YouTube In-Feed Video Ads Campaign
If your goal is to get more views, engagement, subscribers, or traffic on YouTube, a YouTube In-Feed Video Ads Campaign is one of the most effective ways to promote your video. These ads appear naturally inside places where users discover new content — making them perfect for boosting visibility.
What Are YouTube In-Feed Video Ads?
In-Feed Video Ads (previously known as Discovery Ads) are YouTube ads that appear in places where users browse or search for new videos.
Your ad shows as:
- A thumbnail + headline + description
- Alongside other organic videos
- Users must click to watch your video
These ads appear on:
- YouTube Search Results
- YouTube Home Feed
- YouTube Watch Next Feed (Sidebar)
- Mobile YouTube App feeds
This format is especially great for:
- Getting more views
- Growing your channel
- Boosting engagement (likes, comments, subscribers)
- Driving traffic to your landing page
- Educating users through longer videos
Why Use a YouTube In-Feed Video Ads Campaign?
✔ High-Quality Views
Users choose to click — meaning they’re genuinely interested.
✔ Great for Long Videos
Perfect for tutorials, product demos, reviews, explanations, and interviews.
✔ Boost Search-Based Discovery
Your video can appear when people search related topics.
✔ Excellent for YouTube Channel Growth
More views → more watch time → more subscribers.
✔ Works Like a “YouTube SEO Boost”
Helps videos gain traction just like trending content.
✔ Cheaper Than In-Stream Ads
You pay only when someone clicks to watch.
Where Do In-Feed Video Ads Appear?
Your ad can appear in:
1. YouTube Search Results
Ideal for keyword-based discovery.
2. YouTube Home Feed
Users browsing for fresh content will see your thumbnail.
3. YouTube Watch Next Feed
Appears next to the video the user is currently watching.
These placements increase visibility organically.
How to Set Up a YouTube In-Feed Video Ads Campaign
Step 1: Upload Your Video to YouTube
It can be:
- Product demo
- Tutorial
- Storytelling video
- App explainer
- Promo video
Step 2: Create a New Campaign
- Go to Google Ads
- Click New Campaign
- Choose:
- Product and Brand Consideration or
- Create a campaign without a goal
- Select Video
- Choose In-Feed Video Ad format
Step 3: Choose Your Bidding Strategy
Recommended:
- Maximum CPV (Cost Per View)
- Target CPM (for reach)
Max CPV works best for engagement campaigns.
Step 4: Target the Right Audience
YouTube allows powerful targeting options:
Interest-Based Audiences
- Fitness lovers
- Foodies
- Gamers
- Beauty & skincare audiences
Custom Audiences
Target people who searched for:
- “Best skincare routine”
- “Digital marketing tutorial”
- “Laptop unboxing”
Keywords
Perfect for search placements.
Remarketing
People who:
- Visited your website
- Engaged with your channel
- Viewed your past videos
Step 5: Enter the YouTube Video URL
Choose the video you want to promote.
Step 6: Add Ad Text
You need:
- Headline (max 100 chars)
- Two description lines
Keep it short and attention-grabbing.
Step 7: Set Budget & Launch
Choose:
- Daily budget
- Total campaign budget
Publish your campaign and YouTube begins promoting your video.
Real-Life Example
Example: “FitLife Home Workouts – YouTube Channel Promotion”
Goal: Get more people to watch your workout tutorial.
Setup:
- Ad Format: In-Feed Video Ad
- Video: “10-Minute Full Body Workout at Home”
- Audience:
- Fitness enthusiasts
- Custom: People watching “home workout” content
- Headline: “Try This 10-Minute Fat Burning Workout!”
- Placement: YouTube Search + Home Feed
- Bidding: Max CPV
Result:
- High-quality views
- Longer watch time
- Increased subscribers
- Boosted overall channel reach
This is exactly how creators and brands grow using In-Feed ads.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Choosing a weak thumbnail
❌ No clear headline or poor description
❌ Targeting too broad an audience
❌ Promoting a low-quality or low-engagement video
❌ Not optimizing for keywords
❌ Poor intro or slow start in the video
❌ No call-to-action inside the video
Best Practices for High-Performing In-Feed Ads
✔ Use a strong, eye-catching thumbnail
✔ Keep headline short and curiosity-driven
✔ Target keyword-based audiences
✔ Make the first 5 seconds of the video engaging
✔ Add a CTA inside the video (“Watch till the end”, “Subscribe now”)
✔ Test multiple thumbnails
✔ Use remarketing for better engagement
Final Notes
A YouTube In-Feed Video Ads Campaign is one of the best ways to grow your YouTube channel, boost engagement, and promote videos to the right audience. These ads feel natural and appear exactly where users look for new content — making them highly effective for brand discovery.
If your goal is more views, more engagement, and better video visibility, In-Feed ads are a perfect choice.