A visual guide for publishers & media owners

Ad Formats

See how a placement appears in your media and what needs to happen for that ad to become measurable revenue.

11 formats

Web & Apps

Compare page, feed, launch and between-task placements. The useful opportunity depends on the interface you control and the experience people came for.

Display ad between article sections, shown on desktop and mobile.

In-Content Display

A labeled display ad sits between sections of a page, alongside the material the visitor came to read or use.

Where it fits

Article, community and utility websites with space for a placement that preserves reading and task flow. Reserve the space so loading an ad does not move the page around.

What we review

Actual renders, measurable viewability, page speed, layout stability and net revenue by page template.

Discuss this format
Two alternatives: a top leaderboard and a desktop sidebar unit.

Leaderboard & Sidebar

A display ad appears near the top of a page or in a desktop side column. Its position alone does not establish that someone saw it.

Where it fits

Websites and owner-controlled browser-game portals. Check the responsive layout: a side rail may disappear on a phone, and a top unit may load after the visitor passes it.

What we review

Visible exposure, fill, creative fit, page quality and who owns the portal placement.

Discuss this format
Sponsored card within a content feed, with its paid-content disclosure.

Native In-Feed

A sponsored image, headline or card follows the layout of a feed while remaining clearly identified as advertising.

Where it fits

Owned feeds on websites, mobile apps and desktop apps. The creative should fit the feed without hiding its paid status or interrupting discovery.

What we review

Correct rendering, disclosure, engagement quality, frequency, user experience and net yield.

Discuss this format
The bottom anchor stays in place as the article scrolls.

Sticky Anchor & Rail

An ad stays at the bottom or side of the viewport while the visitor scrolls. It must leave content and essential controls usable.

Where it fits

Longer website sessions with enough screen space and an appropriate dismiss or interaction pattern. Test the unit on real mobile layouts and compare it with ordinary display.

What we review

Visible exposure, collisions, frequency, complaints and incremental net revenue, without repeatedly counting one persistent display.

Discuss this format
A full-page ad sits between two article views; the close control is visible.

Web Interstitial

A full-page ad appears at a natural transition, with a clear route to the next page or game.

Where it fits

Eligible multi-step websites and browser-game portals. Use an existing break in the journey rather than creating an interruption just to show an ad.

What we review

Eligible transitions, successful renders, frequency, exits, continuation and net revenue.

Discuss this format
Outstream in an article on the left; in-stream inside a programme player on the right.

Outstream Video

A video ad plays in its own page or feed unit, outside a video programme player. Playback and sound should be clear to the reader.

Where it fits

Websites and owned app feeds with a suitable slot. An ad before an editorial video is in-stream; a standalone ad within an article is outstream.

What we review

Exposure, starts, sound state, meaningful completion, page disruption and net yield.

Discuss this format
Choose Watch ad or Not now; the example then shows playback and article access.

Web Rewarded Access

A visitor chooses to watch an ad in exchange for a stated website or browser-game benefit. The offer is clear before they decide.

Where it fits

Owned websites and H5 games with a real value exchange, supported delivery and a suitable buying route. A full-screen ad without that choice and benefit is not rewarded access.

What we review

Offers, opt-ins, eligible completions, reward grants, return use and net revenue.

Discuss this format
Banner above navigation on the left; a disclosed sponsored feed card on the right.

App Banner / Native

A compact banner uses part of an app screen; a labeled native card fits an app feed. The two serve different screen designs.

Where it fits

Mobile apps with a stable task or discovery view and enough space to keep navigation usable. Mobile games also need a separate review of gameplay and player economics.

What we review

Actual shows, device fit, interactions, session depth, retention and net yield.

Discuss this format
App launch, app-open ad, then the app home screen.

App-Open

An ad appears when an app launches or returns to the foreground, before the visitor reaches an eligible home experience.

Where it fits

Mobile apps with a supported launch or return flow. Plan preload, timeouts and fallback so a failed ad does not leave the user waiting. This differs from an ad between completed tasks.

What we review

Eligible opens, preload success, show rate, launch delay, quick exits, return use and net revenue.

Discuss this format
Completed workout, interstitial with a close control, then the next workout.

Between-Task Interstitial

A full-screen ad appears after a task finishes and before the next begins, with a clear return path.

Where it fits

Mobile apps and supported, app-controlled desktop software flows. Keep it out of payments, urgent actions and unfinished work.

What we review

Natural transitions, loading time, shows, closes, task continuation, retention and net yield.

Discuss this format
A sponsored desktop-app panel offers an optional video to unlock a stated feature.

Desktop-App Panel / Optional Reward

A labeled panel appears inside desktop software. A supported optional video may instead unlock a clearly stated benefit.

Where it fits

Desktop apps whose owner controls the placement and can preserve the user’s work. A hidden panel or minimized window does not establish visible exposure; this is separate from browser or operating-system inventory.

What we review

Active window and panel state, rendering, software performance, reward grants where relevant, user feedback and net income.

Discuss this format
Selection & delivery

How an ad reaches the audience

A format describes the placement the audience experiences. Geographic selection, insertion and receiver replacement describe how a creative is chosen and delivered. Availability depends on the placement owner and supported systems.

Geographic ad selection

Supported digital requests can use permitted market signals to select creative for the same web, game, video or audio placement. DOOH uses a screen’s fixed location and schedule. A common broadcast feed carries a shared ad; separate regional feeds or supported replacement need a different path.

Dynamic video insertion

A compatible IP player or stream inserts selected creative at an eligible VOD, CTV, FAST or live break. Client-side and server-side paths need break signals, decision time, device support, fallback and playback evidence. In-stream spots, pods and live breaks describe the visible formats.

Dynamic audio insertion

A supported stream or podcast fills an eligible audio slot as listening content is delivered. Cueing, hosting and usable request signals determine the route. A download does not prove a complete listen. Compare streamed audio, podcast slots and the separate shared playout of a broadcast radio spot.

Addressable replacement & feed variants

Everyone receiving the same linear or satellite feed sees its transmitted spot. Separate regional feeds can differ. Supported DTH receiver replacement substitutes an ad at a designated break for an eligible household, while other receivers use the common feed or defined fallback. IP insertion is a separate delivery path.

One programme, three distinct ad delivery paths
COMMON FEED

Programme + Ad A

Viewer 1 · Ad AViewer 2 · Ad A

One transmitted feed carries the same spot. A separately produced regional feed is another feed.

Explore the linear feed spot
DTH REPLACEMENT

Common feed · Ad A

Compatible receiver · Ad BOther receiver · Ad A

An eligible operator-controlled break can be replaced on a supported receiver; the common feed remains the fallback.

Explore DTH replacement
IP VIDEO · DYNAMIC INSERTION

IP stream + break cue

Eligible session A · Ad AEligible session B · Ad B

A supported player or stream selects creative for the session. This is a different delivery path from a satellite receiver.

Explore dynamic video insertion