How to Run Google Ads Video Campaigns Only on YouTube

By: Jyll Saskin Gales, Google Ads Coach

Want to make sure your video ads only appear on YouTube? While Google Ads video campaigns can run on various platforms, you can easily restrict them to YouTube. Let me guide you through the process step-by-step.

Why focus your Google Ads on YouTube?

YouTube is the world's second-largest search engine and a massive video-sharing platform with billions of users. By focusing your video ads exclusively on YouTube, you can:

• Reach a highly engaged audience: YouTube users are actively seeking out video content, making them more receptive to your message.
• Target specific interests: YouTube offers robust targeting options, allowing you to reach viewers based on their interests, demographics, and viewing habits.
• Maximize your budget: By restricting your ads to YouTube, you can ensure your budget is spent on reaching the most relevant audience.

How to Create a YouTube-Only Campaign in Google Ads

Here's how to create a Google Ads video campaign that runs exclusively on YouTube:

1. Start a New Campaign: In your Google Ads account, click the "+" button to begin creating your video campaign.

2. Choose "Video" as Your Campaign Type: Select "Video" from the list of campaign types. This indicates that you want to create a campaign specifically for video ads.

3. Select Your Campaign Subtype: Choose the video campaign subtype that best aligns with your advertising goals. If you're unsure, start with the "Video views" subtype, or check out this article How to Choose the Right Google Ads Video Campaign Subtype

4. Uncheck "Video partners" in Campaign Settings: This is the crucial step! In your campaign settings, you'll find an option to include "Video partners." Uncheck this box to ensure your ads only run on YouTube.

How to Create a YouTube-Only Demand Gen Campaign in Google Ads

Did you know that running a Video campaign is not the only way to run a video ad campaign in Google Ads?

Confusing, I know.

If you want to run videos ads only on YouTube, and you want to optimize for clicks or conversions instead of views or impressions, then you should run a Demand Gen campaign. Here's how to do just that, and ensure it only runs on YouTube:

1. Start a New Campaign: In your Google Ads account, click the "+" button to begin creating your video campaign.

2. Choose "Demand Gen" as Your Campaign Type: Select "Demand Gen" from the list of campaign types. 

3. In the Ad Group Settings, under "Channels," select "Let me choose": This will let you select exactly which channels you'd like your ads to be eligible to show up on. The choices are YouTube, Discover, Display network and Gmail. Within YouTube, you can select from YouTube in-stream, YouTube in-feed and YouTube Shorts.

4. Uncheck "Display Network," "Gmail" and "Discovery" in Campaign Settings: This is the crucial step! Now, your Demand Gen campaign will only be eligible to serve ads on YouTube.

5. Add a Video ad: It's possible to show image ads on YouTube, too, so if you want to only run video ads on YouTube, be sure you only include video ads in your Demand Gen campaign.

That's it! By following these simple steps, you can guarantee that your video ads are only shown to your target audience on YouTube, either with a Video campaign or a Demand Gen campaign.