Videos are a critical asset for Performance Max, as they are used to generate ads across YouTube, the Display Network, and Discovery feeds. Unlike images, you cannot upload video files directly to Google Ads; they must first be uploaded to YouTube.

Phase 1: Upload to YouTube (Prerequisite)

1. Create/Log in to a YouTube Account: Ensure you have a YouTube channel associated with your brand.

2. Upload Your Videos: Upload your video files to this channel.

• Advise: For the best results, set the video’s privacy to “Unlisted” or “Public.” If you set it to “Private,” Google Ads will not be able to access it.

Phase 2: Add Videos in the Asset Group

Once your videos are live on YouTube, you can link them to your PMax campaign.

Step 1: Access the Video Section

1. In the Asset Group editor, scroll down to the Videos section.

2. Click the blue + Videos button.

Step 3: Search and Select Videos

1. A pop-up window will appear with a search bar. You have three main ways to add your video:

• Search YouTube: Type the name or title of your uploaded video in the search bar.

• Paste URL: If you have the video’s URL, paste it directly into the search bar.

• Your YouTube Channel: If your Google Ads account is linked to your YouTube channel, you can browse your uploaded videos directly.

2. Select: Click on the video you wish to use.

3. Click Save.

Step 4: Save the Asset Group

1. Repeat the process until you have added up to five videos.

2. Click the Save Asset Group button to finalise your changes.

Video Asset Specifications and Advice

1. Create Video Within Google Ads Using Templates

• Note: If you do not have any video assets, Google has an option to create a video using templates.

• Opinion: These template videos are often basic and lack professional polish. It is highly recommended to create and upload your own high-quality, brand-consistent videos to ensure a better user experience and stronger brand representation.

2. Length and Aspect Ratio

• Length: Videos should be a minimum of 10 seconds and ideally under 60 seconds for optimal performance on platforms like YouTube Shorts and Discovery.

• Ratios: Aim for videos in all three main aspect ratios for maximum coverage:

• Landscape (16:9)

• Square (1:1)

• Vertical/Portrait (9:16) (For YouTube Shorts)

3. Video as a Mandatory Asset

• Advise: While not technically mandatory, a video is one of the most important assets for PMax. It unlocks high-volume, lower-cost inventory on YouTube and the Display Network. Campaigns with strong video assets often see better performance and more stable scaling compared to those that rely only on static images.