YouTube Video Ads: How to create Campaign in 2025

In 2025, YouTube remains the #1 video platform for digital marketing — especially across regions like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Jordan, where video content dominates user engagement. With billions of active viewers, YouTube ads offer businesses an unparalleled opportunity to reach their target audience with precision and impact. But to stand out, you need more than just uploading a video. You need a smart YouTube advertising strategy — one that uses the right ad format, the right message, and advanced video targeting tools. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about YouTube Video Ads, including pre-roll, bumper, and targeting techniques that drive results.  

Why YouTube Video Ads Are Essential for 2025

YouTube isn’t just entertainment — it’s the world’s second-largest search engine. Consumers in the Middle East now use YouTube to discover products, compare reviews, and make buying decisions. According to recent reports:

• Over 85% of internet users in the Gulf region watch YouTube weekly.
• Saudi Arabia ranks among the top countries for YouTube watch time per user. 

That means your audience is already on YouTube — all you need is to reach them strategically through paid video ads.  

Types of YouTube Video Ads

1. Pre-Roll Ads

These are the ads that play before a video starts. They’re skippable after 5 seconds, giving you a brief window to grab attention. Best for: Awareness and storytelling campaigns. Pro Tip: Start your ad with an emotional hook or brand visual — you only have 5 seconds to make them stay.

2. Bumper Ads

Short and impactful, bumper ads are non-skippable videos that last up to 6 seconds. Best for: Quick brand reminders, product launches, or event promotions. Pro Tip: Focus on one clear message — brand name + visual + call-to-action.

3. In-Feed Video Ads

These appear in YouTube search results or alongside recommended videos. Best for: Engagement campaigns and driving clicks to your channel or website.

4. Outstream Ads

Designed for mobile viewing, these ads appear on partner sites and apps outside YouTube. Best for: Expanding reach beyond YouTube while staying within Google’s ad ecosystem.  

YouTube Video Targeting: How to Reach the Right Audience

Targeting is the heart of YouTube advertising. You can reach your ideal audience by mixing demographics, interests, and intent-based targeting:

• Demographic Targeting: Choose age, gender, and location (e.g., Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait). 
• Affinity Audiences: Target users based on interests like fashion, tech, or travel. 
• In-Market Audiences: Reach people actively searching for products or services like yours. 
• Custom Intent Audiences: Create audiences based on specific keywords or competitor searches. 
• Remarketing: Re-engage users who visited your website or interacted with your previous videos. 

Expert Tip: Combine in-market and remarketing targeting for maximum ROI.  

How to Create a Winning YouTube Ad Campaign

Step 1: Define Your Goal

Do you want brand awareness, leads, or conversions? Your ad format and targeting will depend on this.

Step 2: Script for Attention

Start strong — the first 5 seconds determine your ad’s success. Use emotion, curiosity, or visuals to hook viewers.

Step 3: Optimize for Mobile

Most YouTube views in the Gulf and Jordan come from mobile devices. Keep text large, visuals clean, and calls-to-action visible.

Step 4: Test and Analyze

Run A/B tests with different intros, CTAs, and visuals. Measure performance using YouTube Analytics and Google Ads metrics.  

Key YouTube Ad Metrics You Should Track

To evaluate your campaign’s success, monitor these essential YouTube KPIs:

• View Rate (VR): Percentage of people who watched your ad.
• Watch Time: Average time users spent watching your ad.
• CTR (Click-Through Rate): Measures engagement and ad relevance.
• Conversions: Track how many users completed desired actions (sign-ups, purchases).
• CPV (Cost per View): Helps you understand the cost-efficiency of your campaigns. 

 How to Create YouTube Ads Step-by-Step (2025 Guide)

Creating a high-performing YouTube ad isn’t just about uploading a video — it’s about crafting a campaign that connects your brand story with your audience’s intent. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to do it the right way:

Step 1: Set Up a Google Ads Account

To run YouTube ads, you’ll use Google Ads, the platform that manages all YouTube advertising.

1. Go to ads.google.com. 
2. Sign in with your Google account and select “New Campaign.” 
3. Link your YouTube channel to the account for seamless tracking. 
4. Set up billing details and country preferences. 

💡 Expert Tip: Use the same Google account for YouTube and Google Ads to unify audience insights and conversion data.  

Step 2: Choose the Right Campaign Objective

Google Ads lets you select a marketing goal based on what you want to achieve:

• Sales → Encourage purchases or sign-ups. 
• Leads → Capture contact information through lead forms. 
• Website traffic → Drive clicks to your landing pages. 
• Brand awareness and reach → Increase visibility across YouTube and Google Display Network. 
• Product and brand consideration → Boost engagement and views. 

🎯 Pro Tip: For new brands, start with “Brand awareness” to build reach, then retarget viewers later with a “Sales” campaign.  

Step 3: Select a Campaign Type

Choose “Video” as your campaign type. Google Ads will then show you sub-options such as:

• Skippable in-stream ads (Pre-roll) 
• Non-skippable in-stream ads 
• Bumper ads (6 seconds) 
• In-feed video ads 
• Outstream or in-feed discovery ads 

Select the one that matches your goal and creative format.  

Step 4: Set Budget and Bidding Strategy

1. Define a daily budget or total campaign budget. 
2. Choose a bidding strategy: 
   • CPV (Cost per View): Pay when someone watches ≥ 30 seconds or engages. 
   • CPM (Cost per 1,000 impressions): Ideal for brand awareness. 
   • Target CPA (Cost per Acquisition): For conversion-focused campaigns. 
   • Maximize Conversions: Let Google AI optimize automatically. 

💰 Example: Start with a modest $10–$20/day and adjust based on view rate and engagement metrics.  

Step 5: Define Your Target Audience

Refine your reach with YouTube’s advanced targeting layers:

• Location: Target countries, regions, or cities (e.g., Riyadh, Amman, Dubai). 
• Demographics: Age, gender, parental status, income. 
• Interests & Affinities: Lifestyle, tech enthusiasts, travel lovers, etc. 
• Keywords or topics: Appear near relevant video content. 
• Custom Intent Audiences: Reach users searching for specific products or competitors. 
• Remarketing: Re-engage people who visited your site or channel. 

📌 Expert Tip: Combine in-market + remarketing audiences for higher conversion efficiency.  

Step 6: Upload Your Ad Creative

1. Upload your video to your YouTube channel (public or unlisted). 
2. Copy the video URL into the Google Ads setup. 
3. Add a headline, call-to-action, and final URL (landing page). 
4. Customize ad elements like companion banners or end screens. 

🎥 Creative Tip: Keep intros engaging — use movement, a human face, and brand visuals in the first 5 seconds.  

Step 7: Add Tracking & Conversion Goals

1. Set up conversion tracking using the Google Ads tag or Google Tag Manager. 
2. Link Google Analytics 4 and YouTube Analytics for deeper insights. 
3. Define measurable goals: purchases, leads, website visits, etc. 

📊 Trust Tip: Transparent data tracking shows performance honesty — a key E-E-A-T trust signal.  

Step 8: Launch, Monitor & Optimize

Once live, monitor performance regularly:

• View Rate (VR) – how many users watched. 
• Watch Time – engagement depth. 
• CTR (Click-Through Rate) – interest level. 
• Conversions & ROAS – actual results. 

Run A/B tests on thumbnails, CTAs, or video lengths. Pause low performers and reallocate budget to winning ads.  

Real-World Example: Successful YouTube Ad Campaign in the GCC

A fashion brand in Saudi Arabia used a mix of bumper ads and custom targeting to promote its Ramadan collection. Results:

• 43% increase in YouTube impressions 
• 2.3x higher engagement rate 
• 28% more website traffic compared to Instagram ads 

This proves that with the right targeting and ad format, YouTube can outperform other platforms in both reach and engagement.  

FAQs about YouTube Video Ads

Q1: How much does it cost to run YouTube ads in Saudi Arabia or the Gulf? You can start with as little as $10/day. Costs depend on your audience size, targeting, and ad format. Q2: What’s better — pre-roll or bumper ads? It depends on your goal. Use pre-roll ads for storytelling and bumper ads for quick recall and brand exposure. Q3: Can I target only specific cities like Riyadh or Amman? Yes. YouTube allows geo-targeting down to specific cities or regions. Q4: How do I measure success? Track engagement metrics, conversions, and CPV using Google Ads Dashboard or YouTube Analytics. Q5: What’s the ideal length for a YouTube ad? 6 to 15 seconds for bumper and skippable formats — shorter ads tend to perform better.