Implementation guide

Outstream video

Out-stream video ads (non-in-stream)

A video ad that appears in a regular ad space in the middle of the text, without needing a video of your own on the site.

Ad Manager
Ad Exchange
mobile and desktop, in the middle of the page content (outside a video player)

Learn the format Check my site

Desktop

Mobile

Understand it in 1 minute

What outstream video is

Imagine a magazine where, in the middle of a story, one of the pictures moves, like the magic newspapers in the movies. Outstream video is similar: it is a video ad that appears in the middle of the page text, even if the site has no video of its own. Out-stream means outside the stream, that is, outside a video player. The person is reading a news story and, between one paragraph and another, a space appears with a video from the advertiser.

In Ad Manager, Google calls these ads non-in-stream: ads that show outside a video player and have no content video around them. They go into display formats, such as banner and anchor. In practice, a regular ad slot, created with GPT (Google Publisher Tag, Google's code that creates ad slots on the page), can receive a video ad instead of an image. Google shows these ads in the middle of articles and feeds, and says banners with video work on mobile web, on desktop and in apps.

These video ads outside the player are allowed by default. If you do not want them, there is a block called Block non-in-stream video ads, in the Ad Manager protections. It blocks display ads that are VAST or have a video file, such as MP4, including videos outside a player. Google's video policy also says these spaces do not need a declaration: Google itself classifies each one as Standalone, when the ad is not the focus of the page, or Interstitial, when the ad takes up most of the screen. For these two types, the site must use solutions provided by Google, and the IMA SDK is not allowed.

When is it worth it? Outstream is a way to get video ads on text sites, such as blogs and news portals, without having to produce videos. The rules of respect for the person still apply: the ad cannot start on its own before at least half of the space is visible, only one video can play on its own with sound at a time, controls cannot be hidden and, if the space sticks to the screen, there must be a way to close it at all times.

Step by step

How to implement

Use a regular display spaceChoose a display ad unit, the same type used for banners. Google says these video ads go into display formats, such as banner and anchor.
Place the space in the middle of the contentLoad GPT on the page, define the space and place the ad box between the paragraphs of the article or in the middle of the feed, where the In-article and In-feed formats go.
Check the protectionsUnder Brand safety, Protections, check that the Block non-in-stream video ads block is turned off. If it is on, videos outside the player will not get in.
Check the video inventory rulesUnder Inventory, Inventory rules, Video settings, you find the video rules for programmatic demand. They also apply to display inventory, so review the duration and allowed formats.
Follow the autoplay rulesMake sure no video starts on its own before 50% of the space is visible and that only one video plays on its own with sound at a time on the page.

Implemented example

The code and how it looks on screen

The GPT script goes in the head, and the ad box goes between the paragraphs of the article; a video player is not needed.

<head>
  <script async src="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js"
          crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
  <script>
    window.googletag = window.googletag || { cmd: [] };
    googletag.cmd.push(function () {
      googletag
        .defineSlot('/1234567/exemplo', [300, 250], 'anuncio-no-artigo')
        .addService(googletag.pubads());
      googletag.enableServices();
    });
  </script>
</head>
<body>
  <p>Primeiro parágrafo do artigo...</p>

  <!-- Espaço de display no meio do texto: pode receber banner ou vídeo -->
  <div id="anuncio-no-artigo" style="width: 300px; height: 250px"></div>
  <script>
    googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('anuncio-no-artigo'); });
  </script>

  <p>Segundo parágrafo do artigo...</p>
</body>

On desktopIt appears in an ad space in the middle of the text, like a banner, but with a video inside. The anchor format also accepts video on desktop.

On mobileIt appears between paragraphs or in the middle of a feed, in a display space. On mobile, banners and anchors also accept video creatives.

What Google recommends

Do and don't

Allowed

Let display spaces, such as banner and anchor, receive video ads. This is already allowed by default.
Show these ads in the middle of articles and feeds, on mobile web, on desktop and in apps.
Block videos outside the player, if you prefer, with Block non-in-stream video ads in the protections.
Let Google classify the space: ads in places that are not a video player do not need a declaration.
Let the space stick to the screen (sticky), as long as it has a close option that is visible and working at all times.

Not allowed

You cannot use the IMA SDK in Standalone or Interstitial spaces: they must use solutions provided by Google.
The ad must not start on its own before at least 50% of the space is visible.
You cannot have more than one video playing on its own with sound at the same time on the page.
You cannot leave the ad controls covered, hidden or not working.
In a space that sticks to the screen, the close option cannot be hidden, covered or not working.

Tips

To do it right

In banners, Google warns that the video restarts from the beginning when the person turns on the sound for the first time.
Do not use inventory rules to block all video. To opt out entirely, Google points to the protections by ad type.
For native video, those who use the Guided design editor need to create a native video style for the space to be eligible.
The video starts muted when half of the space shows and pauses when it leaves the screen. If the browser blocks autoplay, an image shows and the person clicks to watch.

Watch out

Common errors

Turning on the block without noticing

If someone turned on Block non-in-stream video ads in the protections, video ads stop going into display slots.

Building an ad-only player with IMA

Google policy does not allow the IMA SDK in Standalone or Interstitial spaces. For video outside a player, use the solutions provided by Google, such as display slots.

Hiding the close button

In spaces that stick to the screen, the close option must be visible during the whole ad. Hiding it goes against the policy.

Video playing off screen

The ad can only start on its own with at least 50% of the space visible. Spaces far down the page should not play before they appear.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to have videos on my site?

No. Outstream appears outside a player and has no content video around it. It uses display spaces on the page.

Do I need special code?

A player is not needed. Video ads can come into display spaces created with GPT, as long as the block on video outside the player is not turned on.

What is the difference from pre-roll?

Pre-roll plays inside a player, before a video the person chose to watch. Outstream appears in an ad space on the page, with no content video.

Does it work on mobile?

Yes. Google says banners with video work on mobile web, on desktop and in apps.

Library

Official Google source

Everything on this page follows Google's official documentation. Read it straight from the source:

Does your site use this format the right way?

The audit reads the site as a visitor would, without clicking anything, and shows what to fix.

Run an audit