Google's new video ad format doesn't need YouTube

Advertisers and agencies can now reach more Google platform audiences with video ads.

Outstream is the latest video ad format from Google that is purpose-built for mobile apps and mobile websites, and not tied to YouTube.

Appearing in banner ads, interstitials, in-feed, with placements for mobile web and app native, the new format offers advertisers and agencies the potential to reach audiences that may not be active on YouTube.

Google's video partners consist of mobile apps and publisher sites that are the exclusive destination for the new ad unit, which advertisers and agencies may purchase based on Google's viewability standards on viewable CPM.

“When outstream video ads come into view on a mobile screen, they begin to play with the sound off,” writes Armen Mkrtchyan, product manager of video ads, in a post. "After that, a user can tap the ad to turn sound on and restart the video from the beginning, or simply keep scrolling."

Mkrtchyan names Hong Kong Tourism Board as a Google advertiser that is using outstream video ads to raise awareness and achieve reach in a cost-effective way, crediting the format with delivering 30% incremental reach with a 40% lower cost per completed video view and 85% lower CPM.

The day after this update was announced the latest Chrome browser was launched, with blocked autoplay video ads as the key feature.