Can I Run YouTube Ads in DV360

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If you’re planning to run ads on YouTube , you might be wondering:
Should I use Google Ads or DV360?
And more specifically   Can I run YouTube ads in DV360?

The short answer is: Yes , you can absolutely run YouTube ads using DV360.
But here’s the real story   using DV360 gives you access to even more advanced features and controls compared to standard Google Ads.

In this blog , let’s break down:

  • How YouTube ads work in DV360
  • Why marketers use DV360 for YouTube
  • Real world examples and benefits

🎥 What is DV360?

Before we jump into YouTube , here’s a quick refresher.
Display & Video 360 (DV360) is Google’s premium demand side platform (DSP) , designed for advanced advertisers and agencies. It helps brands run programmatic campaigns across:

  • YouTube
  • Websites
  • OTT/Connected TV apps
  • Mobile apps
  • Audio platforms
  • And more

While Google Ads is perfect for simple campaigns , DV360 is made for scale , targeting , and flexibility.

✅ Yes , You Can Run YouTube Ads in DV360

DV360 offers full access to YouTube inventory , including:

  • YouTube in stream ads (skippable or non skippable)
  • YouTube bumper ads (6 second short ads)
  • YouTube discovery ads
  • YouTube shorts ads
  • YouTube masthead ads (via reservation)

So whatever format you’re interested in   DV360 supports it.

🔍 Why Use DV360 for YouTube Instead of Google Ads?

Here are some key differences and benefits of using DV360 for YouTube advertising:

1. Advanced Audience Targeting

DV360 lets you go beyond basic demographics and interests.

  • 1st party data: Upload your own customer lists or CDP audiences
  • Custom audiences: Based on website visits , app behavior , or search patterns
  • Lookalike audiences: Reach people similar to your best customers
  • 3rd party data: Use audience segments from data providers (like BlueKai , Lotame)

Example:
A car brand can target users who have visited luxury car websites , watched test drive reviews , and live in top tier cities.

2. Cross Channel Campaigns

In DV360 , you can manage YouTube along with other channels like OTT , mobile apps , or news websites all under one roof.

Why this matters:
You can build consistent messaging and track performance across platforms. It’s easier to manage multi touchpoint user journeys.

3. Better Creative Control

DV360 allows:

  • Advanced creative versioning (like dynamic creatives)
  • Sequential storytelling (show Ad A , then B , then C)
  • Creative testing at scale

Example:
A movie studio can first run a teaser , then a full trailer , then a “now showing” ad based on how the user engaged.

4. Access to Premium YouTube Placements

DV360 gives access to:

  • Programmatic Guaranteed (PG) deals
  • Private Marketplace (PMP) inventory
  • High impact placements like YouTube Masthead via reservations

This is great for high budget , brand first campaigns that want exclusive visibility.

5. Brand Safety & 3rd Party Tools

DV360 allows integration with tools like:

  • DoubleVerify
  • Integral Ad Science (IAS)
  • MOAT

You get more control over where your ads appear , viewability , and fraud protection especially important for big brands.

6. Detailed Reporting & Attribution

If you use Campaign Manager 360 alongside DV360 , you get:

  • Cross platform attribution
  • Path to conversion insights
  • Unified reporting across channels

This helps brands measure the real impact of YouTube ads beyond clicks and views.

🎯 When Should You Use DV360 for YouTube?

Choose DV360 if:

  • You’re managing large campaigns across multiple channels
  • You need richer targeting and first party data usage
  • You want programmatic buying or guaranteed inventory deals
  • You require greater creative flexibility or brand safety tools
  • You’re an agency managing campaigns for enterprise clients

❓ When Is Google Ads Better?

Use Google Ads for YouTube if:

  • You’re a small business or beginner
  • You’re only running a single channel campaign
  • Your budget is limited and you want a simple setup
  • You don’t need access to advanced reporting or external data integrations

🧠 Real Example

Let’s say a fitness brand is launching a new product line.

With Google Ads:

They can run YouTube bumper ads targeting users interested in “fitness” or “health supplements.”

With DV360:

They can target:

  • Users who visited competitor websites
  • People who have watched specific fitness influencers
  • High income users aged 25–40
  • Show them a full product video → followed by testimonials → followed by an offer
    All while running the same campaign across YouTube + CTV apps like Hotstar + fitness blogs.

🧾 Final Thoughts

Yes , you can absolutely run YouTube ads in DV360 and it unlocks a whole new level of control , targeting , and efficiency.

If you’re serious about performance , audience precision , and multi channel growth DV360 is the smarter choice.
For simpler , smaller campaigns , Google Ads is a great starting point.

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