interest layering.

VIDEO CREATIVE STRATEGY
The first 5 seconds determine everything.

For skippable in-stream ads, the decision to watch or skip happens in the first 5 seconds. We advise on hook structure — lead with a problem your audience has or a result that grabs attention, not a logo and tagline. For trades businesses, real job footage and genuine customer outcomes outperform produced brand videos consistently.

BUMPER ADS
6-second ads for frequency and recall.

Bumper ads (6-second non-skippable) are designed for brand recall across a broad audience. They are most effective when combined with longer in-stream ads — the bumper reinforces a message that the in-stream ad delivered. We use bumpers for promotional periods and new market entries.

VIDEO ACTION CAMPAIGNS
YouTube for direct response.

Video Action Campaigns (now running through PMax or standalone) show skippable in-stream ads with prominent call-to-action overlays and end screens. For businesses with strong video assets and a clear conversion goal, Video Action can generate direct leads at competitive CPAs.

ATTRIBUTION
Measuring what YouTube actually contributes.

YouTube's contribution to conversions is often invisible in last-click attribution models. We set up view-through conversion windows, monitor brand search volume lift, and use Google's data-driven attribution to understand how YouTube interacts with Search and Shopping in the path to conversion.

YouTube earns its place in the right strategy.

Businesses with video assets or willing to create them

YouTube requires video. A smartphone-filmed job video or a 30-second walkthrough of your service is enough to start. We help advise on what to shoot and how to structure it for ads before any production investment.

Businesses in longer consideration categories

Pool construction, home renovation, major appliances, fitness equipment — categories where buyers research for weeks before purchasing. YouTube keeps your brand present through that consideration window and builds the trust that drives the eventual Search click.

Ecommerce brands building above-the-line awareness

YouTube is the closest digital equivalent to television advertising — broad reach, video storytelling, brand narrative. For ecommerce brands wanting to build category awareness rather than just capture existing demand, YouTube is the right channel.

Businesses that want to appear in YouTube search results

People search YouTube for how-to content, product reviews, and local services. YouTube Ads can target specific search queries on YouTube directly, putting your video in front of people who are actively looking for content in your category.

A one-page audit of your youtube ads opportunities.

No call required. Tell us your business and goals — we send back a written audit within 3 business days.

What works with YouTube Ads.

Performance Max

Video assets power PMax across all Google channels

Learn more →
Google Display Ads

Extend visual reach across the web alongside YouTube

Learn more →
Google Search Ads

Capture the demand that YouTube awareness creates

Learn more →
Remarketing

Re-engage YouTube viewers who did not convert

Learn more →
← Back to Google Ads

Common questions about youtube ads

What types of YouTube Ads are available?+

The main formats are skippable in-stream (plays before videos, skippable after 5 seconds), non-skippable in-stream (15 seconds, must be watched), bumper ads (6-second non-skippable), and in-feed ads (appear in search results and alongside videos). Each serves different objectives — we recommend formats based on your goal and budget.

Do I need professionally produced video?+

Not necessarily. What matters most is the first 5 seconds — that's when viewers decide to keep watching or skip. A well-scripted smartphone video often outperforms an over-produced brand film. We advise on the brief and structure so your video hooks the right audience, regardless of production budget.

How is YouTube targeting different from other ad platforms?+

YouTube combines demographics, interests, life events, search history, and specific channel or video placements. You can target people who have recently searched for your competitors, watched videos in your category, or visited your website. This makes it unusually precise for a video channel.

How much does YouTube Ads cost?+

For skippable in-stream ads, you only pay when someone watches 30 seconds or to the end (whichever comes first) — typical CPVs run $0.05–$0.25. For non-skippable and bumper formats, you pay per thousand impressions (CPM), typically $5–$20. Budgets can start from $500/month and scale as you identify what's working.

Can YouTube Ads work for local or service businesses?+

Yes. Geographic targeting means you can run YouTube campaigns to postcodes, suburbs, or radius around your location. Service businesses — trades, healthcare, home services — use YouTube effectively to build trust and recognition before a prospect searches. It's particularly powerful when combined with a Search retargeting strategy.