Summary
Google AI eliminates the need for mid-flight format mix adjustments in Video reach campaigns. You load in-stream, in-feed and Shorts assets into one ad group with Efficient reach, and the system shifts delivery towards whichever format is buying unique reach most cheaply. The team keeps control of creative and targeting, not of the daily format split.
Nitin Batra is a Google Video Ads certified professional who plans and runs YouTube reach and awareness campaigns in Google Ads, including multi-format Video reach setups.
Last updated: August 23, 2026
In Video reach campaigns, Google AI automatically distributes budget across in-stream, in-feed and Shorts placements, which eliminates the need for mid-flight format mix adjustments by the marketing team.
- It creates new video assets from scratch.
- It allows for quick bid adjustments for any format mix.
- It selects the YouTube channel for the ad.
- It eliminates the need for mid-flight format mix adjustments.
The correct answer is: It eliminates the need for mid-flight format mix adjustments.
Key Takeaways
- – Google AI in Video reach campaigns eliminates the need for mid-flight format mix adjustments by reallocating delivery across formats automatically.
- – The Efficient reach option lets you load in-stream, in-feed and Shorts assets in one ad group so the system can shift spend between them.
- – The optimisation goal is unique reach at the lowest cost, so the format that reaches new people cheaply gets more of the budget.
- – Google AI does not create new video assets or pick specific YouTube channels for you. Creative and any channel or placement exclusions remain your job.
Where do I enable the multi-format setup in a Video reach campaign?
Create a new campaign in Google Ads, select the Awareness and consideration goal, choose Video as the campaign type, then pick Video reach campaign. Inside that, select Efficient reach, which allows skippable in-stream, in-feed and Shorts ads in the same ad group. Add one asset per format and the system handles distribution from there.
Can I still see how each format performed if the mix is automated?
Yes. In the campaign, go to the Videos or Ads section and add the Ad type or Format column, and you will see impressions, views and cost broken out by in-stream, in-feed and Shorts. Use this for creative learnings, not for manual rebalancing. If one format is underperforming, the fix is usually a better asset, not a budget lever.
Does Google AI write or edit the video creative in a Video reach campaign?
No. You supply the video assets, and the system only decides which of your existing assets and formats to serve and how often. Asset generation is a separate set of tools and is not what a Video reach campaign does. Creative quality, length and aspect ratio for Shorts are still your responsibility.
What is the most common mistake teams make with Video reach campaigns?
Uploading only one horizontal in-stream asset and then wondering why Shorts inventory is not being used. Without a vertical or square asset, the system has nothing to serve in that placement, so the format mix cannot optimise properly. Give it at least one asset per format and enough budget and time before judging results.