Want to see some YouTube Shorts ads that are scaling right now, using VidTao competitor ad library?
You’re in luck…
Because today is 2 Shorts Tuesday. Why YouTube Shorts ads?
Because YouTube Shorts ad inventory is only going to keep growing:
5 Reasons Why More Creators Are Choosing YouTube Shorts Instead of TikTok
#1 - 💰 MORE MONEY 💰
YouTube made it easier to earn money with YouTube Shorts in 2024 by letting creators take a cut of ad money from their Shorts—a better deal than TikTok’s confusing payment system.
This works for both short videos and regular YouTube content, making it safer for creators who want steady income.
#2 - ⛔TikTok Ban Rumors/Reality⛔
Rumors (and a quick reality) of a TikTok ban in the U.S. made many creators start posting on YouTube Shorts just in case. YouTube even let Shorts videos be 3 minutes long starting October 2024, copying TikTok’s style while giving creators more flexibility.
YouTube’s Big Advantages
#3 - 📈Built-in audience📈
Shorts get boosted by YouTube’s recommendations and trending lists, helping creators grow faster. TikTok doesn’t connect as well to other apps or longer videos.
#4 - 🆕Different viewers🆕
YouTube’s users are often older (25-34) vs. TikTok’s teen-heavy crowd, so creators can reach new fans.
#5 - 🤦♂️Creators Are Fed Up With TikTok🤦♂️
Many say TikTok’s rules change too often, and they’re tired of worrying about bans. YouTube feels more stable, especially with Google’s support for targeting the right audiences. The 3-minute Shorts also let them tell better stories without switching apps.
...And critically, most DTC & Direct Response advertisers are still under-leveraging YouTube Shorts as an ad placement.
(and the upside is huge)
So, what are some ways you can succeed with YouTube Shorts ads?
Let’s take a closer look at 2 YouTube Shorts ads doing well right now:
~ update from our friends at Funnel of the Week ~
The "Anti-Tariff" Promo: Crisis = Opportunity?
Our friends at Funnel of the Week just dropped a new funnel breakdown…
…This time it’s an advertorial to ecomm funnel driving 1M+ clicks per month via a few very different approaches that you can model for your own business today.
On one hand? They are leveraging the current “Tariff Crisis” with some very specific short form video frameworks:
They’re running unique Native + Quora campaigns driving ice-cold top of funnel traffic to advertorials like this:
Go here to see more at Funnel of the Week….
Keys to this funnel include…
- The full breakdown of all "Anti-Tariff" video variations + funnel
- How their funnel differs dramatically between Meta vs. Quora/Native (and why this is important if you’re looking to scale on completely unaware, cold traffic)
- Their 4 unique advertorial angles that pre-frame the sale perfectly
- The psychological triggers they use to turn economic anxiety into purchase urgency
- And a whole lot more…
📱 Ad #1: “You Don’t Need Motivation. You Need Discipline.” — Wisey Hits a Deep Nerve with Everyday Chaos
This 39-second YouTube Shorts ad by the brand Wisey is testimonial-driven and emotionally charged, delivered by someone in crisis-mode.
It’s raw and relatable, with a tone that balances frustration and hope. There’s no hype—just honesty:
✅ First-person breakdown = built-in vulnerability
✅ Therapist mention = soft authority
✅ Personalized solution = clear differentiator
✅ Payoff = emotional relief, not just utility
Let’s get into more details, part by part:
Hook – The Line That Punches Through
“You don’t need motivation. You need discipline.”
Visual: Woman in cluttered home, looking frustrated
👉 Why it works: Brutally honest. No music. No effects. Just an emotional truth bomb most viewers feel instantly.
Middle – Spiraling Problems, Then a Shift
Visual: Messy life montage → “I told my therapist…”
👉 Why it works:
•It doesn’t rush to the product.
•We sit in the pain (late, distracted, overwhelmed) long enough to identify with it.
•The pivot (“my therapist recommended this course”) feels organic, not pitchy.
Product Reveal – Personalized Discipline Type
Visual: App UI showing discipline profile and plan
👉 Why it works:
•“Not another planner” = preemptively kills skepticism.
•“Discovered my discipline type” = feels smart, tailored, new.
•Personalized plan → easy to visualize using it.
CTA – Happy Ending, Soft Ask
“I finally feel happy.”
👉 Why it works:
•No hard pitch, no price, no push.
•The user’s emotional payoff is the CTA.
Inside VidTao ad spy tool you can also check out ALL other YouTube ads and Shorts ads + stats on this advertiser:
🔑 Key Takeaways from this Ad
1️⃣ Start with emotional truth, not the product.
2️⃣ Therapist recommendation builds subtle authority.
3️⃣ Pain → personal insight → micro-transformation = the perfect 30s arc.
4️⃣ Soft resolution works when the problem is strong enough.

YouTube Shorts Ad Free Brainstorm
⚡️ Ad #2: Ketone IQ Flexes Military & Market Proof in 39 seconds
This ad opens like a casual DM reply, but quickly turns into a performance-enhancing proof bomb. Delivered with calm confidence by a high-energy speaker, it builds trust through results—not theatrics:
✅ Conversational open = high relatability
✅ Authority stack = athletes + military + research
✅ No caffeine, no sugar = smart objection handling
✅ Ends on a natural, curiosity-spiking CTA
Let’s break it down:
Hook – “How Do You Do It?”
Visual: High-energy speaker answering fan DMs
Line: “The question I get asked the most is…”
👉 Why it works:
•Curiosity via indirect brag: “How are you always so high energy?”
•Hook feels like a real convo—not a rehearsed pitch.
Proof Stack – Peloton + Military + Studies
Visual: On-screen stats + quick flashes of U.S. military and athletes
👉 Why it works:
•“60% of Pelotons… $6M contract with U.S. Special Ops…” = instant credibility.
•“15% performance gain” = quantifiable result.
•Proof is piled fast—no fluff.
Product Reveal – Simple and Direct
“One shot of this stuff and you literally won’t think about food.”
👉 Why it works:
•“No sugar, no caffeine” handles common objections.
•“Super fuel” messaging is implied, not shouted.
•Lifestyle positioning: from SEALs to CEOs to creators.
CTA – Casual Craving
“I’d love some ketones right now.”
👉 Why it works:
•CTA is buried in a joke—but feels genuine.
•Leaves the viewer thinking, “Wait, should I try this?”
Let’s also take a quick scroll through their landing page:
🔑 Key Takeaways from this Ad
1️⃣ Hook with curiosity, not claims.
2️⃣ Use real-world proof (military contracts, athlete usage) to fast-track trust.
3️⃣ Position with identity: “This is what high performers use.”
4️⃣ Casual CTA feels authentic and unforced.
🔄 Final Thoughts
Wisey wins through emotional resonance.
Ketone IQ wins through layered proof and positioning.
Both keep the pacing tight, lean on real problems or real credibility, and let the CTA flow naturally.
If you’re planning your next YouTube Shorts creative, steal from both:
•Show don’t tell (Wisey)
•Stack and flex (Ketone IQ)
🚀 "Spy" on 21 Million YouTube Ads
(and Landing Pages)!
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With that, we’re all finished for this week! ✅
We hope this week’s selection of high-performing YouTube Shorts ads has sparked new ideas to test yourself!
Want more insights like these?
Stay tuned for next week’s VidTao 2 Shorts Tuesday…
…where we’ll continue breaking down winning YouTube Shorts Ads you can break down + model for your own creatives & campaigns.
And btw… If you have questions about YouTube ads or YouTube Shorts ads in particular?
Go here to schedule a free chat with our friends at Inceptly. Inceptly is a top Direct Response video ad agency, specializing in high-performing YouTube ad creatives & media buying.
Have a great week!
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