Want to see some YouTube Shorts ads that are scaling right now, using VidTao ad intelligence software.
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.
Image source: Google
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 ~
Air Fryers, ‘Dark Posting’ & Category Creation for a $4B Market
Our friends at Funnel of the Week just released a new funnel breakdown…
… This time it’s a DTC beauty brand using dark posting + smart benefit repositioning to turn a decades-old niche product into a mainstream hit.
The product? Shampoo bars. The angle? No longer “eco-friendly” - now it’s hair transformation stories like:
“My hair grew 4 inches in 2 months”
“Finally found the solution for my thin, lifeless hair”
And the growth opportunity is huge:
- US shampoo bar market: $4.13B, growing 7.7% annually
- Only 35% of consumers know this category exists
- Only 8% have tried solid shampoo bars
Go here to see more at Funnel of the Week….
Inside this breakdown, you’ll see:
✓ All “dark post” influencer accounts running now - and how they target different demos
✓ Creative strategy that shifts from eco benefits to personal transformation
✓ The awareness stage moves that take someone from “never heard of it” to “ordering today”
✓ How this exact framework has created billion-dollar markets before (electric toothbrushes, plant-based meat, and more)
Ad #1: Guardian Bikes – A 2-Year-Old Rides on Day One
The short-form ad we chose for this week’s analysis blends heartfelt storytelling with a powerful product transformation - all grounded in parental pride and emotional payoff.
Check it out:
This ad:
Feels like a home video: high trust, low polish Centers the parent’s story, not the brand The transformation is visual, emotional, and product-led
Let’s take an even deeper dive:
Hook – “My son started riding a balance bike at about two years old…”
Why it works:
Instant relatability for parents. It frames the story from the dad’s POV - not as a product pitch, but as a journey. You’re invested from the first sentence.
Core Insight – “It seemed like every time he'd get momentum, he'd accidentally backpedal…”
Why it works:
This is the emotional pain point. Not just about bikes - it’s about confidence, frustration, and childhood milestones. Every parent watching feels this.
Payoff – “He rode that bike with the pedals on the very first try.”
Why it works:
The resolution is fast and satisfying. The product becomes a quiet hero. There’s no hard CTA - just a soft emotional climax that sells by showing.
Check out other cool ads by this advertiser inside VidTao ad intelligence software:
Key Takeaways
Confidence > features – The emotional stakes (not specs) drive the decision.
“Proud parent” framing – Shifts the audience from buyer to believer.
Feed-native pacing – No intro fluff. Story + result in under 35 seconds.
YouTube Shorts Ad Free Brainstorm
Want to brainstorm with us on new ways to scale your business with
YouTube Shorts Ads (and other performance video platforms)?
Join us for a free YouTube Shorts Ad brainstorming session here:
Ad #2: Ro Sparks – ED Solution Ad
This next ad blends humor, shock, and science into a punchy feed-ready package: balancing FDA disclaimers with a wink and a smirk:
Bold claim in the first second
Relatable actor delivery + compliance-friendly framing
Science-backed transformation, sex appeal, and urgency
Hook – “There is a faster way to get hard than Viagra.”
Why it works:
Zero hesitation. The claim is taboo enough to stop the scroll but safe enough to run. The line also signals this isn’t your average health ad.
Core Insight – “It works in 15 minutes… and stays in your system for up to 36 hours.”
Why it works:
Benefit stacking in under 10 seconds. Faster onset. Longer duration. Visual pacing keeps it moving while reinforcing those two key points.
Payoff – “See if Ro Sparks are right for you.”
Why it works:
The ad ends on a soft CTA - not “buy now,” but “see if this fits.” It lowers the resistance and wraps the high-intensity start in a calm, compliant close.
Key Takeaways
Start bold, end safe – A classic move for regulated categories like ED. Stats = speed – 15 minutes vs 1 hour = an obvious competitive edge. Dual tone = wider appeal – Humor hooks attention, science builds trust.
Finally, here’s what this advertiser’s landing page looks like:
A Few Things These Shorts Ads Teach Us
Emotional relevance drives attention - whether it’s childhood confidence or adult performance.
Transformation sells - but only when we feel the before-state.
Product truth + visual proof = unstoppable combo.
"Spy" on 29 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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