YouTube advertising is paid placement for your video or short-form content on YouTube (and sometimes Google video partners) bought through Google Ads, and yes, it’s considered PPC even though you can pay per view, impression, click, or conversion.
When most business owners say “PPC,” they mean any auction-based ad platform where you set a budget, choose targeting, and pay only when a defined action happens (click, view, or conversion) instead of paying a flat fee for a spot. YouTube fits that model because it runs in the Google Ads auction, uses bidding, and charges based on the pricing option you pick.
What counts as YouTube advertising?
YouTube advertising includes video ads that show before, during, or after videos (in-stream), ads that appear in the YouTube feed/search (in-feed), Shorts placements, and connected TV placements when viewers watch YouTube on a TV device. You choose your objective (awareness, leads, sales), set targeting (location, audiences, keywords, topics, placements), and Google Ads serves your ads when you win the auction for that viewer.
Is it “PPC” if you pay per view?
In everyday marketing language, yes. “PPC” is the umbrella category most people use for paid search and paid auction ads, not a strict billing-only definition. On YouTube you’ll often pay per view (CPV) or per 1,000 impressions (CPM), and in some campaign types you can optimize toward clicks (CPC) or conversions (CPA). The point is you’re paying based on performance events inside an auction system, which is why YouTube ads are typically managed by the same team that manages Google Ads.
| What you want | Common YouTube approach | How you’re billed | When you get charged |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awareness and reach | In-stream, Shorts, non-skippable, bumper style creative | CPM | After your ad is served as an impression |
| Engaged video views | Skippable in-stream and similar view-focused setups | CPV | When someone watches long enough to count as a view or interacts with the ad (many formats count a view at 30 seconds, or the full ad if shorter) |
| Website traffic | Video ads with strong calls-to-action and landing pages | CPC or CPV (depends on setup) | When someone clicks through, or when a view threshold is met (varies by format) |
| Leads and bookings | Conversion-focused video campaigns (lead form, calls, website conversions) | CPA (or “maximize conversions” style bidding) | When a tracked conversion happens (form submission, call, booking request, purchase) |
What this means for a local Orlando business
If you serve Orlando, Winter Park, Kissimmee, or other Central Florida areas, YouTube can work well when you geo-target tightly (zip codes, radius around your office, or specific neighborhoods) and match the offer to high-intent services. Examples: emergency dentist availability, same-week HVAC repair, pest control subscription promos, personal injury consultation intake, or a real estate home valuation offer. The biggest win is often staying in front of people who are already researching and then nudging them to call or book.
What usually decides whether YouTube performs: your targeting, your conversion tracking, and your creative. If your video starts slow, viewers skip. If your landing page is unclear or mobile-hostile, clicks do not turn into leads. Our PPC management work typically pairs YouTube with clean conversion setup so you can see what you paid and what you got back.
Quick practical tips before you spend money
Start with one clear goal (calls, form fills, booked consults) and one offer. Use short, direct creative: hook in the first 2 seconds, say what you do, say where you serve, and give one next step. Track conversions properly before judging results; if you are not measuring leads, you are guessing. If you want to compare results month to month, the same mindset we use in SEO metrics to track applies here too: focus on lead volume, lead quality, and cost per lead, not vanity numbers like views alone.
If you do not already have strong video assets, that is fixable. We often pair ad setup with UGC-style video production so the content feels natural on YouTube and Shorts while still pushing a clear offer.
Want a fast gut-check? Tell us your service, your service area in Central Florida, and your main conversion goal, and we’ll tell you whether YouTube should be a primary channel or a support channel alongside search, plus what tracking you should have in place (see tools to measure performance for the tracking mindset).
