This Isn’t About Hoodies or Steps. These Ads People Care In Under 18 Seconds

Want to see some YouTube Shorts ads that are scaling right now, using VidTao to spy on YouTube ads?

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: Cozy Core Drop Launch – This Kids Hoodie Ad Nails UGC + Scarcity in 30 Secs

Our first ad pick for this week blends TikTok-native language, pastel visuals, and a user-comment hook to launch a kids’ clothing drop with emotional pull and urgency.

It’s soft, friendly, and sells without feeling too salesy:

This ad:

Opens with a real user comment = instant social proof
Showcases product quality through sensory language + video
Ends with a scarcity trigger and sizing urgency

Let’s break it down:

 Hook – “Imagine a kids line ”

“I get asked where my set is from every time I wear these colors…”

 Why this works:

•The comment-as-hook device builds instant trust and community (“you asked, we made it”)

•Sets up a reveal-style narrative: you're about to see the drop

•Feels like a reply, not an ad — native to TikTok or Shorts

 Product Build – Color, Quality, Scarcity

“These will sell out today… look at the quality… oversized and pre-shrunk…”

 Why this works:

•Sensory language + video = “you can see how soft they are”

•Uses common pain points (shrinking, restocks) to build desire

•Layered urgency: “released today,” “sell out fast,” “5 months to restock”

 Emotional Close – Matching Mom & Kid

Shows a mom and daughter in matching hoodies, hugging and smiling.

 Why this works:

•Visual payoff: the product in use, delivering joy

•Taps into bonding & family identity

•The sizing flash (Kids XS–XL, Adults XS–3XL) makes it inclusive and immediate

Inside VidTao, you can check out ALL other ads by this advertiser as well, here’s a sneak peek:

Additionally, here’s what this advertiser’s landing page looks like:

 Key Takeaways from this Ad:

 Comment-as-Hook = Instant Community Buy-In
Makes the product launch feel like a conversation, not a pitch.

 Visual Softness = Emotional Softness
Everything from the fabric to the editing supports the “cozy” brand feel.

 Clear CTA Without Ever Saying It
“You better buy it now” is implied—urgency is baked into the storytelling.

 Product Drop Ads Work Best When They Don’t Feel Like Ads
This is a content-first approach: looks like a haul or reply video, but moves product powerfully.

 Ad #2: The “7k Steps” Ad That Quietly Flips a Belief About Weight Loss

This next ad breaks a popular myth (“10k steps a day”) and replaces it with a personal transformation — all in under 18 seconds:

It’s lean, creator-led, and built entirely around one disruptive idea.

This ad:

Breaks a mass belief right out the gate
Uses a real result to prove its point
Teases a personalized solution without over-explaining

Let’s get into more details of it:

 Hook – “You’re being lied to”

“If you think you need to walk 10,000 steps a day to see results, you’re being lied to.”

 Why this works:

•Confrontational phrasing cuts through noise

•Challenges a well-known fitness rule = instant intrigue

•Feels personal and opinionated, not scripted

 Transformation – “I lost 50 lbs walking less”

“I was around 180 pounds… now I’m 130… I only walk 7,000 steps.”

 Why this works:

•Leverages a personal metric (“180 → 130”) to anchor credibility

•The number “7,000” feels more attainable than 10,000

•It’s a subtle reframing ad: you don’t have to work harder, just smarter

 CTA – “Take the quiz”
“You can take the quiz right here to see how much you need to walk.”

 Why this works:

•A low-friction ask — it’s not “buy now,” it’s “find your number”

•Makes the advice feel custom and consultative

•Feels more like coaching than marketing

Inside VidTao ad spy tool, you can find ALL ads + ALL relevant stats on this (or any other advertiser!):

To finish off with, here’s a quick look at this advertiser’s landing page as well:

 Key Takeaways from this Ad

 Belief-Breaking = Scroll-Stopping
This ad sells by unteaching something, not pitching something.

 Transformation First, Product Second
We see the result before we hear about the quiz — classic DR sequencing.

 Low-Arousal Energy, High Trust Impact
No loud edits or gimmicks — just calm, credible delivery in a real-life setting.

 Product = Quiz = Curiosity Loop
The ad ends by creating a gap: “What’s my number?” That’s a CTA built on curiosity.

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.

Have a great week!