Ads Youtube
Audit and optimize YouTube and video campaigns—Demand Gen, Shorts, CTV, skippable in-stream—with benchmarks and health scoring from Google Ads exports.
Overview
ads-youtube is an agent skill for the Grow phase that analyzes YouTube and connected video ad campaigns across Demand Gen, Shorts, CTV, and classic in-stream formats.
Install
npx skills add https://github.com/agricidaniel/claude-ads --skill ads-youtubeWhat is this skill?
- Seven-step process: export filter, reference audits (G-DG1–G-DG3, G-CTV1), specs, benchmarks, scoring
- Covers skippable in-stream, bumper, Shorts, Demand Gen, and CTV including VAC→Demand Gen migration checks
- Validates at least one active video campaign before deep analysis
- Flags remaining Video Action Campaigns auto-upgraded to Demand Gen by April 2026
- Evaluates creative quality, targeting, and measurement against platform specs
- 7-step analysis process
- References G-DG1 through G-DG3 and G-CTV1 audit checks
- VAC auto-upgrade to Demand Gen noted for April 2026
Adoption & trust: 804 installs on skills.sh; 5.8k GitHub stars; 3/3 security scanners passed (skills.sh audits).
What problem does it solve?
You export Google Ads video data but lack a structured audit for Demand Gen migration, Shorts creative rules, and CTV measurement.
Who is it for?
Founders or marketers with active YouTube or Video campaigns who need checklist-driven audits tied to 2026 Google ad product changes.
Skip if: Builders with no video campaigns yet or those seeking organic YouTube SEO—this skill expects paid campaign exports.
When should I use this skill?
User says YouTube Ads, video ads, pre-roll, bumper ads, skippable in-stream, YouTube campaign, YouTube Shorts ads, Demand Gen, VAC, or CTV YouTube ads.
What do I get? / Deliverables
You receive a scored YouTube ads health assessment with campaign-type identification, VAC migration flags, and actionable creative and targeting findings.
- YouTube ads health evaluation with campaign types identified
- Migration and creative/targeting findings aligned to reference benchmarks
Recommended Skills
Journey fit
Paid video acquisition and lifecycle tuning belong in Grow when you are spending to compound users, not when you are still validating the idea. Campaign frequency, format mix, and measurement map to lifecycle paid channels rather than one-off launch announcements.
How it compares
Paid-media audit workflow inside claude-ads, not organic video SEO or generic social copy generation.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is ads-youtube for?
Solo builders and indie teams running YouTube, Shorts, Demand Gen, or CTV campaigns via Google Ads who want systematic performance and setup review.
When should I use ads-youtube?
Use in Grow when reviewing paid video spend, after exporting Video campaigns, or when migrating off legacy VAC to Demand Gen.
Is ads-youtube safe to install?
Check the Security Audits panel on this page; the skill reads local ads reference docs and your exported campaign data—avoid piping live account secrets into untrusted environments.
SKILL.md
READMESKILL.md - Ads Youtube
# YouTube Ads Analysis <!-- Updated: 2026-04-13 | v1.5: Demand Gen replaces VAC, Shorts expansion, CTV section, frequency capping --> ## Process 1. Collect YouTube Ads data (Google Ads export filtered to Video campaigns) 2. Read `ads/references/google-audit.md` for YouTube-relevant checks (incl. G-DG1 through G-DG3, G-CTV1) 3. Read `ads/references/platform-specs.md` for video specifications 4. Read `ads/references/benchmarks.md` for YouTube benchmarks 5. Read `ads/references/scoring-system.md` for health score algorithm 6. **Validate**: confirm at least one active video campaign exists before proceeding 7. **Check**: flag any remaining Video Action Campaigns (VAC). All auto-upgraded to Demand Gen by April 2026 8. Evaluate campaign setup, creative quality, targeting, and measurement 9. **Validate**: verify all campaign types identified before generating report 10. Generate YouTube-specific findings report with health score ## Campaign Types Assessment ### YT-01: Skippable In-Stream (TrueView) - Length: 12s minimum, 15-30s recommended (can be longer) - Bidding: Target CPV or Target CPA - Skip rate benchmark: 65-80% is normal - View rate: ≥15% is good - Evaluate: hook quality in first 5 seconds, CTA card usage ### YT-02: Non-Skippable In-Stream - Length: up to 60s (expanded 2025; previously 15s/20s) - Bidding: Target CPM - Best for: brand awareness, reach campaigns - Evaluate: message completeness, frequency capping, optimal length testing ### YT-03: Bumper Ads - Length: exactly 6s (non-skippable) - Bidding: Target CPM - Best for: reach extension, brand reinforcement - Evaluate: single-message focus, brand visibility throughout ### YT-04: YouTube Shorts Ads - Format: vertical 9:16 (1080x1920 recommended) - Length: up to 60s, sound-on required - Music/voiceover increases conversions by **over 20%** - CTA button appears at **3 seconds** for PMax/App/Demand Gen, **10 seconds** for Video View/Reach - Top-performing Shorts ads feel organic, authentic, and creator-like - YouTube Select Shorts lineups deliver 90% longer viewing vs competitor platforms (MediaScience data) - Placement exclusions for Shorts only work at **account level** (not campaign/ad group) - Best for: younger demographics, mobile-first, action campaigns ### YT-05: Demand Gen (fully replaced Video Action Campaigns, April 2026) - **All VACs auto-upgraded to Demand Gen by April 2026**. Flag any remaining VAC campaigns as deprecated - Placements: YouTube Home Feed, Watch Next, Discover, Gmail, Google Display Network (with channel controls) - Multi-format critical: advertisers uploading **both video AND image assets** see **20% more conversions** at same CPA vs video-only (G-DG1 check) - DoorDash case study: 15x higher conversion rate, 50% lower CPA vs VAC - **Major limitation: frequency capping is NOT supported** in Demand Gen. Significant loss from VAC. Only workaround: Video Frequency Groups (alpha). Flag former VAC campaigns that relied on frequency caps (G-DG3 check) - Evaluate: creative diversity (video + image), product feed quality, audience signals, frequency monitoring ### Connected TV (CTV) - YouTube's fastest-growing surface: ~150 million Americans watching on TV screens - **75% of YouTube ad spend** now on CTV (Brandcast 2025) - 30-second non-skippable ads available exclusively on CTV - Co-viewing metrics rolled out globally for compa