Best In-stream or Pre-roll Ad Networks for Publishers

The Instream advertising adoption rates continue to rise, as more advertisers are allocating budget to digital video advertising to capitalize on the growing popularity of online video consumption. In 2024, brands spent $30.10 billion on streaming advertisements, compared to $60.56 billion on traditional TV ads. Instream ads are video ads that play while a user is watching video content online. These can play before, after, or in the middle of a video. If you are a video content creator, these ads can be an additional source of revenue. To get the best video ads, you can use the services of an in-stream or video ad network. One of the most popular formats of the instream ads which accounts for more than 60% of ad delivery is pre-roll ads. Pre-roll, as the name suggests, play before the video rolls. 

Pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll forms the core of instream advertising. Some of the formats include skippable and non-skippable ads. As a publisher, even if you don’t have video content on your website or blog, you can utilize a video player with a video library in order to run video ads. Instream ads usually have a higher demand in the global tier one markets and the revenues can skyrocket during peak seasons. Before we deep dive into some of the best in-stream or pre-roll ad networks, let us take a look at the added benefits of this ad format for publishers. 

***Image Source: Advant Technology

Benefits of In-stream or Pre-roll  Ad Networks

In-stream and pre-roll ad networks offer several benefits to publishers:

• Increased Revenue: Publishers can earn revenue by displaying in-stream and pre-roll ads on their videos. Advertisers typically pay a higher rate for video ads than for other ad formats, which can increase the revenue potential for publishers. CPMS of instream ads range between $2-$20 based on geography, niche, and traffic quality, 
  
• Improved User Experience: In-stream and pre-roll ads are integrated with video content and are typically skippable after a few seconds. This can provide a better user experience compared to other ad formats, such as banner ads or pop-ups.
• Control over Ad Placement: Publishers have control over the placement of in-stream and pre-roll ads, which can help ensure that ads are relevant to their audience and are displayed at appropriate times. This can help maintain the trust and loyalty of their viewers. Additionally, publishers can make the same revenue with ads running on their video player against a number of banner ads stretched all over the webpage.
• Multiple ad options: You have the option to assign multiple instream ads within your video content. The ads can be injected in the beginning of your content, somewhere in the middle or towards the end of your video. Based on the placement of your ad, we call it pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll advertising. As a publisher, you have the option to choose any or all of these video ad formats. 

How to Choose the Best In-stream or Pre-roll Ad Networks?

Choosing the best in-stream or pre-roll ad network can be a daunting task. You need to ensure there is minimal latency, better page speed metrics, high engagement, and low bounce rate. Thereby, we have created a list of deciding parameters to consider when selecting an in-stream or pre-roll ad network. 

• Ad Formats: In-stream and pre-roll ads come in different formats, such as skippable and non-skippable ads. Consider the ad formats that will work best for your audience, and choose an ad network that offers those formats.
  
• Ad Quality: Choose a video ad network that offers engaging video ads from leading DSPs and ad exchanges.
• Revenue Share: Consider the revenue share offered by the ad network and compare it to other ad networks in the market. Most video ad networks take a revenue cut of 20-30%. 
• Reputation and Trustworthiness: Choose an ad network that has a good reputation in the industry and is known for its reliability and trustworthiness.
• Support and Customer Service: Look for an ad network that offers good customer support and can help you with any issues or questions you may have.
• Video Player: Consider choosing a network that offers integrated and customizable video players that can be tweaked as per your website’s requirements.
• Payment Duration: Choose a network that pays publisher earnings in NET-30, NET-45, NET-60 days. Anything beyond this duration would result in accumulated earnings and can negatively impact the publisher's cash flow.
• Onboarding Time: A swift onboarding process makes things faster and you can see your CPM lifts within a week. Choose a network that boasts of quick onboarding and in-house demand.