CTV drives massive conversion growth for YouTube in HK

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Hong Kong viewers are moving seamlessly across screens, with connected TV (CTV) emerging as YouTube’s fastest-growing platform in the market, according to YouTube's internal data.

CTV ad conversions in Hong Kong have grown over tenfold year-over-year, driven by internal YouTube data showing the platform reached over two million adults on CTV in March 2026 alone. The shift highlights how CTV has evolved beyond building brand awareness to actively driving consumer conversions.

Speaking on how brands leverage the platform to inspire buying journeys, Michael Yue, managing director and general manager of Google Hong Kong, cited a Kantar survey ranking YouTube as the top video platform for Hong Kong consumers making big, complex, or quick purchase decisions.

Viewers also named YouTube the leading video platform for researching and vetting brands, with 77% stating it helps them make more confident shopping decisions.

YouTube's reach extends across nearly the entire digital population of Hong Kong. Internal data for March 2026 shows YouTube reached over three million people aged 25 to 54—representing more than 99% of online users in that demographic—with the average resident spending over 100 minutes per day on the platform.

Creator authentic connection is central to this commercial impact. Kantar’s research found that 80% of Hong Kong viewers rely on YouTube creators to discover new products, brands, and services, jumping to 87% among Gen Z respondents.

Trust remains high: 85% of surveyed viewers call YouTube the video platform they trust most, and 76% of Gen Z viewers consider creator product reviews to be trustworthy.

“YouTube is part of Hongkongers’ everyday lives, where people come for the authentic perspectives that spark conversations and inspire new interests. The trusted connection between creators and fans is what makes YouTube unique, creating a thriving ecosystem where culture takes shape, viewers discover and decide with more confidence, and brands build meaningful, lasting connections,” Yue said.

Brands are capitalising on this trust by partnering with specialised, high-potential creators. 83% of respondents noted that YouTube offers creators specialising in niche topics, while 79% said it features content unavailable anywhere else.

These recommendations deliver measurable results: 78% of viewers say YouTube has the best product reviews, and 72% report satisfaction with purchases made based on creator input. Globally, advertisers who promoted creator-led videos on YouTube Shorts saw an average 30% increase in conversion lift.

Expanding platform features to enrich viewer experience

To enrich the viewing experience in Hong Kong, the platform has expanded its features to include "YouTube playables" and "Jewels and gifts." YouTube Playables allows viewers to enjoy over 1,000 free, lightweight, and entertaining games directly on YouTube without needing any additional installs. Signed-in viewers can also easily jump right in, save their game progress, and track their all-time best scores across mobile and desktop.

Meanwhile, "Jewels and gifts" features animations that overlay live streams, letting viewers show appreciation, reactions, and expressions to creators in real time. Viewers can buy Jewels in bundles to send gifts, staying engaged in the moment without purchasing for every gift. When viewers send gifts, creators receive Rubies, which represent their earnings.

To make this expansion extra special, two gifts inspired by local Hong Kong culture join the collection. Nothing shows fan support quite like sending a virtual "加餸" (adding an extra dish), and fans can also send a "勁呀" (awesome!) to cheer on their favorite creators.