Where Should You Place Your Video Ads?

Video advertising is one of the most powerful ways to connect with your audience, but choosing the right platform to place your ads can make all the difference in engagement, reach, and ROI. With options like TV, streaming services, social media, and digital ads, each platform has its own strengths depending on your target audience and marketing goals.

So how do you decide where to place your video ads? Let’s break down the key platforms and their best use cases.

1. Traditional TV Advertising: Best for Mass Awareness

TV advertising has long been a dominant force in marketing, offering broad reach and credibility. If you’re targeting a large, general audience—such as regional or national customers—TV ads can be highly effective.

Best For: Established brands, product launches, and businesses targeting older demographics.

Pros: High visibility, trust-building, and broad reach.

Cons: Expensive, harder to track engagement, and less targeted than digital alternatives.

Example: A national retail brand running a Super Bowl ad to maximize exposure.

2. Streaming Services (OTT & CTV): Best for Targeted Brand Awareness

Streaming platforms like Hulu, YouTube TV, and Roku offer Connected TV (CTV) and Over-the-Top (OTT) advertising, allowing brands to reach audiences who have cut the cable cord. These platforms provide TV-quality reach with digital targeting capabilities, making them a strong middle ground between traditional TV and online ads.

Best For: Brands looking for premium ad placement with better targeting than traditional TV.

Pros: Data-driven targeting, premium content association, and measurable results.

Cons: Can be costly, limited interactivity, and potential for ad-skipping.

Example: A local healthcare provider running an ad before a Hulu original series, targeting families in their area.

3. Social Media Ads: Best for Engagement & Direct Conversions

With billions of active users, social media is the go-to platform for video ads aimed at engagement and action. Whether it’s short-form videos for TikTok and Instagram Reels, in-feed Facebook ads, or professional B2B content on LinkedIn, social platforms offer unparalleled targeting and interactivity.

Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses, direct-to-consumer brands, and service-based businesses.

Pros: Cost-effective, highly targeted, interactive, and great for brand awareness & conversions.

Cons: Shorter attention spans, ad fatigue, and algorithm changes can impact visibility.

Example: A fitness brand running Instagram and TikTok ads showcasing a workout challenge with a direct link to sign up.

4. YouTube Ads: Best for Searchable, Long-Form Content

As the world’s second-largest search engine, YouTube is ideal for video ads that educate, entertain, or provide solutions to customer problems. With skippable and non-skippable ads, bumper ads, and in-stream options, YouTube allows brands to target specific interests and behaviors.

Best For: Educational brands, product demos, and businesses looking to capture engaged, long-form audiences.

Pros: High searchability, detailed audience targeting, and flexible budget options.

Cons: Competition is high, and some users skip ads quickly.

Example: A SaaS company running a pre-roll ad before relevant YouTube tutorials about productivity.

Which Platform is Best for Your Business?

The best platform depends on your audience, budget, and marketing goals. Here’s a quick guide:

• If you need mass exposure → Traditional TV or streaming services.

• If you want engagement & direct response → Social media ads (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook).

• If you want long-term visibility → YouTube and Google video ads.

Many businesses see the best results when combining multiple platforms—for example, using YouTube for education, Instagram for engagement, and streaming services for broad reach.

Final Thoughts: Get the Most Out of Your Video Ads

Choosing the right ad placement is just as important as the content itself. Whether you’re targeting a local audience through social media or going big with TV or streaming ads, a well-planned strategy ensures your message reaches the right people at the right time.

Need help creating high-quality video ads tailored to your business? At Make Something Media, we specialize in crafting professional video content for every platform. Let’s bring your brand to life, contact us today!