Welcome to, or welcome back to this week’s VidTao 3 Ad Thursday, where each week we’ll be diving into our VidTao YouTube spy tool, to uncover 3 high-performing YouTube ads driving results!
This week we’ve got three high-performing YouTube ads for you to check out & model, including:
’Hers’ weight loss ad with over $7.3M in adspend…
Calorie counter app ad with over $250k in adspend…
Another Calorie Counter Ad by the Same Advertiser! ($400k in AdSpend)...
Ready to check the ads out?
The tracking metric you've never heard of that 4x'd a $750M business 
99% of DTC Subscription brands miss this
Duolingo was stuck in 2018.
Yes, $750M in revenue & 40 million+ daily users…
But growth?
Flatlining.
Hundreds of tests running… Nothing moving the needle.
They were trapped optimizing metrics everyone tracks: conversion rates, retention rates, acquisition costs.
Then they used a framework that flips traditional tracking on its head…
…exposing the ONE metric that mattered most...
…buried in every DTC subscription brand's biggest blind spot.
When they tested it against everything else — new user acquisition, reactivation campaigns, onboarding flows — this one metric had 10x more impact than all of them.
The result?
4x growth.
Not from better ads. Not from new traffic sources. Not from a rebrand.
From tracking one transition that 99% of subscription brands completely ignore.
Want to see how you can uncover your DTC subscription business’s “magic metric”?
VidTao Co-Founder Brat Vukovich just wrote an article inside his weekly newsletter, The Dashboard, walking you through exactly how to dig into your own subscription business and uncover this golden insight.
PS — The Dashboard is where Brat shares weekly notes on building BraTrax, buying media, and making sense of performance data - without the fluff.
PPS — Send this link to a friend who needs it: blog.bratrax.com
Let's dive right in and take a closer look at this week's YouTube ad standouts and discover what makes them so successful.
’Hers’ Weight Loss Ad (Injection-Free Oral Medication Kits)
Our first ad pick for the ad analysis for this week is this neat-looking weight loss ad by the brand Hers.
Check it out:
This ad's estimated total ad spend is over $7.3! 
Now, let’s dissect this ad and see what makes it so successful:
Hook
“Yes, this is why I switched…” opens with intrigue.
The use of “switched” implies a superior alternative — triggering curiosity in viewers frustrated with current solutions (e.g., injections or stalled results).
Relatable Social Proof
Stacked testimonials — “I’ve lost 23 lbs,” “I wasn’t happy with how I looked,” “I’ve tried everything” — mirror real audience frustrations.
The conversational, selfie-style tone and consistent “REAL Hers customer” badge make the results feel credible and attainable.
Product Demonstration
Cut to soothing macro visuals of the Hers pill, logo, and packaging — establishing tangible proof that contrasts with the abstract testimonial talk.
The voiceover and text highlight the simplicity: “oral medication kits,” “ongoing care included,” “free shipping.”
Process & Proof
“Personalized to your goals” + “unlimited messaging with a provider.”
This builds both credibility (supervised) and control (customized) — the two main psychological levers in the weight loss niche.
Offer Recap & CTA
The ad smartly restates the key selling points visually as checkmarks — “No insurance. No visits. 100% online.”
The final screen (“Take the free assessment to get started today”) turns the simplicity into an immediate call to action.
This brand has many other cool ads with millions in adspend!
Check those out as well:
Calorie Counter App Ad With Over $250k in AdSpend
Our next ad pick is an ad for a cool calorie tracking app, check it out:
This ad's estimated total ad spend is over $250k!
Now, here are some of the elements that make this ad successful:
Hook
“If you want to keep a flat tummy…” instantly narrows the target audience and evokes self-interest.
The phrasing feels organic — a natural voice of authority rather than scripted narration.
Visual Demonstration
The ad cuts between an overhead food shot and the app scanning feature.
The AI Scan interface (“Good lighting, steady hand”) grounds the product in realism, showing exactly how it works instead of just talking about it.
Product Mechanism & Credibility
The narration explains how the app breaks down carbs, protein, and fats — then logs results automatically.
This visual proof of efficiency converts abstract claims into tangible outcomes. The app’s clean, data-driven interface implies accuracy and sophistication.
Tracking Benefits
Weekly nutrition reports and “health score” visuals drive retention messaging: this isn’t just a calorie counter — it’s a habit coach.
The transition from single-meal logging to a 7-day dashboard subtly positions Eato as a long-term solution.
Lifestyle Anchor
Cut to the gym scene — lean, confident user checking progress. This visual payoff connects the app to aspiration, reinforcing that data = visible results.
CTA & Brand Close
The final frame shows the Eato app icon and download buttons for both app stores, accompanied by the verbal CTA: “Take the guesswork out of eating.”
This phrase wraps up the entire message — simplicity, control, and transformation.
This advertiser also has other interesting big-spenders that are definitely worth checking out… 
Another Calorie Counter Ad by the Same Advertiser! ($400k in AdSpend)
Our last pick is actually another calorie-tracking ad by the same advertiser! This one has a total ad spend of nearly $400k!
Check it out:
These are some of the elements this ad combines:
Hook
“What 100 calories looks like.” — a classic visual curiosity trigger.
Instantly makes the viewer compare foods in their head. This hook works because it uses contrast and simplicity — no words needed beyond the on-screen text.
Visual Demonstration
“Let’s give it a quick scan with Eato.” The app interface appears, scanning the food with options for barcode or camera.
The calorie and macro breakdown loads instantly. This makes the abstract promise of “AI food tracking” tangible in seconds.
Social Proof & Authority
A fitness coach figure in a car explains, “My fitness coach recommended an app called Eato.”
This moment humanizes the product — it’s not a corporate ad, it’s advice from someone credible. The setting (car, casual talk) strengthens authenticity.
Product Mechanism & Credibility
“Just take a photo of your plate… the AI figures out what food you’re eating and how much.”
Clear educational framing backed by app footage showing calorie and macro data. Mentions of a “depth sensor” and automatic nutrient logging add scientific believability and technical sophistication.
Benefit Expansion
“It monitors your daily calorie intake and plans your meals with hundreds of fat-loss recipes.”
This section transitions from function to benefit — Eato is not just a tracker; it’s an automated weight-loss assistant. The promise of “delicious fat-loss recipes” positions it as lifestyle-friendly, not restrictive.
CTA & Brand Close
Visual: Eato logo, App Store + Google Play buttons. Voiceover: “Go to the App Store, look it up, you won’t regret it.”
A relaxed close that feels like advice from a friend, keeping the tone organic and natural.
To finish off with - you can check out not only other ads by this advertiser inside VidTao, but all the relevant stats + more!
Find it here:
"Spy" on 29 Million YouTube Ads
(and Landing Pages)!
Unlock proven strategies for success with the VidTao Premium YouTube Ad Library. Get instant access to your FREE VidTao trial today 
Claim Your FREE VidTao Trial Now!Take the guesswork out of YouTube ads – start scaling smarter.
That's all for this week, folks!
We hope this week’s selection of high-performing ads has sparked new ideas to test yourself!
Want more insights like these?
Stay tuned for next week’s VidTao 3 Ad Thursday, where we’ll continue breaking down winning strategies from the best YouTube ads in the game!
And btw… If you have questions about YouTube ads?
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!
PS - Go here to Claim Your Free Trial of VidTao Premium: Access 29 Million YouTube Ads & Their Landing Pages!
PPS - Are you spending $1k/day+ on Paid Ads? 
Go here to set up a free YouTube Ad brainstorm chat.