YouTube is one of the most popular social media platforms. With continuous growth, a wide variety of users, nearly endless content and global reach, YouTube is also a very popular place to advertise.

There are four types of ads YouTube will place on a creator’s video for audiences to see:

1. Skippable video ads

These ads play in the video player and allow the viewer to skip the ad after five seconds. These ads come in a variety of lengths. Skippable video ads work on computers, mobile devices, game consoles and TVs.

2. Non-skippable video ads

These ads play in the video player, however, the viewer is unable to skip these ads. Most of these ads are 15 or 20 seconds in length. Non-skippable video ads work on computers, mobile devices, gaming consoles and TVs.

3. Bumper ads

These ads are short, non-skippable and play in the video player. Think of them as the in-between for the skippable and non-skippable video ads discussed previously. These ads are no more than six seconds in length. Bumper ads work on computers, mobile devices, game consoles and TVs.

4. Overlay ads

These ads appear in the lower 20% portion of a video and are image/text-based. Overlay ads work only on computers.

How to advertise directly in videos: Paid Product Placements, Sponsorships and Endorsements

Many companies choose to partner (commonly referred to as “partnerships” within online communities) directly with creators. This can be done through sponsoring a video, sending a creator products and various other endorsements, sponsorships and product placements.

These paid product placements, endorsements, sponsorships or other forms of paid content will appear within the video viewers are watching, and are often called “Ad Reads.”

It is important to note that other ads (skippable video ads, non-skippable video ads, bumper ads and overlay ads) can still be run on the same video. While these “partnerships” do not have to include YouTube, all of YouTube’s policies must be applied and followed.

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