Google launches self-serve AdWords for video with $50m ad giveaway

Google has opened up its video ad platform to all advertisers.

Previously AdWords for video was available only to large brands or media agencies.

The search giant’s new offering means advertisers only pay for ads that consumers choose to watch. To launch the service, Google is giving away the equivalent value of $50m of its own advertising to encourage businesses to begin using the service, with a $75 credit for up to 500,000 new sign ups.

According to a new post on the official YouTube blog, “YouTube video ads drive a 20% increase in traffic to your website and a 5% increase in searches for your business (Google Campaign Insights, 2011).”