[2 Shorts Tuesday] The Silent Ad + The ‘Suspect Challenge’ Ad: 2 YouTube Shorts Wins

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: 

...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:

💭 Ad #1: No Words, Just Proof – A Silent YouTube Shorts Ad That Sells Purely Through Visuals & Social Proof

First for today is a self-transformative app ad by the brand Liven.

This ad uses a no-dialogue, no-voiceover format, relying solely on:

 ✅ Strong before/after visuals
 ✅ Bold on-screen text claims
 ✅ Natural-looking user footage
 ✅ TikTok-native pacing & design

Let’s break it down:

Hook – Visual Problem Introduction 

•Visual: Back of a man’s head, noticeable thinning/hair loss

•Text on screen: “Struggling with hair loss?”

👉 Why this works:

•Pain-point led hook grabs attention visually before text even finishes animating.

•No words = universal relatability—great for silent autoplay formats.

•Immediately identifiable audience segment (anyone with visible hair loss).

Solution Preview – What’s Being Used

•Visual: Fingers applying serum to scalp (close-up)

•Text: “This changed everything for him…”

👉 Why this works:

•Process-based footage builds credibility—viewer sees how it's applied.

•Emotional claim (“changed everything”) implies transformation, not just improvement.

•Fast cut keeps viewer attention without giving too much away.

Social Proof Swipe – Before/After Scroll

•Visual: Quick flip through multiple user-submitted photos

•Text: “Thousands of transformations just like this.”

👉 Why this works:

•Volume = trust—seeing multiple examples implies this is not a one-off result.

•Native format match—looks like an organic TikTok user review.

•Before/after storytelling in under 3 seconds—no need to explain further.

Final CTA – Link + Curiosity Play 

•Text: “See what it can do for you. Tap the link.”

•Visual: Replays final result + subtle upward arrow animation.

👉 Why this works:

•Simple CTA with soft challenge vibe (“see what it can do for you”).

•Visual repetition reinforces outcome-focused storytelling.

•Arrow movement toward link zone drives clear action.

Here’s what their landing page looks like:

Key Takeaways from this Ad

1️⃣ No Voice? No Problem – Music + bold text + clear visuals keep the message effective even muted.
2️⃣ Visual Progression = Instant Proof – From scalp to application to results, the arc is clear and believable.
3️⃣ Social Proof Carousel = Trust Builder – Showing multiple users creates scale and legitimacy.
4️⃣ Pacing Matches Platform Norms – Fast, visual, mobile-native style grabs and holds short attention spans.
5️⃣ Clean, Curiosity-Based CTA – Encourages viewers to explore further without pressure.

🧠 Ad #2: “Suspect Challenge” – How Chegg Uses Humor + Relatability to Sell Study Help

This 36-second long Shorts ad by Chegg uses playful accusation-style humor combined with real college struggles to position itself as the go-to solution for overwhelmed student-athletes—and college students in general:

 ✅ Relatable college-life pain points
 ✅ Fast-paced humor (meme-challenge style)
 ✅ Product woven into a personal story naturally
 ✅ Light but emotionally true

But let’s get into even more details:

Hook – Suspect Challenge Format 

•“Suspect was a D1 and pro athlete but gets winded when she goes up the stairs.”

•Visual: Side-by-side panels—one player posing, the other actor doing mock "suspect" accusations.

👉 Why this works:

•“Suspect” format feels like a meme challenge—instantly familiar, fast engagement.

•Self-deprecating humor makes the athlete relatable, not intimidating.

•Pace + edits match TikTok/Shorts native style, not traditional ads.

Stacked Relatable Pain Points – Personal & Academic 

•Skipping showers after practice, missing MVP awards, struggling with long commutes, car sickness.

•Chegg = MVP solution mentioned early, hinted naturally through dialogue.

👉 Why this works:

•Rapid-fire relatability—any former or current student-athlete can feel these struggles.

•Keeps engagement high—every few seconds introduces a new, funny, and real situation.

•Chegg inserted subtly—not “salesy,” more like a casual admission of help.

Emotional Turn – From Struggle to Relief

•“Suspect used to cry from missing classes... but was stress-free after finding Chegg.”

•Visual: Reaction shifts from goofy to slightly emotional relief.

•“Step-by-step solutions and flashcards were a lifesaver.”

👉 Why this works:

•Real emotional payoff—transitions from jokes to genuine transformation.

•Step-by-step solutions = tangible value prop.

•Flashcards callout appeals to last-minute crammers and real-world users.

Key Takeaways from this Ad

1️⃣ Meme-Style Hook = Instant Familiarity – Taps into formats people love and recognize without feeling like an ad.
2️⃣ Relatable, Specific Pain Points Stack Fast – Keeps attention while building credibility through humor.
3️⃣ Product Placement Feels Natural – Chegg isn’t hard-sold; it’s dropped into the narrative organically.
4️⃣ Emotional Relief = Soft CTA – Viewers are shown how Chegg made school less stressful—not just told.
5️⃣ Pacing Matches Native Platform Norms – Fast, funny, not overproduced = fits TikTok and YouTube Shorts consumption habits.

To finish off with, here’s what this advertiser’s landing page looks like:

With that, we’re all done 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.

Have a great week!