YouTube Ads & Video Advertising Services
All ServicesWith over 100 hours of video uploaded to the platform every minute, and a user base of 2 billion, YouTube offers a powerful way to supplement your existing paid advertising strategy.
- IN A RUSH? JUMP AHEAD
- Why use YouTube Ads?
- Types of video advertising
- How can Platform81 help?
Not only do YouTube ads offer a fantastic reach across other platforms such as Google partner sites, but they are also a great way to get in front of a larger audience and maximise your potential reach.
However, if you want to be seen on this ever-growing video platform, you need quality video content that will cut through the noise and engage with your target users. At Platform81, our marketing team can help you identify relevant user segments and create the kind of content that captures your audience’s attention.
Why use YouTube Ads?
While the sheer volume of users makes YouTube an essential part of any Paid Search marketing campaign, the real benefits come from the wealth of targeting options available and the overall cost versus the quantity of views.
Since YouTube is owned by Google, it shares many of the core features of Google Ads, and benefits from the same robust targeting options. These include demographic, interest and geographic audiences, and provides an easy way to reach the most qualified leads with your killer video content.
We will help you pinpoint the most relevant audience segments to reach the right customers at the right time, while aligning your YouTube ads with your overall campaign goals and providing you with a measurable return on your investment.
Types of video advertising
There are multiple different kinds of formats available for YouTube ad campaigns, including skippable and non-skippable, as well as bumper ads.
We understand that the first 5 seconds of any video ad are the most important for capturing attention and building a connection with your audience, and our team of content creators know how to create beautiful, bespoke video content that will resonate with your target demographics.
Our team will work with you to choose the most relevant formats for your campaign objectives, whether those goals are to raise brand exposure and awareness, drive sales, or complement a larger video campaign.
How can Platform81 help?
We don’t simply set your campaign in motion then let it stagnate – we actively monitor the progress of your video campaigns against key areas such as view rate and play rate. By continuously optimising the targeting of each of your YouTube ad campaigns, we ensure you are making the best possible use of your budget on the platform, while garnering the most relevant and qualified leads.
Our precision targeting and continual refinement based on what the data is telling us means a vastly increased chance of a conversion, and a real return on your investment.
With our extensive expertise in video content creation and our thorough analysis of Google’s rich data points, we can help you position your brand in front of the right people at the right time.
Testimonials
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YouTube Ads FAQ
Is YouTube actually serious for business? I thought it was just for cat videos.
We hear this a lot. While there are plenty of cat videos (and who doesn’t love them?), YouTube is actually the second-largest search engine in the world, right behind Google. It’s where people go to learn, research products, and find solutions. If you’re not there, you’re missing out on a massive audience that is actively looking for answers—answers your business could be providing.
Do I need a Hollywood budget and a film crew?
Not at all. In fact, polished, super-slick TV-style ads can sometimes look a bit out of place on YouTube. Authentic, “real” content often performs better. A well-scripted video shot on a decent smartphone or a simple camera setup can do wonders. It’s about the message, not the special effects. We can help you script and plan creative that converts without needing a Spielberg-level budget.
What if everyone just skips my ad after 5 seconds?
Here’s the clever bit: with “TrueView” ads, if a viewer skips your ad before the 30-second mark (or the end, if it’s shorter), you don’t pay a penny. That means you get the first 5 seconds of branding completely free. It forces us to be creative—we make sure your brand name and core message are front and centre right at the start, so even the “skippers” know exactly who you are.
Can I target people watching my competitors' videos?
You absolutely can. It’s one of our favourite strategies. We can target specific YouTube channels or even individual videos. So, if your competitor has a popular channel, we can place your ad right before their videos start playing. It’s a cheeky (but perfectly legal) way to steal a bit of their thunder and get your offer in front of their audience.
Is it cheaper than TV advertising?
Massively so. TV advertising is a “spray and pray” approach—you pay a fortune to show your ad to everyone, whether they’re interested or not. YouTube lets us be laser-focused. You only pay to reach people who fit your exact demographics, interests, and location. Your budget works much harder because it’s not being wasted on people who were never going to buy from you anyway.
Can I target people based on what they search for on Google?
Yes, and this is a game-changer. Because Google owns YouTube, the two talk to each other. We can set up “Custom Intent” audiences, which means we can show your video ads to people who have recently searched for specific keywords on Google. If someone searches for “emergency plumber” on Google, we can make sure your plumbing ad pops up next time they open YouTube.
I have a really niche B2B product. Will this work for me?
YouTube isn’t just for selling trainers and makeup. It’s a huge hub for B2B learning. Decision-makers watch tutorials, industry news, and reviews just like everyone else. We can target by “Topics” or “Affinity Audiences” to ensure your ads are showing up on relevant industry channels, getting you in front of the people who sign the cheques.
Do I need a Google Ads account to run YouTube ads?
Yes, it’s all managed through the same system. If you’re already running Google Search or Display ads, we can manage your YouTube campaigns from the exact same dashboard. This is great for tracking because we can see how your video ads are helping to drive searches and conversions across your entire marketing mix.
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