You can create YouTube Shorts ads directly within Google Ads by selecting a campaign type that supports the Shorts placement, including:

• Video Reach Campaigns (VRC)
• Video View Campaigns (VVC)
• Demand Gen
• App Campaigns
• Performance Max

Video Reach Campaigns (Efficient Reach) and Video View Campaigns are eligible to run exclusively on Shorts by opting into “Multi-format ads” and specifically selecting the “YouTube Shorts” placement.

While Demand Gen, App, and Performance Max campaigns heavily utilize the Shorts feed, they are “cross-network” by nature and generally do not allow you to toggle off other placements to run exclusively on Shorts. To get started, select your campaign goal (such as Sales or Brand Awareness) and upload a vertical video with a 9:16 aspect ratio. Google’s AI will automatically identify the format and serve it within the Shorts feed to reach your target audience.

To ensure your YouTube Shorts ads look their best and are eligible to run, adhere to these creative requirements and technical specifications:

• Aspect ratio: Vertical (9:16) is recommended and considered standard. If you only have a horizontal or square asset, you can use our Video Enhancement feature to generate vertical video assets from your existing horizontal assets.
• Resolution: 1080x1920 pixels (for 9:16)
• Length: Shorts ads can be up to 3 minutes long. However, it is recommended to use <60 second video ads to match user behavior when watching Shorts. You can use our Trim video tool to generate shorter video from your existing creatives.
• Safe zones: To prevent your message from being obscured, try to keep text, logos, and CTAs out of the “red zones.” Avoid placing critical elements in the top 10%, the bottom 25%, and the right-hand 10% of the frame, where the channel name, caption, and engagement buttons reside.

Successful YouTube Shorts ads rely on capturing attention quickly in a vertical, sound-on environment. Follow the “ABCD” framework:

• Attention: Hook viewers in the first few seconds with action, a question, or a surprising visual.
• Branding: Introduce your brand or product early and naturally.
• Connection: Use an authentic, relatable tone. Storytelling devices like humor, surprise, and intrigue often perform well.
• Direction: End your Shorts ad with a clear call to action (CTA) telling viewers exactly what to do next, like “Shop now” or “Sign up.”

You can track the performance of your Shorts ads directly in your Google Ads reporting dashboard. You’ll have access to standard video metrics to evaluate success, including:

• Views and Impressions: The total number of times your ad was displayed and viewed.
• Engagement: Clicks, click-through rate (CTR), and view-through rate (VTR), which measure how effectively your creative captures attention.
• Conversions: Sales, leads, or sign-ups attributed to your ad.
  

To analyze specific performance, you can segment your reports by placement. This allows you to isolate and compare how your ads perform within the YouTube Shorts feed versus other placements like the YouTube Home feed or In-stream videos.

YouTube Shorts ads are versatile and support a wide range of business goals across the entire marketing funnel. Depending on the objectives you choose, Google AI can optimize your campaign for:

• Awareness and Consideration: Use Video Reach Campaigns to maximize your brand’s scale or Video View Campaigns to encourage potential customers to explore your products across all YouTube formats, including Shorts.
• Sales and Leads: Drive direct conversions or capture high-quality leads. This is most effectively achieved using Demand Gen or Performance Max campaigns, which prioritize action-oriented placements.
• Website Traffic: Encourage users to visit your site. Demand Gen campaigns are a top choice here, as they are specifically engineered to turn passive scrolling into measurable site visits.
• App Promotion: Drive app installs and engagement through a dedicated App Campaign.