- Upload your video to YouTube first, then link it inside Google Ads when creating a video campaign.
- Google supports five formats: skippable, non-skippable, bumper (6s), in-feed, and YouTube Shorts.
- Use 1080p resolution and match 16:9, 9:16, or 1:1 aspect ratio to the placements you're targeting.
- Google Asset Studio lets you build a video from images and text with no footage required.
- For Performance Max, upload at least one vertical 9:16 video between 10 and 60 seconds for Shorts eligibility.
Google video ads run on YouTube, Google TV, and across Google's video partner network. Getting one live takes three things: the right video file, the right campaign setup, and the right creative assets. This guide covers all three.
What Is a Google Video Ad?
A Google video ad reaches viewers on YouTube, Google TV, and partner sites. Per Google's Ads Help Center, you choose a campaign objective first. That objective controls which ad formats are available to you.
Video campaign types and objectives
Four objectives are supported: Sales, Leads, Website traffic, and Awareness and consideration. Sales and Leads unlock direct-response formats. Awareness unlocks reach-focused formats like bumper ads.
Where Google video ads appear
Ads play before or during YouTube videos, inside YouTube search results, on Google TV, and across Google video partner websites.
Why video ads matter for performance
Video combines sight, sound, and motion in a way static images can't. Many advertisers run both short bumper ads and longer skippable formats together to cover awareness and conversion in a single campaign.
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Video Ad Formats Available in Google Ads
Google offers five core formats. Each serves a different goal.
Skippable in-stream ads
These play before or during a video. Viewers can skip after 5 seconds, per Google's Ads Help Center. No hard maximum length is enforced, but shorter ads keep more viewers engaged through the message.
Non-skippable in-stream ads
Standard non-skippable ads run 7 to 15 seconds. For connected TV placements, the limit extends to 30 seconds per Google's documentation.
Bumper ads (6-second)
Bumper ads are exactly 6 seconds, non-skippable. They work best for reinforcing a brand message quickly.
In-feed ads
In-feed ads appear in YouTube search results and the recommendations feed. Viewers choose to watch. A strong thumbnail drives clicks.
YouTube Shorts ads
Shorts ads run vertically (9:16 aspect ratio). Per Google's Ads Help Center, vertical videos must be between 10 and 60 seconds to qualify for Shorts placements in Performance Max campaigns.
Performance Max video requirements
Performance Max needs at least one video, minimum 10 seconds. Upload horizontal, square, and vertical versions to cover all placements. If you skip uploading video, Google AI auto-generates one from your images and text assets.
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Video Specifications and Requirements
Wrong specs get your creative cropped or rejected. Use these before you upload.
Resolution and aspect ratios
Recommended resolution is 1080p Full HD: 1920 x 1080 px horizontal, 1080 x 1920 px vertical, 1080 x 1080 px square. Minimum is 720p. Per Google's Ads Help Center, aspect ratios should be 16:9 for horizontal, 9:16 for vertical, and 1:1 for square.
Video length by format
- Skippable in-stream: no hard maximum
- Non-skippable standard: 7 to 15 seconds
- Non-skippable CTV: up to 30 seconds
- Bumper: 6 seconds
- Performance Max / Shorts: 10 to 60 seconds (vertical)
File formats and size limits
Google accepts MP4, MOV, WebM, and MPG. The file size limit is 256 GB. Upload through YouTube. YouTube handles transcoding on its end.
Safe zones for text and logos
Keep logos, text, and CTAs away from the edges. Overlays and platform buttons cover corner areas across different placements. Design your key message toward the center of the frame.
Thumbnail specifications
Thumbnails should be 1280 x 720 px (16:9). Minimum size is 1280 x 640 px. Keep file size under 2 MB.
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How to Create a Google Video Ad: Three Methods
Method 1: Upload your own YouTube video
Upload your video to YouTube first. In Google Ads, create a new video campaign, paste the YouTube URL, and set your targeting and budget.
Method 2: Use the Google Ads video creation tool
Go to Asset Studio > Asset Library > + Create new > Video. Pick a template, add your images, logos, text, and music. Preview with the Storyboard, then generate. The video saves to your Asset Library and links directly to your YouTube channel.
Method 3: Let Google AI auto-generate from your assets
For Performance Max, skip manual upload. Google AI builds a video from your images, headlines, and Merchant Center feed automatically. Review before the campaign goes live.
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Step-by-Step: Create a Video Using Google Ads Asset Library
Six steps from zero to campaign-ready.
Step 1: Access Asset Studio and select Video
Open Google Ads. Go to Tools > Asset Studio > Asset Library. Click + Create new, then select Video.
Step 2: Choose a template
Pick from Google's pre-built templates. Each template adapts to your brand images and colors.
Step 3: Add your assets (images, logos, colors, text)
Upload product images, your logo, and brand colors. Add headlines and CTAs. Select from Google's predefined fonts and royalty-free music library.
Step 4: Preview and customize with the Storyboard
The Storyboard shows a frame-by-frame preview. Adjust timing, text placement, and asset order before you commit.
Step 5: Generate and upload to YouTube
Click Generate. The tool exports the video and connects it to your linked YouTube channel. You need Editor, Manager, or Owner rights on the channel.
Step 6: Use in your campaign
The video saves to Asset Library. Select it when building your video campaign. You can reuse it across multiple campaigns.
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Best Practices for Google Video Ads
Start with 1080p resolution for quality
Lower resolution risks rejection or poor rendering. 1080p gives you headroom across all placements.
Design for multiple aspect ratios
Build 16:9, 9:16, and 1:1 versions. Each aspect ratio unlocks additional placements.
Keep your message in the safe zone
Text and CTAs in the center stay visible regardless of placement overlays or UI elements.
Use multiple video lengths for different placements
Pair a 6-second bumper with a 15-second non-skippable and a longer skippable version. You cover awareness, consideration, and action in one campaign.
Optimize for mobile-first viewing
Most YouTube viewers are on mobile. Vertical video fills the screen. Lead with your key message in the first three seconds.
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How Coinis Accelerates Your Video Ad Creation
Google's tools handle the video build. Coinis handles what feeds into it.
Generate on-brand visual assets with Image Ads workflow
The Image Ads workflow turns a product URL into high-quality ad images. Drop those directly into Google's video creation tool as your visual assets. No photo shoot needed.
Write headlines and CTAs with AI Copywriting
AI Copywriting generates platform-ready headlines and CTAs in seconds. Paste them straight into your video template's text fields.
Ensure consistency across videos with Brand Profile
Brand Profile stores your fonts, colors, tone, and logo. Every image and copy output matches your brand, no matter how many video variations you produce.
Coinis publishes directly to Meta today. Google Ads direct publishing is on the roadmap. Use Coinis to build your creative assets, then bring them into Google Ads Asset Studio.
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Or let Coinis do it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a YouTube channel to run Google video ads?
Yes. Your video must be hosted on YouTube before you can use it in Google Ads. You need Editor, Manager, or Owner rights on the YouTube channel to connect it to your ad account.
What is the best video format for Google Ads?
MP4 at 1080p (1920x1080 px for horizontal) is the safest choice. It meets the recommended resolution, works across all formats, and keeps file size manageable.