Overview
Online Video (OLV) advertising delivers in-player video ads across desktop, laptop, and mobile inventory. Ad spots run before (preroll), between (midroll), or after (postroll) video content on publisher and exchange inventory. Specifications vary by device type, ad server, and buying method.
Desktop & laptop
Example format: 16:9 · 1280×720 high resolution
🔒 youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxxxx
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Video Title — Content Playing After Ad
YouTube Channel · 1.2M views
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✚ Desktop & laptop specifications
| Spec | Details |
|---|
| Format | Recommended: uncompressed or lossless (QuickTime, AVI). Also accepted: .asf, .dv, .mpg, .mp4, .mov, .wmv, .3gp, .3gp2, WebM, VPAID SWF. For WebM use VP8 codec. | | Duration | 6s, 15s, 30s, 60s, 90s+. 5s and 30s recommended. Video must be trimmed to length with no slates, leaders, dissolves, or countdowns. | | Dimensions | 16:9 - 640×360 (low), 854×480 or 1024×576 (medium), 1280×720 or 1920×1080 (high)
4:3 - 640×480 (low/medium), N/A (high) | | Max File Size | 500 MB | | Companion Banner | 160×600, 300×250, 728×90, 300×600 | | Ad Serving | VAST 2.0 (recommended), VAST 3.0, VAST 4.0 |
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Mobile & tablet
Mobile example: 16:9 · 640×360 | Tablet example: 16:9 · 854×480
Advertisement
Your Video Ad
Video Title — Content Playing After Ad
YouTube Channel · 1.2M views
Advertisement
Your Video Ad
Video Title — Content Playing After Ad
YouTube Channel · 1.2M views
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✚ Mobile & tablet specifications
| Spec | Details |
|---|
| Format | Recommended: uncompressed or lossless (QuickTime, AVI). Also accepted: .asf, .dv, .mpg, .mp4, .mov, .wmv, .3gp, .3gp2, WebM. | | Duration | 6s, 15s, 30s. 6s and 15s recommended. Video must be trimmed to length with no slates, leaders, dissolves, or countdowns. | | Aspect Ratio | 16:9 - 640×360 (min), 1920×1080 (recommended)
4:3 - 480×360 (min), 640×480 (recommended) | | Companion Banner | 320×50, 300×50, 300×250 | | Ad Serving | VAST 2.0, MRAID. Use VAST 2.0 for in-app. |
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Common specifications
✚ Video & audio requirements
| Spec | Details |
|---|
| Max File Size | 500 MB |
| Bitrate | Minimum 10 Mbps |
| Frame Rate | 23.98 or 29.97 fps |
| Audio | 16–24 bit, 192–256 kbps |
✚ Third-party ad serving
| Spec | Details |
|---|
| Supported Servers | All major ad servers including CM360, MediaMind (Sizmek), Innovid, Pointroll, and others. Contact your Account Manager for additional requirements. |
| VAST | VAST 2.0 (recommended), VAST 3.0, VAST 4.0 |
✚ Best practices & SSL
| Spec | Details |
|---|
| Best Practices | Use the largest codec available. Common baseline: 640×360 10 MB MP4 or WebM. Video must be trimmed to length with no slates, leaders, or countdowns. |
| SSL | All tags, pixels, and libraries must be secure (https) or protocol agnostic. Non-secure tags may cause delivery issues. |
⚠ Notes
- For additional video duration contact your Account Manager.
- For additional third-party ad servers and dynamic creative contact your Account Manager.
- All tags, pixels, and libraries must be secure (https) or protocol agnostic.
FAQs
What video formats are supported for OLV advertising?
OLV advertising accepts uncompressed or lossless formats such as QuickTime and AVI. Additional supported formats include MP4, MOV, WMV, WebM, ASF, DV, MPG, 3GP, and 3GP2.
What VAST versions are supported for OLV ads?
OLV advertising supports VAST 2.0, VAST 3.0, and VAST 4.0. VAST 2.0 is the recommended standard.
Why is an OLV ad creative rejected?
An OLV ad creative may be rejected if the video exceeds 500 MB, contains slates or countdowns, or uses non-secure assets or tags.
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