The Ultimate Guide to Creating Engaging YouTube Shorts Ads

Learn how YouTube Shorts ads can help you expand your reach. Create ads that stand out, driving more traffic to your content with ease. Moreover, use the CapCut desktop video editor to make engaging short video ads with advanced tools.

CapCut
CapCut
Jun 16, 2025

YouTube short ads are short, vertical videos that last up to 60 seconds. They are designed for quick, engaging content that captures attention fast. As short-form videos gain prominence in digital marketing, companies use YouTube Shorts ad campaigns to reach new audiences, boost engagement, and drive sales.

In this article, you will learn how to create YouTube Shorts ads that work and help your brand to upscale.

Table of content
  1. Types of YouTube Ads
  2. How ads on YouTube Shorts help in targeting the audience
  3. The specs of YouTube Shorts ads
  4. How to advertise on YouTube Shorts
  5. How much does advertising on YouTube shorts cost
  6. Make engaging YouTube Shorts ad videos: CapCut desktop
  7. Conclusion
  8. FAQs

Types of YouTube Ads

Advertising on YouTube provides a range of formats to meet different marketing needs. Each format has its benefits, depending on your campaign goals and how you want to engage your audience.

    1
  1. Skippable ads

Skippable ads let users skip after 5 seconds. They appear before, during, or after a video. This format is great for brands who want viewers to engage, but it’s important to capture attention quickly.

Types of YouTube Ads-Skippable ads
    2
  1. Non-Skippable ads

These ads can’t be skipped and usually last 15 to 20 seconds. They make sure the viewer watches the full message and ensure the ad is seen in its entirety. Non-skippable ads are perfect for brands with a strong, clear message to deliver.

Types of YouTube Ads-Non-Skippable ads
    3
  1. Bumper ads

Bumper ads are short, lasting only 6 seconds. They are non-skippable and designed for quick, memorable messages. This format is ideal for brands that want to create a strong impact in a very short time.

Types of YouTube Ads-Bumper ads
    4
  1. Masthead ads

Masthead ads appear at the top of the YouTube homepage and are visible to a large audience. These are perfect for big campaigns or new product launches, providing maximum exposure across YouTube.

Types of YouTube Ads-Masthead ads
    5
  1. YouTube Shorts ads

YouTube Shorts ads are 60-second videos shown within the Shorts feed. These ads are ideal for reaching people who are already engaging with short-form content. They provide a direct way to connect with users in a fast-paced environment.

YouTube Short Ads

How ads on YouTube Shorts help in targeting the audience

YouTube Shorts ads help target the right audience using YouTube's smart algorithm. The platform shows ads on Shorts based on viewers' interests, age, and location. This ensures your ad reaches people who are most likely to engage. By tracking watch history and actions, YouTube focuses on users who match your target. You can also refine targeting with keywords and filters for better results.

The specs of YouTube Shorts ads

To create effective advertising YouTube Shorts, there are several important specifications to keep in mind. These specs ensure your ad looks great and performs well on the platform.

  • Ad length

YouTube Short ads can be up to 60 seconds long. The short length helps grab attention quickly and makes it perfect for a fast-paced viewing experience. So, keep it brief and impactful.

  • Aspect ratio

The recommended aspect ratio for YouTube Shorts ads is 9:16. This vertical format fits perfectly with mobile screens, where most users watch Shorts. It's essential to design your video for a smooth, mobile-first experience.

  • Resolution

To ensure your ad looks sharp, aim for a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. This high-quality resolution ensures the video appears crisp, even on larger devices, while maintaining the integrity of the content.

  • Frame rate

A frame rate of 30 fps (frames per second) is ideal for YouTube Shorts ads. It provides smooth motion without causing lag or distortion and makes the video more enjoyable to watch.

  • Video format

MP4 is the most recommended video format for YouTube Shorts ads. It provides a good balance of quality and file size, ensuring quick uploads and smooth playback across devices.

How to advertise on YouTube Shorts

To run ads on YouTube Shorts, you need to follow a few simple steps to set up and launch your campaign. This method ensures that your ad reaches the right audience, engages them effectively, and drives results. Here’s a quick, step-by-step guide to getting started.

    STEP 1
  1. Export and share

Before starting, sign into your Google Ads account. If you don’t have one, create a new account. This is the platform where you’ll manage your ads and track their performance.

Signing into a Google Ads account to run ads on YouTube Shorts
    STEP 2
  1. Export and share

Once logged in, go to the campaign section and click on the "Create Campaign" button. Choose the "Video" campaign type and select YouTube as your target platform. You will be able to customize your campaign and link it to your Shorts ad.

Creating a video campaign for YouTube Shorts ads
    STEP 3
  1. Export and share

Choose your bidding strategy based on your goals. You can pick from options like "Maximize Conversions" or "Target CPV (Cost Per View)." This determines how you will pay for ad views and engagements.

Selecting a bidding strategy to run ads on Shorts
    STEP 4
  1. Export and share

Set your audience parameters based on demographics, interests, or behaviors. You can also refine your target by location, age, gender, or device. This step is crucial to ensure your ad reaches the right viewers.

Defining your target audience to run effective ads
    STEP 5
  1. Export and share

Upload your YouTube Shorts video and finalize your campaign settings. Review everything and then launch your campaign. Your ad will begin running, targeting the audience you’ve set up.

Launching YouTube Shorts ad campaign

How much does advertising on YouTube shorts cost

The cost of advertising on YouTube Shorts can vary depending on your bidding strategy and target audience. On average, the cost-per-view (CPV) for YouTube Shorts ads can range from $0.05 to $0.30 per view. However, the total cost will depend on factors like the competitiveness of your industry, the size of your audience, and the campaign's duration.

Make engaging YouTube Shorts ad videos: CapCut desktop

CapCut desktop video editor is a powerful, user-friendly tool designed to help you create engaging YouTube Shorts ads quickly and easily. With features that enable precise editing, text-to-speech conversion, and quick transformations, CapCut streamlines the video creation process. Whether you're adjusting aspect ratios or adding unique captions, CapCut ensures your content stands out and captures attention.

The interface of CapCut desktop video editor - the best software to create short advertising videos for YouTube

Key features

  • Transform long videos into short clips

With CapCut, you can easily cut down long video to shorts clips. This is perfect for creating engaging YouTube Shorts without losing important content.

  • Adjust the aspect ratio of videos

The video resizer in CapCut helps you adjust videos to fit the 9:16 aspect ratio ideal for YouTube Shorts. This ensures your videos look great on mobile screens and catches users' attention.

  • Precise text-to-speech conversion

CapCut enables smooth and accurate text-to-speech conversion, which helps you add voiceovers to your videos without needing a microphone or voice talent.

  • Generate unique videos with scripts

CapCut lets users input text prompts, which the AI then transforms into dynamic videos by selecting relevant stock footage and adding suitable background music.

  • Versatile auto-caption generator

Auto-caption generator makes adding subtitles easy, which enhances accessibility and ensures viewers can follow along, even with the sound off.

How to make a short video ad in CapCut

Before creating your YouTube Shorts ad, make sure you’ve installed CapCut on your PC. If not, you can easily download it by clicking the button below.

    STEP 1
  1. Export and share

Open the CapCut and enter the editing interface. Click the "Import" button on the right side of the screen. Select the video you want to use for your ad and drag it into the timeline.

Importing video in the CapCut desktop video editor
    STEP 2
  1. Export and share

Select the video in the timeline and go to the "Filters." Select the filter you like from the suitable category and adjust its intensity. You can also trim the video to fit within 15-60 seconds. For better sound, use the "Enhance voice" to improve audio quality. Add captions using the "Captions">"Auto captions" generator to make your content accessible.

Editing video ads in the CapCut desktop video editor
    STEP 3
  1. Export and share

Once you're done, click the "Export" button. Select your resolution, format, and other settings. Finally, click "Share" to post your video on YouTube.

Exporting video ads from the CapCut desktop video editor

Conclusion

To sum up, YouTube Shorts ads are a powerful tool for digital marketers. They help brands reach and engage audiences quickly with short-form videos. The key takeaways for running successful YouTube Shorts ads are capturing attention, prioritizing user experience, and improving your strategy.

If you want to create engaging YouTube Shorts ads, the CapCut desktop video editor is the ideal tool. It's easy to use and helps you make professional ads in no time.

FAQs

    1
  1. How often should I run YouTube Short ads for maximum impact?

To maximize the impact of Short YouTube ads, it's best to run them consistently but not too frequently. Aiming for 2-3 ads per week ensures you stay visible without overwhelming your audience. Monitor performance and adjust frequency based on engagement and results. If you want to create these impactful YouTube Short ads with ease, the CapCut desktop video editor is the perfect tool.

    2
  1. What metrics indicate the success of short video campaigns?

Metrics such as view count, engagement rate (likes, comments, shares), and click-through rate (CTR) are key to measuring the success of short video campaigns. Additionally, tracking watch time and retention rate shows how well your content holds the audience's attention. However, it's important to align these metrics with your specific campaign goals. Furthermore, to create high-quality, engaging videos for your campaigns, the CapCut desktop video editor can help streamline the process.

    3
  1. How do platform algorithms affect the reach of ads in shorts?

Platform algorithms play a big role in how far ads reach YouTube Shorts. They determine which videos are shown to users based on their interests, behavior, and engagement patterns. The more relevant and engaging your ad, the higher the chances it will be shown. However, understanding these algorithms can help improve your ad's performance. Furthermore, using the CapCut desktop video editor can help create videos that better capture your audience's attention.