Ad Formats Archives - Broadstreet Information Center

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Short URL

This "ad" takes a destination URL and converts it to a short URL, like popular link shortening services. You can provide your own domain name or use the default, xprss.io. It tracks clicks like any other ad format. It is useful for linking to news content and sponsored content on social media.

The Fundraiser

A classic thermometer / gauge for indicating how much money has been raised for a fundraiser.

Exit Intent Popup

This is an ad that appears as a popup/overlay in the middle of the page when the user moves their mouse toward the address bar, which indicated that they may be deciding to leave the website or page. Because this ad is dependent on mouse events, it's generally best suited for desktop/laptop devices.

Chat Message

Display a simple, text only message to the user via a chat-style message window on the bottom right of the screen. Positions horizontally centered on mobile.

The Shoutout

A simple, text-only ad that looks like a speech or chat bubble. The width and height are fixed, so it can fit into tight space.

Instant Facebook / Landscape

Create an ad from a public Facebook page. This pulls in the latest original post (no shares or links) from a Facebook feed once per hour. It displays the photo, caption, and optionally, comments and like information on the post. The Facebook page *must* have its age restrictions set to 13+ and have no country restriction. It only pulls in posts by the admin of the page, but will pull in comments by other users.

Instant Twitter / Landscape

Create an ad from an Twitter account username. This pulls in the latest from a *public* Twitter feed once per hour. It displays the photo, caption, and optionally, comments and like information on the post.

Instant Snapshot / Landscape

Create an ad from simple text, a photo, and a logo.

Sticky Note – Text Only

A text-only ad which appears as a sticky note affixed to the top right of the screen. The sticky can be positioned relative to the top right corner, and rate-limited to prevent users from seeing it too often.

Remotely Hosted Image Ad

Use this when you do not want to upload an image for the ad, but need to reference a URL where the image is already hosted instead. Supports high-resolution images too. Automatic replacement for URLs with [timestamp] macros.

Instant Instagram / Landscape

A horizontal ad that converts to vertical on mobile. Create an ad from an Instagram account username. This pulls in the latest from a public Instagram feed once per hour. It displays the photo, caption, and optionally, comments and like information on the post.

Split Reveal

An ad, that when hovered over, splits to reveal a message. Useful for standard banners with additional info, or perhaps plain images that intrigue users to engage with the ad. Any sized image can be used.

Instant Snapshot

Create an ad from simple text, a photo, and a logo.

Instant Video

Create a video ad from a YouTube URL, Vimeo URL, or URL to a raw video file. In some cases (such as Instagram), URLs to posts with videos may be entered. You may also supply text, a photo, and logo.

Instant Video (Upload)

Create a video ad from a web-ready uploaded video. You may also supply text, a photo, and logo.

Instant Instagram

Create an ad from an Instagram account username. This pulls in the latest from a *public* Instagram feed once per hour. It displays the photo, caption, and optionally, comments and like information on the post.

Instant Facebook

Create an ad from a public Facebook page. This pulls in the latest post from a Facebook feed once per hour. It displays the photo, caption, and optionally, comments and like information on the post. The Facebook page *must* have its age restrictions set to 13+ and have no country restriction. It only pulls in posts by the admin of the page, but will pull in comments by other users.

Instant Twitter

Instant Text Message (SMS)

An ad that pulls in text and picture messages sent to 609-207-7067 from a phone number that you specify. Any text or picture messages will display in the ad within 20 minutes.

Sneaker

This is an ad format that "sneaks" up from the bottom of the page. The actual banner or image can be any size, but wide and short ads (728x90s) probably work best. This ad can also be rate limited, so you can minimize the annoyance to users.

Slide In

This is an ad format that slides into view when the user scrolls down through a certain % of the page. If the page isn't long or doesn't require scrolling, it doesn't appear. This will absolutely get the user's attention. Use for a high-paying client or to promote other content on your site (keep the reader engaged). The actual banner can be any size. Thinner banners work better on mobile.

Real Estate Gallery

An ad format specifically for real estate agent selling property (although it could be used for other purposes). It displays a real estate company logo, an agent's name, photo, and a place for images and details of their listing.

Page Peel (Text)

This ad affixes itself to the top right of the screen. When a user hovers over what appears to be a "peeled" part of the page, it peels back even more and reveals a specified text-only message.

Page Peel (Image)

This ad affixes itself to the top right of the screen. When a user hovers over what appears to be a "peeled" part of the page, it peels back even more and reveals an image.

Expandable / Flyout (Beta)

This is an ad which, when hovered over, will expand outward and display a second image in either the top, right, left, or bottom direction. Responsive and mobile friendly. Currently in 'beta', but stable.

Ad of the Day

Just like a standard banner ad, but you can specify different ads/links for different days of the week. Make sure all ads/slides are the same size.

Email Collector Popup

The Amazing 3D Cube / Gallery

This displays 6 images and captions of your choosing in a very slick rotating cube (on the latest browsers). Great for capturing attention, especially when it comes to food items. The cube will accept any photo sizes, but square works best if you don't want any auto-cropping or sizing.

Instant RSS

This ad displays the latest posts from an RSS feed. Almost all websites support RSS feeds, so your advertisers can have their latest posts, news, press releases and more constantly updated.

Inactivity Popup / Break Time

This is an ad that appears as a popup/overlay in the middle of the page when the user is inactive for a specified number of seconds (such as when they switch to another tab or get up for a work break).

Wallpaper (Full Background)

An ad that automatically inserts itself in the full background of the page, commonly known as a "takeover." This offers a ridiculous level of branding and you should charge a lot of money for it. Specs: Each publication is different, and you'll need a site that does not span the full width of the page. You'll generally want to use a 2550x1440 jpg file. Tip: On a desktop, guestimate what % of width the main content well of your site is. If your main content area takes up about 3/5ths of the page at the browser's full size, then you know the ad should have the majority of its graphics/branding outside of the middle 3/5ths of the wallpaper ad.

YouTube™ Ad Popup

Embed a YouTube™ video as an advertisement - but unlike the standard YouTube ad, when the user clicks on the video, it opens and plays in a modal instead of in the sidebar, with an optional message below the embedded video. Set any width or height while being responsive and mobile friendly. It even tracks plays and views in a less-than-perfect but clever manner.

Rich Media Ad Package (zip)

Use this when you have a zip archive which contains the assets for a rich HTML (or HTML5) ad. Useful with Google Web Designer. Note: All assets (css, images, javascript) should sit alongside the main HTML file in the root directory. Nested folders containing files within the root folder will not work.

The Countdown

Countdown to a big event or end of a sale. Doesn't require an image. Displays a customizable and human-readable countdown, such as "7 days, 3 hours, and 10 minutes," which updates

Scratch Off Ad

Just like a lottery scratch-off! Specify a front image that can be scratched and an optional back image that will display underneath the scratched area. You can also enter freeform text to be displayed instead. Beta, but stable.

Click to Call

Like a standard banner ad, but the "link" is to a phone number. On mobile, this will prompt the user to dial the number — on desktop, behavior varies. Different browsers may prompt the user to open different applications (like Facetime) to make a call.

In-Story Ribbon Ad

Designed to sit in the middle of content, like an article. Why? Because sidebar ads get pushed out of view, and this ad won't. In fact, the reader will have to look at it. Looks great on desktop and adjusts to fit mobile nicely. Good for big advertisers and promoting content.

Flipper

A banner ad that, when hovered over, will "flip" to reveal its other side, which is a second banner ad. Impressive and fun. Note: Uses cutting edge browser features, so IE < 10 won't work great.

Vimeo™ Ad

Embed a Vimeo™ video as an advertisement with an optional message below the embedded video. Set any width or height while being responsive and mobile friendly. It even tracks plays and views in a less-than-perfect but clever manner.

YouTube™ Ad

Embed a YouTube™ video as an advertisement with an optional message below the embedded video. Set any width or height while being responsive and mobile friendly. It even tracks plays and views in a less-than-perfect but clever manner.

The Advanced Amazing 3D Cube / Gallery

Lazy Ad (Mock Up)

If you're in a pinch and need a quick ad made, just upload a photo, enter some business details, and voilà, an ad.

Easy Ad Slideshow

Create a slideshow of up to 5 different ads with a configurable time delay in-between slides.

Big Easy Ad Slideshow

Create a slideshow of up to 30 different ads with a configurable time delay in-between slides.

Advanced Ad Slideshow

Create a slideshow of up to 10 different ads with a configurable time delay in-between slides, and separate links per slide

Click to Enlarge

A very simple format which displays an image and a "Click to Enlarge" call to action which will open the image in a new window. Useful for store flyers and circulars. These ads typically get click rates close to 1% depending on various factors.

Roadblock / Popup (Embed)

This is an ad which takes an embed code that appears as a "popup" in the middle of the page, which the user must close. You must size the embed code to fit the popup appropriately. You can choose the frequency for which it should be displayed to the user. By default, it displays once per page load every 5 minutes (300 seconds).

Popunder

A classic popup ad, but it pops in a new window *under* the current screen instead of over. It opens a new window to a specified URL. It can be rate limited and optionally tied to a click event with a selector. Note: Browsers routinely block these types of ads if not invoke by the user. You can work around this by using the "selector" option. Web developers are very familiar with selectors.

Swapper

This is an ad which, when hovered, swaps out the original ad for a different ad for a hover-effect. If your advertiser has more information to convey than can fit in the original ad, this is the guys to use.

Top Ribbon

A ribbon across the top of the page with a message inside it. Useful for announcements, special sponsors. Very customizable.

XPRESS EMCEE / Beat Mixer

A container for XPRESS "Beats." Simply put, this is a Facebook-like news feed that contains advertiser updates from Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, SMS, and more (known as "Beats"). Watch the instructional video to understand how to use this very awesome and innovative tool.

XPRESS Beat – Instagram

An XPRESS Beat for displaying a user's latest Instagram post in an XPRESS Beat Mixer / Container like XPRESS Emcee

XPRESS Beat – Twitter

An XPRESS Beat for displaying a user's latest Twitter post in an XPRESS Beat Mixer / Container like XPRESS Emcee

XPRESS Beat – Facebook

An XPRESS Beat for displaying a user's latest Facebook post in an XPRESS Beat Mixer / Container like XPRESS Emcee

Roadblock / Popup

This is an ad that appears as a "popup" in the middle of the page, which the user must close. You can choose the frequency for which it should be displayed to the user. By default, it displays once per page load every 5 minutes (300 seconds).

XPRESS Beat – SMS

An XPRESS Beat for displaying a user's latest SMS message in an XPRESS Beat Mixer / Container like XPRESS Emcee

Popup

A classic popup ad — the kind that gave the internet a bad name. This ad opens a new window to a specified URL. It can be rate limited and optionally tied to a click event with a selector. Note: Browsers routinely block these types of ads if not invoke by the user. You can work around this by using the "selector" option. Web developers are very familiar with selectors.

Featured Post Promotion

Need to promote an advertiser's sponsored post or perhaps a piece of evergreen content? Paste in the post URL and we'll pull in the image, title, and description and turn it into and ad. This requires that your site implements Open Graph tags (most website, especially Wordpress websites do).

Drag N’ Drop

Get creative and fun, and give the advertiser a high impact ad that readers will remember. This ad which is more like a game. The object is to get the user to drag one object to a designated area. In the default case, it involves giving a dog a bone. It can be reused for anything else: "Throw the bottle in a recycling bin," "feed the turtle some pizza," etc.

Before and After

This is your classic Before & After ad. All you really need is a before picture and after picture. You can optionally supply a logo and additional text. Useful for contractors, landscapers, dentists, and anyone else who benefits from pictures, which really tell the story and deliver impact. It's a flexible ad format which can be in-story or sit in the sidebar.

Third Party Click / View Tracker

Use this when you're dealing with a client who needs you to use their own click and impression tracking URLs. Supports high-resolution images too. Automatic replacement for URLs with [timestamp] macros.

Hosted Flash / SWF

Use this when a you have a (hosted) SWF or Flash ad which doesn't seem to accept click URLs.

Valentines Day Note Game

A fun Valentines day game. If one of your readers has a Valentines day message intended for another reader (like a significant other), they can post their message. Readers can then peruse Valentines day notes and try to enter their own email address to see if the note was intended for them. This ad can be displayed as a box ad ("stacked") or as a horizontal banner of a custom size (not stacked).

Ad with Text

Almost like a standard banner ad, but with a space for additional text beneath the ad.

Text Ad / Trackable Link

A basic text ad that can be served like any other ad. You can choose to omit the description field and just use the click URL as a simple means of tracking clicks.

Coupon

Create a cutout-style coupon with an optional image to promote a sale or event. When your users click on it, they will be taken to a mobile-friendly page where they can print the page or keep it handy on their mobile device.

n-Click

n-Click is a special ad type primarily for announcements. It only takes HTML, but it can be any size. Its special property is that once it's clicked "n" times, the user will never see the ad again until you change the "Key" property (which might be a date or event name, as long as it's unique). We use it in our dashboard to highlight new Stencil types.

Placeholder

Free. Setting up a new website? Use these placeholder ads. Just enter a height and width, and we'll generate an ad of that size on the fly.

The Listing / Table

Use for a house ad or for an advertiser: Easily list movie showtimes, restaurant menus, sports schedules, event schedules, etc. Very flexible and available for many uses.

Lazy / Featured Box Ribbon

Just supply a photo. Put a fancy ribbon on a standard ad and add text. It's best to use this with a box ad greater than or equal to 300 pixels wide. Great for real estate and food specials.

High Resolution Ad

Use this when a standard ad image look fuzzy in its current state. For a 300x250, for example, upload a 600x500 ad and set a width of 300. The height will stay proportional to the original image.

Advanced Coupon

Just like the standard coupon, but with more options. Create a cutout-style coupon with an optional image to promote a sale or event. When your users click on it, they will be taken to a mobile-friendly page where they can print the page or keep it handy on their mobile device.

Conversion Tracker

Track conversions for one or more campaigns. Limit by age, conversion status, and optionally receive emails when conversion take place.