VAST provides a common framework for streaming ads to be served to video players. VPAID adds rich interactivity and enables video players to preload content.
Video Ad Serving Template is a specification released by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) that sets a standard for communication requirements between ad servers and video players by using XML.
No matter how the ad is served – via DFP, DCM, or an ad server – the video player understands the instructions and displays the content.
With so many platforms, operating systems and device types, and the technological fact that serving video to players versus browsers is different, VAST provides a common protocol. It does not matter where the ad is played, it will be understood:
- If an ad should play
- How should it be presented, for example, its aspect ratio or with sound
- How long it should last
- If it can be skipped
- Where to find it
- What it should click through to and other properties
Broadsign Ayuda is VAST 2.0 compliant.
The Video Player-Ad Interface Definition is a specification released by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB). It sets a standard for communication interaction between ad units and video players. It enables interactivity and measuring of how well a video ad does through engagement tracking. Codes running within video players can:
- Add overlays and other features such as counting triggered responses.
- Provide POP feedback so that stakeholders can be certain ads are playing.
- Track of individual ad performance.
Broadsign Ayuda supports playing ads that are wrapped in VPAID but the feature set is constrained because the Splash Player is used to display content on large billboards. This does not need interactive components.
The main benefit is that VPAID files usually report richer metrics on ad performance. Broadsign Ayuda is interoperable with third parties that use VPAID, such as MOAT.
Administrators should be aware that some VPAID files are slow to send back metrics. For MOAT, ads had to be completely finished otherwise the statistics would not count the ad as completely played.
Note: VPAID ads that are delivered via VAST tags are often referred to as VPAID tags.
The Video Ad Serving Template is a specification released by the Interactive Advertising Bureau.