YouTube Shorts Ads: The Underrated Opportunity

TikTok has the hype. Instagram has the influencers. But YouTube Shorts has over 50 Billion daily views. And more importantly, it has Google's Data.

The Intent Layer

The biggest difference between a TikTok viewer and a YouTube Shorts viewer is intent. On YouTube, users are often in a "Learning" mindset.

• TikTok: "Distract me."
• YouTube: "Teach me how to fix my sink." -> [Shorts Ad for Wrench].

Targeting Power

You can target Shorts ads based on:

• Search History: People who just Googled "Best CRM software" see your CRM Short.
• In-Market Segments: People actively looking to buy a car.
• Channel Affinities: People who subscribe to competitors.

Creative Strategy

Shorts ads are jarring. You are scrolling through organic clips and... BOOM. An ad. You have 1 second to justify your existence. Best Practice: DO NOT use a TV commercial cut-down. Use a creator-led, face-to-camera style. "Stop scrolling if you want to learn X."

Scale

YouTube is on every TV. Shorts are now watching on TV screens. This is a brand new inventory type: "Vertical Video on the Big Screen." It's uncluttered and high-attention.