YouTube Videos

YouTube video ad specs

What are the main types of YouTube ads? Here are six you should know about.

Sponsored cards

These 1:1 cards appear on the right corner of the video you’re currently watching. Sponsored cards can be either 15 or 20 seconds in length. The sponsored card may include links to sponsored products within the video, or other paid content.

• Aspect Ratio: 1:1
• Format: PNG, JPG, GIF
• Size: 2MB max

Display ads

Display ads typically live on the top right-hand side of your video above your list of algorithmically-suggested videos. They mostly exist on desktop, not mobile devices. These can include a maximum of 30 seconds of animation.

• Pixels 300 x 250
• File format: GIF, JPG, PNG
• Size: max 150 KB

Overlay ads

The overlay is a common ad format where a simple image or GIF with minimal movement lays over the bottom of your video screen. It’s designed to take up less than 20% of a desktop video’s real estate, so it’s consider a less invasive YouTube ad format.

• Pixels: 480 x 70
• File format: GIF, PNG, JPG
• Size: max 150 KB

Unskippable bumper ads

These play before you can watch a video. Bumper ads can be skipped after six seconds of watch time, and they are used widely on both mobile and desktop YouTube videos.

• Pixels: 300×60
• File format: JPG, PNG, GIF (static)
• Size: max 1 KB

TrueView video ads

TrueView video ads appear on YouTube search results and the mobile and desktop “Watch” pages. These video ads must be 30 frames per second (FPS). Clicking on the ad will take you into its own watching experience, like another channel page.

• Pixels: 640×360 or 480×360
• File format: AVI, ASF, Quicktime, Windows Media, MP4 or MPEG
• Size: max 1 GB
• Accepted aspect ratios: 4:3, 16:9

TrueView video ads also require specific features like a headline text and description. Thumbnails are auto-generated, and you have to contact Google if you want to include a custom thumbnail. The videos also need to be listed as “public” or “unlisted” for the ad to run. Other requirements include:

• Headline text: max 25 characters
• Description text: allowed to be two lines, and each line is allowed max 35 characters
• Video URL: needs to be a YouTube hosted URL

In-stream TrueView ads

This type of TrueView ad can run on desktop, mobile apps, connected TVs, and other sites in Google’s Display Network (GDN). You can also create this type of ad within Google Ads directly.

• Pixels: 640×360 or 480×360
• File format: AVI, ASF, Quicktime, Windows Media, MP4 or MPEG
• Maximum file size: 1GB
• Aspect ratio: 4:3, 16:9
• Recommended minimum length: 12 seconds
• Recommended maximum length: less than 3 minutes

These ads also must exist as a public, unlisted video on YouTube and must allow embedding in order to be used as a TrueView ad. You can configure these features in your ad settings. You should also always specify a call-to-action to encourage click-through to your website.

• CTA text: 10 characters (required field)
• Headline text: 15 characters max

What’s the best time to upload a video on YouTube? 

Even if YouTube is more watched than TV by a younger segment of the population, the watching habits are roughly the same. To give you an example: people tend to watch YouTube mostly in the evening and on the weekend, peaking on Sunday.

Try to post a few hours before these peak hours so that your video can become searchable and can perform better. Keep in mind that the searchability is a significant factor on YouTube since YouTube is behaving more like a search engine rather than a social media platform.

There is one exception about the evening posting, which is for Sunday. On Sundays, videos that were posted earlier usually performed best (we’re talking approx. 9 am EST).

Since Sunday is the best days for views and more YouTubers and marketers are posting, the competition is higher. By posting earlier than everyone else, you can start building views and make your video seem relevant to the algorithm before it gets lost in the outstanding amount of content that will be posted later on in the day. 

It’s kind of like social media in that you want to post when the most people are using the site, but at the same time, you don’t want your content to be lost in the crazy amount of content that is posted daily. That’s why posting a few hours before rush time can be beneficial.

Of course, posting a little earlier than everyone else is not the only thing that will make you get views, and that will make you go viral. But it’s a simple way to make sure that your content will be seen and appreciated by your audience and by other users on the platform before it gets lost in the middle of highly popular videos released by video studios or famous influencers.

By posting earlier, you’re making it easier to build a community and a base of loyal watchers, and that’s what YouTube is all about.

How to post on YouTube

First of all, you’re going to need a Google account to post anything on Youtube. Once you’re logged in, click on the upper right corner on the little video camera icon and select “Upload a video”. 

Then you’ll see the uploading screen. Drag and drop a video or select a file from your computer and upload it.

After your file is uploaded, you’ll have to fill the video’s title and description and to pick a thumbnail (you can also upload an independent thumbnail that’s not a frame from the video).

You also can add your video to a playlist and you’ll be requested to declare if your video is suitable for kids. You can also give additional information like tags, language and more.

The next step is a screen that offers you “Video elements”. From here you can add an end screen (a promotional screen at the end of your video) and cards (content “stickers” on top of your video”.

Once your video is published, embed or share to social media platforms.

How to create a captivating YouTube intro

While not all YouTube creators use an introduction clip, we encourage you to consider creating your own for your channel for a few different reasons: to stand out, appear more professional, and to create consistency. 

Benefits of having a YouTube intro video

• Give viewers a sense of familiarity and connection to your content. A good intro clip should give your viewers context and a general understanding of the type of content they can expect to find in your channel.
• It’s an essential branding move. A YouTube intro video can also benefit you by becoming an essential part of your branding efforts. It can help you create a specific aesthetic to your channel. It can make your videos recognizable and give viewers a sense of your videos – is it a lifestyle channel? Techy? Professional? The look and feel of your intro video will set the tone for your channel.
• It helps to communicate more clearly with your subscribers. Use your YouTube intro video to share important information with your viewers – your social media handles, website address, or any other important details.

YouTube intro video tips and tricks

Keep it short.

As their name suggests, intro videos should be a little introduction before the actual video begins – and that’s it. Keep it below 10 seconds to keep your viewers intrigued, interested, and focused. 

Brand it.

Use your logo, brand colours, and fonts. If you don’t have a colour palette or fonts identified with your brand or channel, it’s about time! With time, viewers will start recognizing your channel from the first seconds of your videos, and that’s what every creator aspires to. 

Consider a tagline.

Perhaps starting your videos with a tagline or a quote that will set the tone for your videos is a good idea for your channel. For example, if you run a fitness YouTube channel, an inspirational quote that reflects your values and approach can be a great fit. 

Music matters.

Upbeat or chill, instrumental or electronic – the music you’ll choose to accompany your intro video will set the whole video’s vibe. Give thought not only to the music but also to make sure the transition between the intro music to the video itself is smooth.

YouTube intro video templates we love

Want to keep it simple? Start with the always-appropriate “Welcome to my Channel” intro card. Customize with your branding, then voila: your intro is ready to use in minutes.

Try this template

What about YouTube outro videos?

A YouTube outro video can be equally important, acting as a bookend on each of your videos. Like an intro video, this establishes consistency and gives the viewer a next action — whether that’s watching another video, liking and subscribing, or hitting the comment section.

Make your YouTube intro and outro videos shine with personality, but keep them consistent. You wouldn’t want your outro to behave completely differently than your intro. Your followers wouldn’t even think they were watching the same channel!

This fully customizable “Thanks for watching!” outro video is simple, effective, and speaks directly to your audience, all while set against a sleek marble backdrop. It also includes a built-in call-to-action for viewers to subscribe.

Using YouTube for streaming? Keep fellow streamers in the loop with this playful template while they wait for the stream to start.

Remember — you don’t have to take yourself too seriously to build a community on YouTube. Harken people back to early internet days with this fun, meme-like outro.

Of course, the outro is always an opportunity to plug your channel and encourage subscriptions. Use enticing footage (from our unlimited stock library or your own!) that leaves a strong visual impression. This is where looks matter.