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The complete list of YouTube ad specifications

Video ads use videos for better engagement with users. Video ads are subject to the standard Google Ads policies and the requirements below. Note that these requirements apply to in-stream ads, video discovery ads, non-skippable in-stream ads, and bumper ads.


To find specs and related details for creating video ads, you’re at the right place.

Skippable in-stream ads

When should I use this ad format?

Use skippable in-stream ads when you have video content you’d like to promote before, during, or after other videos on YouTube and across websites and apps running on Google video partners.

How does the ad format work?
Skippable in-stream ads play before, during, or after other videos. After 5 seconds, the viewer has an option to skip the ad.

\Where does the ad format appear?
Skippable in-stream ads appear on YouTube watch pages and across websites and apps running on Google video partners.

Non-skippable in-stream ads

When should I use this ad format?
Use non-skippable in-stream ads when you have video content you’d like to promote before, during, or after other videos on YouTube and across websites and apps running on Google video partners and you want viewers to see the entire message without skipping your video.

How does the ad format work?
Non-skippable in-stream ads are 15 seconds (or shorter) and play before, during, or after other videos. Viewers don’t have the option to skip the ad.

Where does the ad format appear?
Non-skippable in-stream ads appear on YouTube videos and across websites and apps running on Google video partners.

In-feed video ads

When should I use this ad format?
Use in-feed video ads to promote video content in places of discovery, including next to related YouTube videos, as part of a YouTube search result, or on the YouTube mobile homepage.

How does the ad format work?
In-feed video ads consist of a thumbnail image from your video with some text. While the exact size and appearance of the ad may vary depending on where it appears, in-feed video ads always invite people to click to watch the video. The video then plays on the YouTube watch page or channel homepage.

Where does the ad format appear?
In-feed video ads appear:

  • On YouTube search results
  • Alongside related YouTube videos
  • On the YouTube mobile homepage

Bumper ads

When should I use this ad format?
Use bumper ads when you want to reach viewers broadly with a short, memorable message.

How does the ad format work?
Bumper ads are 6 seconds (or shorter) and play before, during, or after another video. Viewers don’t have the option to skip the ad.

Where does the ad format appear?
Bumper ads appear on YouTube videos and across websites and apps running on Google video partners.

Outstream ads

When should I use this ad format?
Use outstream ads when you want to expand the reach of your video ads on mobile, helping you reach more customers.

How does the ad format work?
Outstream ads begin playing with the sound off. Viewers can tap the ad to unmute the video. Outstream ads are designed to increase your video reach at an efficient cost.

Where does the ad format appear?
Outstream ads are mobile-only ads and only appear on websites and apps running on Google video partners. Outstream ads aren’t available on YouTube.

Outstream ads can run across a variety of different mobile placements. For mobile web placements, outstream ads appear in banners. In mobile apps, outstream ads appear in banners, interstitials, in-feed, native, as well as in both portrait and fullscreen modes.

Masthead ads

When should I use this ad format?
Use this format when you want to drive awareness for a new product or service or reach a massive audience in a short period of time (for example, a sales event).

(Masthead ads format is not available)