How do you upload YouTube channels and videos with Google Ads Editor?
Part of Google Ads placements
The short answer
Build one row per channel or video, with the campaign, the ad group and the YouTube ID: the channel ID that starts the ID based channel URL, or the video ID from the watch page. Import it through Account, Import, map the headers, keep the proposed changes, run Check changes, post, then read the posting report.
Key takeaways
- A channel row carries the channel ID from the youtube.com/channel/ URL, never the @handle, custom URL or legacy username.
- A video row carries the video ID as it appears on the YouTube watch page, without timestamps or playlist parameters.
- Video and Display campaigns accept YouTube placements; video campaigns built for conversions lost content targeting in early 2023, and Display image ads never serve on YouTube.
- Editor may accept an ID that does not exist; Google Ads rejects it at posting, so the posting report is the real test.
Which ID format does Google Ads Editor need for YouTube channels and videos?
Google's CSV column reference for Editor (opens in a new tab) lists a Channel ID column, with Channel and YouTube channel ID as alternate headers, and a Video ID column, with video and youtube video id as alternates. Headers must be in English for Editor to recognize them automatically. The reference does not spell out the value itself, so the clearest definition is in the Google Ads API reference (opens in a new tab): a channel criterion holds "The YouTube uploader channel id or the channel code of a YouTube channel."
Definition
- YouTube channel ID
- The fixed string of letters and numbers at the end of a channel's ID based URL, such as UCUZHFZ9jIKrLroW8LcyJEQQ in youtube.com/channel/UCUZHFZ9jIKrLroW8LcyJEQQ. YouTube calls this form the Channel URL (ID-based).
| Item | Value to enter | Where to find it | Values that are not the ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel | The channel ID, such as UCUZHFZ9jIKrLroW8LcyJEQQ | The end of the youtube.com/channel/ URL; channel owners see it under Advanced settings in YouTube settings | youtube.com/@handle, youtube.com/c/ custom URLs and youtube.com/user/ legacy usernames |
| Video | The video ID "as it appears on the YouTube watch page" | The value after v= in the watch page address | Timestamps such as t=, playlist parameters, share links with tracking codes |
| Column header | Channel ID or Video ID, in English | Editor's CSV column reference | Translated headers, which Editor will not map on its own |
YouTube's page on channel URLs (opens in a new tab) explains why the other forms fail as a master record. Handle URLs change whenever the owner changes the handle, new custom URLs can no longer be set up, and legacy username URLs depend on when the channel was created. All of them reach the same channel page, but only the ID based URL contains the ID itself, and YouTube's user and channel ID page (opens in a new tab) says each channel has a unique channel ID.
Which campaign types accept YouTube channel uploads?
A clean file still fails if the destination campaign cannot take YouTube placements. Google's placement targeting page (opens in a new tab) says placements can be added to ad groups in Video and Display campaigns, and its Video campaign targeting page (opens in a new tab) notes that app placements are not supported for Video campaigns.
| Campaign type | Channel and video placements | What to know before importing |
|---|---|---|
| Video, awareness and consideration goals | Yes, in ad groups, as YouTube channels or YouTube videos | The web interface needs at least 10 YouTube channels or videos per ad group to save the campaign (help (opens in a new tab)) |
| Video campaigns that drive conversions | No | Content targeting was removed from them from early 2023, and Video action campaigns were upgraded to Demand Gen by April 2026 (help (opens in a new tab)) |
| Display | Yes, alongside websites and apps | Google notes that "Display image ads don't serve on YouTube" (help (opens in a new tab)), so the ad group needs formats that can run there |
| Demand Gen | Listed as contextual targeting on the Display Network and YouTube channels (help (opens in a new tab)) | Google's help pages disagreed on exclusion levels when checked in October 2026; confirm the exclusion options in the account |
| Performance Max | No placement targeting | YouTube channels and videos can only be kept out through account or manager account exclusions |
How do you upload YouTube channels with Google Ads Editor?
Google's CSV preparation page (opens in a new tab) suggests exporting a CSV from Editor, editing it and importing it back. For YouTube placements, the export shows how the installed version of Editor writes a channel or video row.
Seven steps from approved list to posted placements
- Export one existing YouTube placement. Add a single channel to the target ad group in Editor, export the ad group as CSV, and use that file as the template for every other row.
- Write one row per channel or video. Repeat the campaign and ad group names exactly as Editor shows them, then one channel ID or video ID; Google says each row must describe a single entity.
- Clean the IDs. Match the template's form, remove t= or list= parameters from video IDs, and replace every @handle with the channel's ID.
- Save as CSV with English headers. Editor does not import XLS files; on a Mac, Google suggests saving from Excel as UTF-16 Unicode Text.
- Import and map headers. Select Account, Import, then From file or Paste text, and correct any header the preview misreads; the preview shows only the first 100 rows, but all rows are imported.
- Keep, then run Check changes. Review the proposed changes, keep them, click Check changes in the toolbar and fix every red icon before posting.
- Post and save the report. Post the selected campaigns and copy the posting report into a separate document beside the approved list version.
Can you upload YouTube exclusions in bulk?
Yes, through four documented routes that differ in where the exclusion lives. Google's Editor page on negative sites (opens in a new tab) uses Placements, Negative with Make multiple changes. Its page on updating placements and excluded sites together (opens in a new tab) accepts a Type column with Negative or a minus sign before each excluded entry, but campaign and ad group negatives cannot be updated together with that tool.
| Route | Where the exclusion applies | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editor CSV with Type set to Negative or Campaign negative | One ad group or one campaign | The file doubles as a record of what was excluded and where | Repeats per campaign; does not reach Performance Max |
| Editor Make multiple changes on Placements, Negative | Ad groups or campaigns, chosen by columns or selected destinations | Fast to paste from a spreadsheet | Campaign and ad group negatives must go in separate passes |
| Google Ads web interface, Enter tab | Campaign or ad group, or a placement exclusion list | No file needed; Google allows up to 10,000 exclusions per campaign there | Typed or pasted by hand, with no file kept unless the buyer saves one |
| Scheduled placement exclusion list | Account level list, applied to campaigns | Google's template supports YouTube Channels and YouTube Videos and refreshes from Google Sheets, HTTPS or SFTP | Lists are capped at 65,000 exclusions, and changes must be made in the source file |
The scheduled route is described on Google's page on excluding specific webpages and videos (opens in a new tab), which says a new list can take up to 10 minutes to appear and that advertisers cannot make permanent changes to scheduled lists from Google Ads; edits belong in the source file.
What does a YouTube upload look like on a real brief?
Fictional example
A Chicago watch retailer loads 30 YouTube placements through Editor
A fictional independent retailer of mechanical wristwatches in Chicago and Rockford, Illinois, approves an English YouTube list for a fall Video campaign with an awareness goal: 24 watch review and horology channels and 6 videos about watch servicing. The client also names four giveaway and unboxing channels to keep out.
The buyer exports one channel row from the target ad group as a template and pastes the list into it. Three entries arrive as @handles and one video ID still carries a t= timestamp, so the buyer copies each handle's ID from its youtube.com/channel/ address and trims the timestamp.
Check changes returns no red icons, but at posting one channel row fails: a mistyped ID that Editor accepted and Google Ads rejected. The ad group stays in bold, the buyer fixes the ID, posts again and adds the four exclusions as campaign negatives in a second pass.
How does PlacementGraph prepare a YouTube file for Google Ads Editor?
How do you check imported channels after posting?
Editor's checks and the account's checks are not the same test. Google's Editor page on video campaigns (opens in a new tab) states that "In Google Ads, non-existing placement URLs or video IDs are rejected, but Google Ads Editor may accept them." Its error and warning checks page (opens in a new tab) adds that Editor does not flag all editorial violations. The posting page (opens in a new tab) says campaigns and ad groups with changes that did not post remain in bold type.
After the post, before the flight starts
- No campaign or ad group holding YouTube placements is still in bold in the Editor tree.
- The posting report shows no rejected channel or video IDs, and any rejected ID was corrected and posted again.
- The channel and video count under Content, then Placements, in the Google Ads interface matches the approved list for each ad group.
- Excluded channels show as exclusions at the intended level and none appear as targeted placements.
- The ad group has no topics or content keywords that would widen delivery beyond the uploaded channels.
Google's contextual targeting page (opens in a new tab) says ads show on content matching any of the topics, placements or keywords targeted, which is why stray topics matter. For the website version of this workflow, see Google Ads Editor bulk upload; for results after launch, see the where ads showed report and the placement targeting hub.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace an ad group's whole YouTube list in one step?
Yes. Google's Editor page on removing placements describes a Replace option under Bulk Change Action in Make multiple changes: the existing placements in the destination ad groups are removed and the new list takes their place. Export the old list first so the replaced version is kept on file.
Why did a YouTube channel I imported vanish after posting?
Google says Editor may accept placement URLs or video IDs that do not exist, while Google Ads rejects them. A mistyped ID, or a handle entered where an ID belongs, can pass the import and fail at posting. The ad group stays in bold and the posting report names the failure.
Do music artist channels need extra care as placements?
Google's Video campaign targeting page says that if you target certain YouTube music artist channels, you may have to verify which videos will be included. Check those channels in the Google Ads interface after posting.
Will my Display ads appear on the YouTube channels I upload?
Only in formats that can serve there. Google's page on showing display ads on YouTube notes that Display image ads don't serve on YouTube, so an ad group holding only image ads will not deliver on uploaded channels. A Video campaign is the format built for YouTube.
Sources
- CSV file columns (opens in a new tab)Google Ads Editor Help
- Prepare a CSV file (opens in a new tab)Google Ads Editor Help
- Import a CSV file (opens in a new tab)Google Ads Editor Help
- YouTubeChannelInfo (opens in a new tab)Google Ads API reference
- YouTubeVideoInfo (opens in a new tab)Google Ads API reference
- Understand your YouTube channel's URLs (opens in a new tab)YouTube Help
- Find your YouTube user and channel IDs (opens in a new tab)YouTube Help
- About placement targeting (opens in a new tab)Google Ads Help
- Add targeting to your Video campaigns (opens in a new tab)Google Ads Help
- Add, edit, and copy placements (opens in a new tab)Google Ads Help
- Show your display ad on YouTube (opens in a new tab)Google Ads Help
- Video Action Campaigns are being upgraded to Demand Gen (opens in a new tab)Google Ads Help
- Demand Gen audiences overview (opens in a new tab)Google Ads Help
- Demand Gen Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (opens in a new tab)Google Ads Help
- Create and edit TrueView video campaigns (opens in a new tab)Google Ads Editor Help
- Add negative sites (opens in a new tab)Google Ads Editor Help
- Update placements and excluded sites together (opens in a new tab)Google Ads Editor Help
- Remove placements (opens in a new tab)Google Ads Editor Help
- Exclude specific webpages and videos (opens in a new tab)Google Ads Help
- Error and warning checks (opens in a new tab)Google Ads Editor Help
- Post changes to Google Ads (opens in a new tab)Google Ads Editor Help
- Contextual targeting (opens in a new tab)Google Ads Help
Researched and written by PlacementGraph Research. Read how we research, source and update these pages. Corrections: diana@placementgraph.com.