What types of YouTube ads are available?

YouTube offers several types of ads to accommodate different advertising goals, formats, and audience preferences. Here are the main types of YouTube ads available to advertisers:

### 1. Skippable In-Stream Ads (TrueView)
- **Format**: Video ads that play before, during, or after other YouTube videos.
- **Viewership**: Viewers have the option to skip the ad after 5 seconds.
- **Cost Model**: Advertisers are charged when viewers watch at least 30 seconds of the ad (or the full duration if it's shorter) or engage with the ad by clicking on a call-to-action (CTA) overlay or companion banner.
- **Benefits**: Provides advertisers with cost-effective reach and engagement, as they only pay when viewers choose to watch or interact with the ad.

### 2. Non-Skippable In-Stream Ads
- **Format**: Video ads that play before, during, or after other YouTube videos.
- **Viewership**: Viewers are required to watch the entire ad before they can continue watching the video.
- **Cost Model**: Advertisers are typically charged on a cost-per-thousand-impressions (CPM) basis, where they pay for every thousand ad impressions served.
- **Benefits**: Ensures guaranteed ad exposure and message delivery to viewers, but may have higher costs compared to skippable ads.

### 3. Bumper Ads
- **Format**: Short, non-skippable video ads that play before, during, or after other YouTube videos.
- **Duration**: Typically up to 6 seconds in length.
- **Viewership**: Viewers cannot skip bumper ads and must watch the entire duration.
- **Cost Model**: Advertisers are charged on a CPM basis, similar to non-skippable in-stream ads.
- **Benefits**: Ideal for delivering quick, impactful messages with high frequency, capturing viewers' attention in a short amount of time.

### 4. Video Discovery Ads (formerly In-Display Ads)
- **Format**: Thumbnail ads that appear alongside other YouTube videos in search results, on the YouTube homepage, or as related videos on the watch page.
- **Engagement**: Viewers click on the ad thumbnail to watch the video.
- **Cost Model**: Advertisers are charged when viewers click to watch the ad.
- **Benefits**: Drives traffic and engagement by capturing viewers' interest as they actively search for or browse relevant content.

### 5. Masthead Ads
- **Format**: Premium ad placements that appear prominently at the top of the YouTube homepage for a 24-hour period.
- **Visibility**: Masthead ads autoplay without sound and may include a video or static image.
- **Cost Model**: Typically sold on a fixed-cost basis for the 24-hour period.
- **Benefits**: Provides maximum visibility and exposure for major product launches, events, or branding campaigns, reaching a broad audience on the YouTube homepage.

### 6. Outstream Ads
- **Format**: Video ads designed for mobile devices that appear on partner sites and apps within the Google Display Network.
- **Engagement**: Ads autoplay with sound off and expand to full screen when tapped by the viewer.
- **Cost Model**: Advertisers are charged on a viewable CPM (vCPM) basis, paying for ads that are at least 50% in-view on the user's screen for at least two consecutive seconds.
- **Benefits**: Extends reach beyond YouTube to reach audiences across various mobile apps and websites within the Google Display Network.

### Additional Options:
- **Overlay Ads**: Semi-transparent ads that appear overlaid on top of YouTube videos.
- **Mid-Roll Ads**: Video ads inserted into the middle of longer YouTube videos, similar to traditional TV commercial breaks.
- **Sponsored Product Placements**: Integrations of products or brands within YouTube videos themselves, typically through collaborations with creators.

Advertisers can choose from these diverse ad formats based on their campaign objectives, target audience, budget, and creative assets to effectively reach and engage with their audience on YouTube.

YouTube offers several types of ads that advertisers can use to promote their products, services, or brand messages to viewers on the platform. Here are the main types of YouTube ads available:

1. **TrueView In-Stream Ads**: TrueView in-stream ads are skippable video ads that play before, during, or after other YouTube videos. Viewers have the option to skip the ad after five seconds, and advertisers are only charged when viewers watch the ad for at least 30 seconds or interact with it.

2. **TrueView Discovery Ads**: TrueView discovery ads appear as suggested videos in YouTube search results, next to related videos, or on the YouTube homepage. These ads consist of a thumbnail image and headline, and advertisers are charged when viewers click to watch the ad.

3. **Bumper Ads**: Bumper ads are short, non-skippable video ads that play before, during, or after other YouTube videos. They are typically six seconds long and are designed to quickly capture viewers' attention with concise messaging.

4. **Outstream Ads**: Outstream ads are mobile-only video ads that appear on partner sites and apps within the Google Display Network (GDN). These ads play on mobile devices with the sound off and expand to full screen when tapped by the viewer.

5. **Non-Skippable In-Stream Ads**: Non-skippable in-stream ads play before, during, or after other YouTube videos and cannot be skipped by viewers. They are typically 15-20 seconds long and are designed to deliver a concise message to viewers without the option to skip.

6. **Masthead Ads**: Masthead ads appear at the top of the YouTube homepage for desktop and mobile users. They are highly visible and provide advertisers with maximum reach and exposure to YouTube's vast audience for a set period.

7. **Overlay Ads**: Overlay ads are semi-transparent banner ads that appear at the bottom of videos. They can include text, images, or a combination of both and are clickable, directing viewers to the advertiser's website or landing page.

8. **Sponsored Cards**: Sponsored cards display content that may be relevant to the video, such as products or related videos, and appear as small, rectangular cards that viewers can click to access additional information.

These are the main types of YouTube ads available to advertisers, each offering different formats, targeting options, and objectives to help advertisers reach their target audience and achieve their marketing goals on the platform.