What are expandable companion ads on YouTube?

Expandable companion ads on YouTube are a type of advertising format that provides additional interactive elements alongside video content on the platform. These ads appear as overlay units that expand to reveal more content when clicked or interacted with by viewers.

Here are some key features of expandable companion ads on YouTube:

1. **Expansion**: Expandable companion ads start as smaller overlay units that appear alongside or on top of the video content being watched on YouTube. When viewers interact with the ad, typically by clicking on it, the ad expands to reveal more content or interactive elements.

2. **Additional Information**: The expanded ad unit may contain additional information about the advertised product or service, such as descriptions, pricing details, specifications, or links to relevant web pages.

3. **Interactive Elements**: Expandable companion ads often include interactive elements that allow viewers to engage with the ad content in various ways. These elements can include clickable buttons, links, forms, product carousels, videos, and more.

4. **Call-to-Action (CTA)**: Expandable companion ads typically feature prominent calls-to-action prompting viewers to take specific actions, such as visiting a website, learning more about a product, making a purchase, or signing up for a service.

5. **Targeting and Personalization**: YouTube offers sophisticated targeting options for expandable companion ads, allowing advertisers to reach specific audiences based on demographics, interests, and browsing behavior. This targeting helps ensure that ads are relevant to the viewers who see them.

6. **Engagement Metrics**: Advertisers can track the performance of expandable companion ads on YouTube using analytics tools provided by the platform. Metrics such as click-through rate, engagement rate, and conversion rate help advertisers measure the effectiveness of their ad campaigns and optimize their targeting and messaging accordingly.

Overall, expandable companion ads on YouTube provide advertisers with a powerful way to engage viewers with interactive and relevant content, driving deeper engagement and helping achieve their marketing objectives on the platform.

Expandable companion ads on YouTube are a type of companion ad that can be expanded by viewers to reveal additional content or interactive elements. These ads appear alongside or near the main video ad unit on a YouTube watch page.

Expandable companion ads on YouTube are typically priced using a cost per engagement (CPE) model, which means that advertisers only pay when viewers actively engage with the ad by expanding it. This ensures that advertisers are only charged for engaged viewers, rather than simply for impressions.

When a viewer hovers their mouse over an expandable companion ad on YouTube, the ad will expand to reveal additional content or interactive elements. This can include things like product demonstrations, additional images or videos, or even games or quizzes. The expanded ad can also include a call-to-action (CTA) encouraging viewers to take some further action, such as visiting the advertiser's website or downloading a mobile app.

Expandable companion ads on YouTube can be a powerful way for advertisers to engage viewers and provide them with more detailed information about their products or services. By offering interactive and engaging content, these ads can help to increase brand awareness, consideration, and conversion. However, it's important for advertisers to ensure that their expandable companion ads are well-designed and provide value to viewers, as poorly executed ads can be annoying or intrusive.