YouTube Viewers Choose the Best Ads of 2018

The results are in for YouTube's annual viewer poll on the best ads of 2018, and they might surprise you - with some of the biggest hitters at industry award shows this year, like Apple Welcome Home, being pipped to the post by relative outsiders. 

A total of 42 finalists were split across seven categories, including comedy, gaming and ultra-short (six-second) formats. Read on to find out which ads emerged triumphant, and to watch the shortlists in full, click here.

The YouTube Ad That Deserves Best Picture 

Winner: Gatorade Heart of a Lio

Agency: TBWACHIATDAY Los Angeles

The YouTubeAd That Turns an Ad into Action

Winner: Nectar Mattress Make America Sleep Again

Agency: BlackBoard Studios

The YouTube Ad That Rewrites the Rules 

Winner: Bonobos Evolve The Definition

Agency: Observatory

The YouTube Ad That Has Six Appeal

Winner: Groupon Save Money On Groupon

Agency: O’Keefe Reinhard & Paul

The YouTube Ad That Makes Me Laugh

McDonald's Speechless Thoughts With Charles Barkley

Agency: We Are Unlimited

The YouTube Ad That Taught Me

Winner: Nintendo: Nintendo Labo - Make, Play, Discover

Agency: Leo Burnett

The YouTube Ad That Frees Your Inner Gamer

Winner: World of Warships You Haven't Played World of Warships Yet?!

Agency: Created in-house