YouTube is rolling out new ad features for Shorts to help brands stretch their holiday budgets and tap into the momentum of short-form video.
What’s new:
- Comments on Shorts ads: Advertisers can now turn on comments for eligible Shorts ads, making the ad experience feel more organic and opening new paths for real-time audience engagement.
- Creator links to brand sites: Shorts creators posting branded content can now link directly to a brand’s website, giving viewers a seamless path from discovery to action.
- Shorts ads on mobile web: YouTube is extending Shorts ad placements to the mobile web, adding another way to reach viewers as they switch between devices – from TV to desktop to mobile apps.
Why we care. These updates make Shorts ads more interactive, natural, and actionable, which can help brands stand out and perform better during the busy holiday season. Comment-enabled ads reveal real-time audience reactions, creator link-outs make it easier for viewers to move from discovery to purchase, and wider mobile web placement increases reach when shopping demand is highest.
The big picture. As more people watch short-form video across screens, YouTube is positioning Shorts as the platform that blends creator authenticity with measurable performance – a pitch aimed squarely at holiday-focused advertisers.
What’s next. Advertisers could benefit from YouTube’s more interactive, creator-friendly Shorts ads, which can help cut through the noise and turn attention into holiday sales.
Google’s announcement. New updates to YouTube Shorts will help brands maximize their holiday budgets.
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